Daily Journal January 12, 2007
Street Dancers at Children's Theatre
By Andy Argyrakis
The Daily Journal correspondent
Children tired of watching "Sesame Street," "Barney" and "Veggie Tales" can turn to Chicago Children's Theatre for the latest in cutting-edge entertainment. Taking a cue from pop culture, "4-ISH" is a one-of-a-kind show combining acrobatic stunts, breakdancing, skating, video art and a DJ. The explosive and interactive show is presented by the Amsterdam-based troupe ISH, a company focused on an athletic approach to the arts. The organization was founded by Marco Gerris in 1999, a former Netherlands freestyle skating champion. Gerris checked in with The Daily Journal from home to preview the Chicago production.
FAMILY OF PERFORMERS: Six years ago I ran up to my producer, Gerard Cornelisse, who told me I could make my own show based on my ideas and skills. But I like a lot of underground skills, so more and more skills were combined. I had to scout out people, who I found all over the world, and that's how it started. It's important that the atmosphere in the group is good and most of the group knows each other already and has for a long time. It's like a new, crazy family.
AUDIENCE REACTION: They come in so amazingly enthusiastic and inspired no matter where we go. In the beginning, they don't have a clue what they are going to see. But already after the first five minutes, they scream and shout with the show, which is very, very cool!
THIS SHOW: "4-ISH" is an energetic show that combines a lot of different skills from break to skate dance, martial arts, beatbox and live DJ-scratching -- every skill on a high level. Sometimes it's humorous, and sometimes it's serious. The philosophy behind it is that everyone can be somebody if you keep going. It gives you a lot of energy because we show the audience what we really like, and it's a new lifestyle based on respect for each other skills.
STUNT STYLES: From high jumps in the two big quarter pipes to breakdance power moves. There are acrobatic duets and dancing on skates -- think tap dancing but on skates. It's spectacular, but you have to see the show for yourself.
TYPES OF TRAINING: To be honest, nobody really trains with our disciplines. They are skills that you learn on the streets with your friends, such as doing crazy jumps and always challenging the other skaters. Most of us learned to dance on skates in the roller discos or the park from each other. The moment we train together to make new dances or moves for the show, it still feels like playing in the park.
MUSIC MATTERS: The DJ will be playing a lot of different styles -- chill hip-hop beats; funky, groovy hip-hop; Asian sounds combined with drum and bass; live scratching; and a battle between the beatboxes.
VIDEO: It's a combination from video movies about the characters of the show (with) live video from the jumps in the half pipe, all in a raw atmosphere.
FUN FOCUSED: Our goal is to make this as much fun as possible on stage, but also in our free time. We watch and learn the new cultures as much as possible from every place we visit because everything can be ISH inspiration.
LESSONS LEARNED: We teach children that it doesn't matter how good they are at something but to always try. We all started from totally zero!
ADULT APPEAL: I like playing for a younger audience more than only for adults. A younger audience always gives much more energy, and at this show, people don't have to be quiet. ... But in the U.S.A., there's almost no difference. The adults scream as loud as the youngsters -- maybe louder!
WINDY CITY: First of all, we're looking forward to the performance itself. Also, we live all over the place, so we don't see each other so often. Every time we go to cities, we get invited to cool clubs -- we like to party -- and people always show us the coolest places where tourists never go.
Chicago Children's Theatre
Aside from bringing touring shows to town, Chicago Children's Theatre has been staging its own productions since 2005. The troupe's inaugural show was the acclaimed production of "A Year With Frog and Toad." The theatre pulls from a council of Chicago-based actors, directors, musicians and designers. The theatre's mission is to "provide affordable and accessible theater for families and area school children" while also providing educational materials, resources and programs for both families and educators.