Christine Horne and Elyssia Giancola know Ruff well. Christine is part of the incoming leadership team, and performed in Ruff’s As We Live It and Portia’s Julius Caesar. Elyssia has worked on our front-of-house team and behind the scenes for three shows. Both are incredibly talented artists who saw Towards Rebirth multiple times. We asked them to share their experience from the audience, and also, offer each other advice, from one Ruffian to another.
Describe Towards Rebirth in five words…
Elyssia:
This is a big storm!!!!!
Alternatively…
Shakespeare would really like it.
Christine:
Blood. Fun. Young. Birds. Home.
How do you think Towards Rebirth was inspired by shakespeare?
Christine:
There was an epicness, a mythicness, (are those real words?) that felt informed by Shakespeare. An examination of our humanity. Discoveries and confessions of deep personal truths.
Elyssia:
One of the things I love about shakespeare is that the themes of the plays are still relevant hundreds of years later. I see a lot of very shakespearean themes running through Towards Rebirth…
…justice (and the fight for justice),
…identity (and the search for identity),
…love (and the longing for love),
…to name a few.
Also.
I think there’s a really interesting connection between how these pieces were created and how Shakespeare wrote his plays.
For months at a time, Shakespeare would have had to contend with the closures of theatre due to plague—
but obviously, he had hope that theatre would return, because he kept writing plays.
In much the same way, Towards Rebirth seems to have been created with a sense of hope for the return of something beloved…
Theatre’s back, ba-by.
How do you think the pieces connect or don’t connect?
Christine:
For me each piece exists in its own universe, but the ways in which they did connect (and I’m reluctant to write about anything that would spoil the surprises) brought the audiences so much joy.
Elyssia:
This is a funny question because the first time I saw the show, I didn’t see a connection between the pieces…
(aside from the obvious relationship to shakespeare).
But throughout the run, I heard so many different audience theories about how the stories connected—
everything from music, to costumes, to text…
…and they’re all correct, of course.
There are a myriad of tiny details that thread the stories together.
But I think the strongest connection is that—
at their core—
these are all stories of people who see that the world can be a better place, and then strive to make it so.
They are stories of people who bring compassion and hope and beauty and joy to their lives, whatever their circumstances may be.
And I think that’s really a reflection on the people who created the pieces.
What surprised you about Towards Rebirth?
Christine:
The artists! Most of them were brand new to me and it was a total delight to see their work.
Elyssia:
I was surprised by how hopeful the show is.
I’ve been somewhat hesitant to see new work lately because I’m nervous it’ll be all about the pandemic.
And I mean—
that’s fair—
the pandemic has been the biggest part of all of our lives for the past 18 months…
…but it’s not always easy to watch my anxieties played out onstage.
Towards Rebirth does not ignore the pandemic by any means, but it’s also not about the pandemic.
It’s very much a piece created by artists who have lived through—
and are living through—
something devastating,
but have come together to make something new and exciting.
What do you think Towards Rebirth is about?
Elyssia:
Every time I watch the show, I discover something different…
…sometimes it’s about compassion for your fellow human (or alien?).
…sometimes it’s about finding the light at the end of the world.
…often it’s about fighting back.
…but it’s also about taking moments to rest.
…and breath. It’s a lot about breath.
…some days I’m captivated by the colours, and textures, and shapes I see;
…other days, I’m fascinated by the words and the rhythms of the text.
I guess I’m saying—
Towards Rebirth is about a lot of different things…
And I’m pretty sure anyone who sees it will walk away singing ABBA.
Christine:
Starting over, and how we want to do that.
Anything you’d like to add?
Christine:
Always be nice to the front of house team.
Elyssia:
Rupture.
Resilience.
Rebirth.
Those were the words around which the three pieces were created.
I’d like to add another “r” word to the mix:
RUFF.
This show is not Ruff’s traditional “shakespeare adaptation in the park”.
BUT.
It was made by Ruffians, so it is bursting at the seams with Ruff’s spirit…
…that’s what makes it brilliant.
Both of you, in various ways, are part of shaping Ruff’s past and future. Christine, what advice would you offer to Elyssia, an early-career artist in Ruff’s community?
Christine:
I think having a strong internal compass is important – be the artist that you want to be, and forge the path that you want to take. There’s huge power in saying “no” to work that doesn’t line up with your values. And keep in touch with us at Ruff! Email me!
And Elyssia, what advice would you offer to Christine, who is about to become part of the leadership team at Ruff?
Elyssia:
Okay, I have a story.
During one of the Towards Rebirth shows, I noticed a young child (maybe eight years old?) watching the show with their family. After awhile, the family drifted over to play in the park, but the child stayed and watched—so engaged, so present. Later on, they told me, “I come to the show every year, so this is really exciting for me.” They were so happy to be there with us.
So what I’m saying is…
The great thing about Shakespeare in the Ruff is that anyone can engage with their shows. No matter where they’re at in life, they can come experience some magic for a little while. There’s a sense of openness and of welcoming that even a pandemic couldn’t squash.
Ruff is about shakespeare, yes. It’s about theatre, yes. And because of that…it’s also—and most importantly—about community.
Which, incidentally, means that you’ve got a whole community behind you!
Cool, right?
I hope you have so much fun.
ABOUT ELYSSIA & CHRISTINE:
Elyssia Giancola is an early-career artist who, according to facebook, is a “top fan” of Shakespeare in the Ruff…she isn’t sure what this means, but she thinks it sounds cool. Elyssia loves Jeopardy and Shakespeare, and she absolutely refuses to make her bed.
Christine Horne (she/her) is a fledgling gardener, excitable bird watcher, and avid reader-aloud of children’s literature. She’s been making theatre for quite some time and is thrilled to be part of the new leadership team at Ruff.
To peak into a creator’s perspective on Towards Rebirth, read desirée leverenz’s blog post!
To register to watch Towards Rebirth or attend the watch party on Oct 14th, click here!