Photo: Julia Barstow
The Quarry Project Update
December 28, 2020
Someone recently asked me if we were fundraising for the project this year. I realized, oops, our internal decision had not become public. The answer is not this year. We will ask for support when we know we are on the final stretch to production. Meanwhile, if you want to donate to the arts, please give to Vermont Dance Alliance which is working hard to support dance artists in this lean time.
Here is a glimpse into what the Quarry Project ensemble is doing during this pause period. Every month we devote an hour with each other in one of a trio of connections:
Full Ensemble, mostly on zoom
Scene Gatherings, small groups, safely in-person or virtually
1-2-1 Listening/Memory time on the phone
All three of these touch points have a structure and a prompt to help us dive deeper. We are grateful for the opportunity to expand our knowledge of one another. These friendships will anchor us no matter what the future holds.
Just to give you a flavor, here are snippets from the past 1-2-1 Listening/Memory times:
I thought my story was going one place and it turned a corner into something else deep and intimate.
Something is activated in this exchange that would not be possible in simply wandering into my memory alone.
As a quiet and more observant person, I often navigate a conversation based the other’s reactions or affirmations, so to have you listen to me for 20 minutes straight was new, made me feel slightly vulnerable but also free.
It was really lovely to receive these clear jewels of memory.
The moment of embarrassment after being lost in memory, breathing through it when I remembered you were on the other end of the phone. Being ok with some silence.
What a lovely, delicious, intimate, sweet and unexpected sense of closeness.
I discovered the void where words can’t adequately describe the memory.
Being truly heard by another is a rare experience. Placing trust in another to hear stories that formed me is an incredible gift.
I smile as I hear your frequent laughter about something you’ve said. Getting to listen to your joy and not verbally respond was new and so important for me.
What a beautiful morning conversation. I enjoyed the way, hearing you share, deepened my own reflection on what I had spoken about.
I close with an aspiration for all of us and a tiny film from last week’s visit to the quarry. May this new cycle bring unexpected gifts and welcome insights that affirm our place in this universe. May we be compassionate with others and courageous in the challenging work. May we bring our profound and inherent wisdom to every step along the path.
