Artists have evolved specific ways of speaking with each other about their work, and about the development of their personal trajectories. Such ways can be usefully, and playfully applied to other contexts and subjects. The facilitated workshop, 'Micro-practices for a New Gentleness', introduces participants to conversation techniques that, though individually small, add up to generative and gentle ways of structuring focussed and respectful exchanges. We will interact with art objects specifically created for this workshop. Topics will be determined by the participants, who will also learn about ideas behind the methods, including connections to facilitated theater and pedagogy, that will empower each person to adapt this material to their needs and circumstances.

Exploring new approaches to music-making, artists will be introduced to tools and devices that have been designed by artists and composers to facilitate discovery of sounds free from pre-existing rules and techniques. These novel instruments will help enhance a sense of play and reward individual and collective creativity. Guided by composers and sound engineers experienced in experimentation, they will be ready to lead participants in a week of musical exploration from experimenting with pre-existing instruments to building their own to an end of the week ensemble performance. No background or experience necessary, beginners and non-musical welcome.

How do we transform objects such as rope, water or 3,000 square feet of plastic into animated materials that communicate meaning, message, and beauty? In this workshop participants will learn how to "brainstorm" with materials to reveal their meaning-making potential. We will start with an introduction to this process and an investigation of materials to work with. From there, participants will explore generative structures and build upon this vocabulary throughout the workshop. This creative process emphasizes a prioritization of production, offering participants an opportunity to see the power of creation over concept. A background in movement is not necessary.

We all have stories to tell. Stories about life changing events or about when we met someone who changed our lives. Some of these stories we tell frequently, and others we have buried away and rarely share with anyone. As screenwriters and filmmakers, we can excavate these moments of significance and unpack the nuances and details that compose the true events of our lives. Through a process of writing and recitation we will re-construct our stories and shape them into screenplays that we will write and produce over the course of the week.