A Shared Origin - 'Convivencia'

This is one of my first posts about Colombia, and my experiences participating in the Origines Project a part of Teatro Itinerante Del Sol's Bio Drama/Dharma Program.

The unique style of Bio Drama/Dharma is a form of theatre interested in connecting back to the sacred indigenous origins of theatre as a form of communion with nature and expression of the soul.

Deeply interwoven with the traditions of the indigenous people from the area – The Muiscas – The play Origines: (Spanish for Origins), explores the interconnectedness that all human beings have through the web of dreams, stories and myths of our ancestors. Such themes and patterns such as the Greek tragedy of Oedipus, the Bhagavad Gita, the history of the Spanish Inqisition and the Conquistadores in South America and Colombia specifically. Carl Jung's theory of Archetypes and symbols of the Tarot are all part of what make the themes in this play so unique. As well as many more intriguing insights and lines of thought.

Teatro Itinerante del Sol, over 30 years in operation, founded and directed by renowned and critically acclaimed actress and dramaturge Beatriz Camargo.

Along with other master trainers and artists from parts of Colombia, The Amazon, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, United States and now Australia.

The Bio Drama School ‘ La Esquela’ is an intensive program of training methods and practices incorporating styles of physical theatre, butoh, Growtowski laboratory training methods, dance, music, voice training, yoga and meditation, as well as traditional theatre styles and methods based in Greek tragedy and theatre in the round. Combined, these methods create a contemporary form of anthropological theatre that is a holistic approach to actor training and performance. The program also incorporates ideas of permaculture and sustainability, often with odd jobs and tasks in the garden. Like a meditation process called 'Tilancia' were you pull parasite plants off the trees whilst meditating on 'negative' aspects or parts of yourself that you'd like to be free of. The director Beatriz also organised for us to plant an Australian Banksia tree while we were there as a celebration and welcome for myself and Jonas. A literal and spiritual connection between the two lands.

Included in the philosophy of Bio Drama is the idea of integrated living, where participants often live together (Convivencia) in a shared dwelling for the duration of a training period or project.

Each day 2 people of the group are to wake up earlier to prepare and ‘clean’ the Maloca (training temple) physically, psychologically and emotionally to begin the day with a new and cleansed energy. 2 other people in the group are also assigned each day to prepare all the meals for the entire group Including breakfast lunch and dinner. Breakfast often comprising of hot chocolate or Tinto (black coffee) and arepas – a traditional bread type patty made from corn flour that you fry and have with eggs or homemade berry or plum marmalade – or a delicious potato soup – also traditional. Lunch: rice or pasta with something like legumes (beans or chick peas) with some kind of meat – or a delicious soup also. Salads containing fruits like mangoes or apples and a freshly squeezed or crushed juice of guava or papaya. Dinner would be left over breakfast or lunch with more hot chocolate or warming drinks.

Such an 'out of this world' experience, not like anything i've ever experienced before. For the entire 5 weeks we were there, we didn't have 1 day off. Often waking up 5am in the morning to begin physical training at 6am after a 20min walk to the Maloca. Then Breakfast around 7:30 - 8am, then work on the play until around 2pm in the afternoon. Then Lunch - Yesss! the best time of the day! (except for the end of the day when you get to hop in bed again!!) after lunch, back to work on the play until sometimes 6pm, 8pm, or even 11pm and then the walk home!! This was the most intense experience - and so draining. Not a whole lot of balance between work and rest. Only work! - that's how they do it in Colombia!

But despite the physical, mental and emotional challenges, it was such a hugely rewarding experience - and I have so much gratitude for what i've been through! What made it possible was the Convivencia - the shared experience with others - the human connections, the support, the friendships and the understanding from others - really made all the difference when you were feeling hopeless, and drained of energy!

We've been invited back to Colombia in September for more performances in Bogota and we've also been invited to a festival in Brazil - So we will be returning in Sept/Oct for a 6 week tour of Origines in Colombia and Brazil - How exciting! I really feel blessed to have been a part of this, and to be able to continue this incredible line of work!

Lilly

(More stories to come soon!)