tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85108597696383942672024-02-10T14:14:22.073-05:00RuinedRuined by Lynn NottageObsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-1100342251749496922010-12-08T17:17:00.000-05:002010-12-08T17:17:56.124-05:00Conflict MineralsAnother Globe and Mail article on the Congo. This time about coltan.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/technology/smartphones-blood-stains-at-o ur-fingertips/article1825207/">Conflict minerals<br />
Smartphones: Blood stains at our fingertips</a><br />
<br />
<br />
h/t RpObsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-3798121892110603122010-12-06T16:14:00.000-05:002010-12-06T16:14:54.416-05:00The Army and the PayolaA very interesting story in the Globe: <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-mideast/congo-army-engaged-in-orgy-of-criminality-un/article1822952/">Congo army engaged in orgy of criminality: UN</a>Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-72215067500851380562010-11-30T22:25:00.001-05:002010-12-03T14:41:41.207-05:00Democratic Republic of Congo: Lubumbashi to KinshasaA couple and their land Rover do the trek from <a href="http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=50799">Lubumbashi to Kinshasa</a>. Quite a fascinating read with some outstanding picturesObsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-12160344661561817502010-11-09T12:30:00.000-05:002010-11-09T12:30:18.677-05:00Ruined Workshop<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2au796eNomyQtzmnOJAkWOn_aMpuivWA3-0WDvXAjrDWSwSakDy8z8IG7t79VkO8gjMK4AUy_4T8Ec65u4_TerYk-e5w5R5falC89l0cf3g_sp83VgyLVJlL7vb2r4IF_xyTL2vcCYxAZ/s1600/Daniso-Sabryn-ruined+copy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="239" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2au796eNomyQtzmnOJAkWOn_aMpuivWA3-0WDvXAjrDWSwSakDy8z8IG7t79VkO8gjMK4AUy_4T8Ec65u4_TerYk-e5w5R5falC89l0cf3g_sp83VgyLVJlL7vb2r4IF_xyTL2vcCYxAZ/s320/Daniso-Sabryn-ruined+copy.gif"/></a></div>Daniso Ndhlovu on guitar with Sabryn Rock<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8rMziNZdbf21BDh1ppiQlTVttKCQTaxOyWhgt24_nhuQDfGMqLt8HnUr4eOkk8vUVlzaPCfN2rWQbtP0MdTwH1IlXdXzp9U8H0cIKJX55ZfYkFvaCQoZmkNiJg5UCbbNLCqtJUFgetYR/s1600/group-photo-ruined-web+copy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="238" width="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl8rMziNZdbf21BDh1ppiQlTVttKCQTaxOyWhgt24_nhuQDfGMqLt8HnUr4eOkk8vUVlzaPCfN2rWQbtP0MdTwH1IlXdXzp9U8H0cIKJX55ZfYkFvaCQoZmkNiJg5UCbbNLCqtJUFgetYR/s320/group-photo-ruined-web+copy.gif"/></a></div>A group shot of the workshop<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgs64FFJpe9gUSSpe21zHwFYUTuFLRt1F61Ha5a4MEAQakGx1gk-Lta5gHsAgpV1l402Fc57MPyXJhIuICgVQjY-46BjdahX7t2CJdgEI87-_JMezD4NDN33PeNNKB-cdLZXfCQ1oq_Lt/s1600/Sophia-ruined+copy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left:1em; margin-right:1em"><img border="0" height="320" width="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqgs64FFJpe9gUSSpe21zHwFYUTuFLRt1F61Ha5a4MEAQakGx1gk-Lta5gHsAgpV1l402Fc57MPyXJhIuICgVQjY-46BjdahX7t2CJdgEI87-_JMezD4NDN33PeNNKB-cdLZXfCQ1oq_Lt/s320/Sophia-ruined+copy.gif"/></a></div>Sophia WalkerObsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-73443626212015425892010-11-03T21:09:00.000-04:002010-11-03T21:09:28.597-04:00Accent Video<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_AEySWj1m4?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/h_AEySWj1m4?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-49111254623692528632010-11-03T20:26:00.000-04:002010-11-03T20:26:42.839-04:00Research LinksHi Philip,<br />
Here are two things I came across during my research. <br />
<br />
This is strange and interesting. It was made by the UK and is intended to help<br />
Brits begin to <a href="http://www.refugeecouncil.org.uk/OneStopCMS/Core/CrawlerResourceServer.aspx?resource=F370F137-A389-4F4C-90D3-D3F1A37D831F&mode=link&guid=2bb06d9deb40437ab2cbc147612276dc12276dc">understand refugees from the DRC.</a><br />
<br />
<br />
This one is fairly self explanatory and is about a <a href="http://www.3generations.org/story/articletype/articleview/articleid/8/josephine-x.aspx">15 year old DRC<br />
girl<br />
</a><br />
<br />
h/t GillianObsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-30751813831025373962010-09-01T11:18:00.000-04:002010-09-01T11:18:14.048-04:00The Greatest SilenceThe web site for an interesting film <a href="http://thegreatestsilence.org/about">The Greatest Silence</a><br />
<br />
The trailer has some very compelling thoughts and images.<br />
<br />
<br />
