.jpg)
A multi-lingual poetic landscape centering around hysteria.
This devised piece was created with actors from le Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique (CNSAD) and the California Institute of the Arts. After a six-week workshop at CalArts, we continued the process at CNSAD, where we opened.
Augustine Machine begins with Louise Augustine Gleize and other patients forced to endure brutal and traumatic “treatment” from neurologist Dr. Jean-Michel Charcot during his work on hypnosis and hysteria. From here, we move into texts of religious fervor and ecstasy, and finally of revolution. The three chapters collage elements of movement, projection, language, and sound to create a work more about feeling than understanding, as the texts span five languages.
It was a thrill to see the piece take shape in real time, and contribute both original and found music in rehearsal. Director Travis Preston greatly emphasized the importance of following creative impulses–a method of intuitive creation I found extremely rewarding.
Interfacing with the French technicians at CNSAD was a true delight. I also assisted our live saxophonist to create structured improvs for moments in the show. As the company socialized and explored the city over the month I worked in Paris, I formed personal bonds on a level I had not previously known. And enjoyed more conversation over an Aperol spritz than I can count.
The project will take on a new life in September 2023 at the Walt Disney Modular Theater at CalArts.
CNSAD Actors:
Alexandre Auvergne
Louis Battistelli
Clémence Coullon
Asha Culhane Husain
Lomane de Dietrich
Hélène Gigou
Yasmine Hadj Ali
Olenka Ilunga
Samantha le Bas
Mathilde Martinez
Agathe Mazouin
Guillaume Morel
Julie Tedesco
Léna Tournier
Ike Zacsongo Joseph
CalArts Actors:
Hakan Cosar
Chisom Diana Dimiri
Gala Nicolić
Ryan Nebreja
Madison Stamm
Henry Fulton Winship
Joe Zhang
Director: Travis Preston
Assistant Director: Héctor Álvarez
Production Manager: Chris Swetcky, Valentin Pinoteau
Production Designer: Chris Barreca
Choreographer: Jessica Emmanuel
Saxophonist: Steven Cat Saxo
Stage Managers: Cassie Sottile, Lanae Wilks
Technical Director: Sébastien de Jésus
Lighting Design: Claire Chrzan
Lighting Technician: Stephan Moissetier
Sound Design: Clare Marie Nemanich
Sound Technician: Yann Galerne
Video Design: Keith Skretch
Video Technicians: Frédéric Pickering, John M. Warts
Costume Design: Hunter Wells, Christelle André
Scénographie: Constance de Lagaye de Lanteuil, Margot Bonnafous, Clothilde Feuillard
Prop Design: Christopher Rodriguez Jr.
Augustine Machine
ou Encore Une Nuit d'Insomnie
an artistic collaboration by
Amanda Shank
Marie Darrieusseq
Thomas Gunning
Produced by The Calarts Center for New Performance
at the Conservatoire National Supérieur d'Art Dramatique
Paris, France
June, 2022