THE ISH INSTITUTE
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Convening from over a dozen communities, every side of the city, having various backgrounds and numerous talents; the students accepted into the ISH Institute are formidable, to say the least. They've jumped through hoops and showcased their skills. However, they are soon to embark on an even greater journey: two weeks of intense - almost spiritual – work.
This January, the ISH Institute comes to Chicago and our diverse group of students will have the opportunity to work with international artists and learn new skills in several different areas of stage production. ISH encourages the youth to take an active part in creating their own show by using their unique talents to express themselves on stage.
I am very pleased to be going on this journey with Chicago Children's Theatre. It's taken four months of work to get to this point: we have students, we have a space, a calendar, a curriculum, artists, supplies, and support from our community. Now we just need some magic, a little spirit, and a lot of work.
To all our students: My hope is that this blog become a place of dialogue for all of our Institute participants. Consider this a journal, suggestion box, and a place for all your rants and raves. For now, please post your expectations, hesitations, or fears. During the Institute, I will be posting daily, and your comments are necessary in making this the best experience possible. You will have the opportunity to post your comments at anytime, even during program.
To all our friends: My hope is that you consider this a look into our process. This could possibly be the greatest movie trailer or most spectacular preview ever released. Most of all it's FREE! And with 55 students, a hand full of Dutch artists, and I writing – it will at least be entertaining.
4 Comments
1.11.07
We have just completed the first few days of the Institute. So far, things are going extremely well! However, I am a bit tired. My daily schedule seems to consist of:
6:00 AMÂ Â Â Â Wake up
9:00 AMÂ Â Â Â Go to the office to check messages, return reciepts
11:00 AMÂ Â Â Go shopping for supplies
1:00 PMÂ Â Â Â Lunch in my car on the way to the Harris Theatre
2:00 PMÂ Â Â Â Arrive at the Harris and set up snack
3:00 PMÂ Â Â Â Charlotte arrives for last minute planning for the day
3:30 PMÂ Â Â Â The rest of the artists arrive
4:00 PMÂ Â Â Â Students arrive - INSTITUTE TIME!
9:00 PMÂ Â Â Â Students adjourn/Staff Meeting
9:30Â PMÂ Â Â Â ISH Artists Adjourn/clean up classrooms
10:00 PMÂ Â Â Erick Deshaun Dorris leaves the building (that's me!)
10:30 PMÂ Â Â Go to Dunkin Donuts
11:30 PMÂ Â Â Sleepy time.
I called a student's house, yesterday, because she was absent. Her mother said, "I can't let her do this. She got home at 11:30pm, and it's just not right for her at this point." I undestood. I'm tired, too. Yet, around 7:00pm, when everyone is drumming and dancing, I can't help but feel that this sacrifice is so very worth the trouble.
I know my body is going to get used to this schedule, right? Some of our students have been talking about their commutes. I can hear them discussing faster ways to get home. Little Chicago tricks that can shave ten to fifteen minutes off your commute from downtown to wherever you may be going. Do you have any CTA secrets that may help us all get home more quickly?
Posted by on Thu, January, 11, 2007, 11:59 PM  Delete  Ban
I really am enjoying this program.. For 1, it keeps me out of trouble. I am extremely energized and anxious when i arrive. I can't stop talking about the program to my parents. My instructors are very nice and talented!!! Mr. Erick & Ms. Ashley are very kool an down 2 earth..I can't wait 2 go tomorrow..!!!
1.12.06
ISH Institute Logo
Illustrated by Eduardo Montiel, Jr.
Photo by Erick Deshaun Dorris
What is hip-hop? Why does it matter?
I was talking to Jacqui Russell, CCT's Artistic Director, during the dinner break last night. We discussed the big cultural exchange that is happening at this little project at the Harris Theatre. This project is important because it allows the students to see themselves reflected half-way around the world. Many times, we look at many parts of our society and write them off as vulgar, rude, disobediant, lazy, rebellious. However, the contribution of these so-called degenerate portions of our community are usually what produce the most colorful and distinct voices.
I heard somwhere that Black (African-American) culture is the largest export from the United States. Whether it be in their/our music, language, food, apparel, etc.; Black people have been the major influence the world's concept of how America, looks, sounds, tastes.
This project is a very positive confirmation for our students. They are allowed to do, in a professional setting, what they have been doing in their neighborhoods, streets, and parties. They are seeing, in the ISH artists that their voices were heard around the world. Now the world has come to Chicago to say, "Yes, we were listening. And it was so good."
1.15.06
We've just finished week one of the institute. I will be posting a video commercial that we just made, when I figure out how to post it on this site.
Other than that, we've finished some scenes yesterday. Brittnei and Natalia are doing this amazing DJ battle scene in the show, and they just showed it to the rest of the students. Finally, I have beautiful pictures to post for you, as soon as I get a few moments to sit at the computer.
I hope you are all doing well, out there in the world. Our little universe, right now,  consists of munching bagels and fruit and preparing for another full day of ISH.
1.16.07
Kinko's is usually my least favorite place in the world. However, I have discovered that when one mentions that the printing project has something to do with children, the customer service usually steps it up a notch. I just picked up the most amazing flyers in the history of FedExKinkos production history. This flyers was designed by Joshua Slater and the copy is by Skylar Galberth.
I know on the performance day, you may see dancing, singing, skating, and a whole lot more. Our students are talented at so many flashy, performance oriented things. However, this groups is equally strong in the visual arts. We have some amazing illustrators, designers, and writers. Usually, these more visual art forms are overlooked because of their quieter nature. However, I think our blog allows this section of the students talent to really shine.
Thanks for checking in on our little project at the Harris Theatre! I will be posting some of the students artwork as soon as I can steal another moment away. For now, I have dinner being delivered and classrooms to set up.
1.17.07
It's hard to believe that this project will be over in just a few days. I had a meeting with Irie, the DJ instructor about packing up equipment, today. It seems unnatural to be planning an exit strategy before we've even raised the curtain, let alone had a full run of our show.Â
For those of you who have been part of any performance process should understand what happens a few days before curtain. For those of you who have no idea what I am talking about: There's a buzz around these corridors, tensions are getting very thick, and there are fewer smiles than a few days ago. We have entered crunch time. We just have to get things done.
In my graduate studies, I remember talking about pre-performance time as a major dilemma for many educators. Many instructors abandon opportunities f