Two cities. Two arts centers. Two early childhood community partners. One show. Color Play.
Meet Clarissa Corkins, Production Coordinator, and Jen Theby-Quinn, performer for Color Play, a performance for very young children at the Lawrence Arts Center and the Center of Creative Arts!
Clarissa Corkins is a videographer, coordinator, snack provider, organizer, supporter, and any other title needed for the development of Color Play. One of her favorite pastimes is putting together jigsaw puzzles. Her two favorite colors are lime green and turquoise, which can be seen throughout her home (except for her collection of scarves; those are every color)!
Jen loves being an artist because it means she gets to play for a living! One of her very favorite things is to make up songs about nonsense and sing them to her puppies. During the daytime, Jen teaches middle school students how to use their noggins. She thinks using your noggin and making art will make the world a better place. She loves to wear green.
So what is Color Play?
Welcome to our Theatre and Dance for the Very Young series!
In August of 2018, the Lawrence Arts Center partnered with the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) in St. Louis, MO and continued its Play Lab Series for 2-5-year-olds. In these research sessions, we collaborated with two early childhood centers to work with children in both cities using dance, music, and imaginative play. These sessions were recorded and served as research for our upcoming performance for children ages 2-5, Color Play. All of the ideas explored in Color Play will be performed by adults and based on our interactions in the Play Lab Series. We ask the questions: What does blue sound like? What does green do when it wakes up in the morning? How does orange dance? Very young audiences will enter an interactive world where colors can make noises, have wild dances, and create delightful surprises. The performance itself will involve live music, exploratory art, and moments of interaction with the audience.
What do Clarissa and Jen do for Color Play?
Clarissa is the Production Coordinator for the Lawrence Arts Center production. She is videographer and expert in the Play Lab research sessions and keeps everyone on track during technical rehearsals and performances. She is also a really kind, fabulous human with a knack for finding delicious cupcakes. Jen is on the devising/performing team at the Center of Creative Arts. She works with the director and the other performers to develop moments and surprises inspired by the ideas of our very young artistic partners. She is an excellent friend to all birds, is highly skilled at being a nervous caterpillar, and is often found jumping or upside down.