Out North’s art launch
Jamie Lang photo
Posted: Thursday, September 9, 2010 12:00 am
When Scott Turner Schofield took over as the new executive artistic director of Out North, he listened first, acted second. He began by holding a meeting with artists to find out their needs and desires, passions and ideas. They he worked with others to figure out how to make things happen.
Artists say they need opportunities, he says. “To that end, we are offering several new programs for artistic developments: Brand Spankin' Drama, Fresh Film, Thought Current, The Sound Stage, and DJ Days,” and much more, not just to offer something for artists at every level and in every genre but also to allow them “to practice, develop and collaborate.”
A performance artist previously based in Georgia, Schofield knows the rigors and rewards of making art. He first came to Alaska as a performer who spent time working with kids at McLaughlin.
“The experience of making art in a context like McLaughlin's showed me something I knew but had never articulated, “ he says. “Art has the power to truly set a person free, free from your past and the problems of the present, free to express in positive, constructive, life-affirming ways the part of ourselves that is entirely individual and uniquely powerful.”
When given the chance to come back as acting artistic director in December of 2009, Schofield saw it as an extended vacation with lots of opportunity for professional growth.
“I really thought I would only work for six weeks, have a great time, and get back to making art,” he says, “but Out North and the community of audience and artists around it—who are among the most intelligent, supportive, and talented I have seen in eight years of touring—stopped me in my tracks. I felt like I could have an even more powerful artistic experience here than on the road doing my own work.”
So he stayed on. Who knows whether his stint will turn into years or decades, but you can bet he won’t leave without making a mark. His artistic work includes one-man shows that explore transgender identity, such as “Debutante Balls” and “Becoming a Man in 127 EASY Steps,” both of which showed at Out North.
The community-minded art house cultivates art and artists by bringing performers like Schofield up, and by coordinating local productions, and partnering with schools and other nonprofits. A performance season always includes workshops, monologues, plays, readings and other events by local, national and international artists.
Out North is gearing up now with an art show and several events where you can meet Schofield and find out more about the coming season.
First, check out the quirky, homey art exhibit and fundraiser, “Redux: An Installation of Re-Emerging Art,” on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. This collection of retro-art ranges from wildflower paintings and Alaskana to 1960s furniture, a drinking glass installation, old toys and even a gold fish.
The show opens with a Mad Men-era costume party with fondue and drinks. The show’s art pieces range in price from a few bucks to over a C-note, and the furnishings cost about the same. As Schofield pointed out, the frames and matting make some of these pieces a steal, even if the art doesn’t sing to you.
The proceeds will benefit Out North's emerging gallery exhibits, of which Hope Studios and Begich Middle School are major partners.
The day after, Out North will host auditions for one of its 2010/2011 season productions, “Reefer Madness the Musical.” Monologues, cold readings and singing will take place from 1 to 3 p.m., followed by the dance auditions. Rehearsals begin a week later and the musical’s run begins the first week of November.
The following Thursday, September 16, Out North will hold its Season 26 Opening Party and fundraiser with previews of the upcoming season, along with beer, food and a silent auction. Tickets cost $30 and help fund Out North’s arts and education programs. This year, the art house will sell season tickets in three genres: theater, film and cultural exploration.
And finally, perhaps most exciting to some, Out North will host community-wide auditions for Out North and Perseverance Theatre from 5 to 10 p.m. on Wednesday, September 22. Local performers will get about ten minutes to introduce themselves to Schofield and Art Rotch, the artistic director of Perseverance Theatre in Juneau, along with Anchorage directors Jon Minton and Christian Heppenstall.
Turns out that Perseverance wants to start an Anchorage-based company. Yep, I buried the lead, but only because it belongs down here after all the hard work of listening.
Anyone who wants a part in Out North’s 26th season should show up for the community-wide auditions or forever hold their peace. Find out more at www.outnorth.org.
Out North’s art launch - Anchorage Press: Arts:
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