Emma Crane Jaster

To Know a Veil (Intimately)

admin — Wed, 06 Feb 2013 02:06:31 +0000

After an exciting, albeit crowded, turnout for the show on Jan 18th, Hillyer has invited me back to make the show into a 3 part performance. The first was the most public face of the three- offering the glitz and glam of fashion replete with paparazzi. Now I’m working with the performers to bring the audience in, inviting more of you to see more of us in moments of intimate veilings. See the main page for photos from the first show and get your tickets for the next at veil.brownpapertickets.com

To Know a Veil

admin — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 02:22:03 +0000

I am currently interviewing women for my performance project: To Know a Veil. I have collected interviews from both veiled and unveiled women and am looking to hone in on a set of questions that I might also pose to visitors at the event on January 18, 2013. Meanwhile, here are a few bits from the interviews thus far:

“Basically the unveiling happens the wedding night”

“It would’ve been not that difficult to have this kind of other identity that I could slip into… but I had already lived that life and there was a reason that I found it dissatisfying. So I didn’t want to get stuck in that cycle, and I really feel like my scarf was the only thing that let me not get stuck in that cycle.”

“I think the world has a lot of problems right now and I think one cause of those problems is that Muslims and non-Muslims haven’t gotten a good bridge of communication going… There’s a lot of bad information out there, a lot of intentional mis-information out there and a lot of it has to do with sexual politics and treatment of women and women’s empowerment – that’s a really hot-button issue. When people talk about creeping sharia in the U.S., I think they’re talking about banning alcohol and making women cover their head. It might be that there are other things that may be very important to them but I think that’s what most people hear… I could be wrong.”

“I guess the biggest thing is that I’m normal…so I cover myself but I still- I feel the same way as just any other woman would feel”

Choreographing Our Class at Theater J

admin — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 23:10:51 +0000

I am thrilled to be choreographing Our Class at Theater J for director Derek Goldman. I am getting to work both in the language of dance and gesture while developing a dramaturgical eye by Derek’s side. Read the Washington Post’s critic review about the show and how we are treating the movement in it.

The Suitcase Story

admin — Sat, 28 Jul 2012 00:11:20 +0000

A mysterious suitcase transports our impish heroine through countless adventures to pluck at your heartstrings and tickle your funny bone as she finds her way on life’s path. Told through clown, puppetry, acrobatics, maps and music. This show is family-friendly.

Comedian extraordinaire Baratunde Thurston says:
“Emma Jaster is possibly the most expressive communicator I’ve ever seen. She told a story with her feet in two minutes that was more rich than most people could deliver with their voices in a full hour. To convey without speech is true art, and she is a master practitioner.”

Performed and devised by Emma Crane Jaster
Live music by Matt Pearson

From our audiences:

“Ms. Jaster is a walking poem; expressive from her head to her toes. Literally.”

“Thank you for taking us along on your journey yesterday. We were very moved. You are brilliant! (how DO you do that with your feet!!)”

“We had a lovely time on Sunday. Thank you so much for having and sharing such artistry.”

First performed at the Over The Line Festival at Round House Theater 2012

Over The Line

admin — Tue, 03 Jul 2012 00:54:59 +0000

Getting ready now for the Over the Line Festival at Round House Theatre, Silver Spring July 20-28. I’ll be performing in 2 pieces:

suicide.chatroom by Taffety Punk July 20, 21, 26, 28 Tickets

The Suitcase Story by yours truly, music by Matt Pearson July 22 and 28 at noon Tickets

For those of you that saw Next Time the Neatline in 2010 at The Cornerstore, you will recognize this suitcase and the adventurous heroine (not pictured here). The show is filling up with new tricks and mysteries but there’s still a puppet show in the suitcase and my feet still fall in love while I sleep. This show is fun for all ages- and I don’t mean that as a code for ‘kids show’ I really mean it is meant to be a delight for everyone. And I would love to see you there, giggling.

Fiddler on the Roof

admin — Thu, 31 May 2012 02:08:04 +0000

This summer I am choreographing Fiddler on the Roof for Roberta Gasbarre at Montgomery College’s Summer Dinner Theater program. The program casts high school and college students to participate in two musicals over the course of the summer. I am having a great time learning about both cossack and traditional Jewish wedding dances. I am especially excited to have the bottle dancers performing that number with real bottles and no velcro- genuinely thrilling. Here they are:

Hamlecchino in the news

admin — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 14:40:48 +0000

The Washington Post review: “A noble ‘Hamlecchino’ by way of commedia del’arte”

Washingtonian ”DC’s commedia dell’arte company puts an inventive and entertaining spin on the classic Shakespeare tragedy. By Missy Frederick

DC Theatre Scene review

DC Metro Theater Arts review

Washington City Paper review

WAMU article

Capital Community News feature story on The Faction of Fools residency at Gallaudet

Hamlecchino, Clown Prince of Denmark

admin — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 21:40:52 +0000

I am currently deep into rehearsals with The Faction of Fools on this Commedia del’Arte rendition of Shakespeare’s epic tragedy. I am having great fun playing as Ophelia- singing and dancing in the mad scenes, descending from aerial silks for the drowning. This is bound to be a thrilling show, and I genuinely hope everyone comes to see it.

April 26- May 12 Click for Tickets or follow the Faction link above for more details.

photo by Colin Hovde

Parade

admin — Fri, 09 Mar 2012 02:08:30 +0000

This winter I am working on the musical Parade, at Sidwell Friends’ upper school. It’s mostly period dance: the Cakewalk (which actually comes in many forms), Castle Walk, Turkey Trot, Grizzly Bear, and all types of other funny-named toe-tappers. I’m having fun working with the highschool cast, teaching the basics of partner dancing and integrating movement into their awareness of self onstage (and in life).

The Veil

admin — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:00:28 +0000

Successful first showing of this work-in-progress at Sidwell Friends’ Variety Show. I am jazzed to continue the work, aiming to make it into a full-length piece within the year.

Meanwhile, I have begun a collaboration with painter Raye Leith on the piece. She has already produced some beautiful work from it. Here is one of her paintings based on the work. There will be an exhibit of the full collection at The Electric Maid in Takoma Park March 20-25. I will also be performing the latest version that Saturday. Details on my “upcoming performances” page.