h/t G. GallowObsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-87414338869529903182010-08-29T18:36:00.000-04:002010-08-29T18:36:06.087-04:00How Not to Write About Africa<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/c-jSQD5FVxE?fs=1&hl=en_US"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/c-jSQD5FVxE?fs=1&hl=en_US" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object>Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-72476999829955907652010-06-28T12:01:00.000-04:002010-06-28T12:01:19.256-04:00Gadgets<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/27/opinion/27kristof.html?th&emc=th">Death by Gadget</a><br />
By Nicholas d. Kristof<br />
<br />
An interesting article on the role that valuable minerals play in the on-going war in the DRCObsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-60785017249119085492010-06-26T11:48:00.000-04:002010-06-26T11:48:33.649-04:00Congolese Accent<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nyg2Fn0-sbw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/Nyg2Fn0-sbw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-1408573516923346322010-06-26T11:45:00.000-04:002010-06-26T11:45:10.273-04:00Nottage - Background Info<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/OxnccqXCC-A&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/OxnccqXCC-A&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br />
<br />
Lynn Nottage and Saidah Arrika Ekulona on RuinedObsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-20878617907408995772010-06-23T18:00:00.000-04:002010-06-23T18:00:46.027-04:00UpdateSo the Creative/Production Team is 99% in place and the cast is 98% set. We should be doing an announcement shortly and let you all in on the good news.Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-50827785446599568062010-05-27T14:36:00.000-04:002010-05-27T14:36:13.268-04:00MapsAs it does get confusing here is a bit of a helper. The Democratic Republic of the Congo {formerly Zaire} is here. This is the world of Ruined<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/cd.htm">http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/cd.htm</a><br />
<br />
The Congo is here.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/cg.htm">http://www.worldatlas.com/webimage/countrys/africa/cg.htm</a>Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-47701342498565352202010-04-28T11:26:00.001-04:002010-06-17T21:02:44.799-04:00Single Story<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/D9Ihs241zeg&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/D9Ihs241zeg&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-87337794622793507742010-04-11T23:21:00.000-04:002010-04-11T23:26:18.638-04:00Music / Dance Notes #1A link to some of the great Congolese music of Papa Wemba. Play follow the links. There is one scene in the play where Congolese dance music is played on the radio. If you find something that is particularly good send me a link and we will try and use it either there or in the pre-show<br />
<br />
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/hCstk01tAD4&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/hCstk01tAD4&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
<br />
<object width="480" height="385"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/8boySMEIiiw&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/8boySMEIiiw&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="480" height="385"></embed></object><br />
<br />
And a little something for Josephine.Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-4403377532085277302010-04-06T21:51:00.000-04:002010-04-06T21:51:33.507-04:00Congo Links #2Geoffrey York of the Globe & Mail has an Africa blog and here are two articles on the Congo.<br />
<br />
The first is on <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-chronicle/a-plague-of-destruction-in-goma/article1515024/">home destruction in Goma</a>. The pictures also show different types of dress.<br />
<br />
The second is on <a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/africa-chronicle/congos-roads-of-ruin/article1503854/">Congolese Roads </a>and how that affects everything from commerce to governance to military action.<br />
<br />
I found this short video on YouTube showing what roads can be like.<br />
<br />
<object style="height: 344px; width: 425px;"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/UewQ5Qgn0eA"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/UewQ5Qgn0eA" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" allowScriptAccess="always" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-55514900447983864382010-04-05T17:09:00.000-04:002010-04-05T17:18:03.535-04:00Congo Links #1<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Status Update, Wardrobe</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/the-bleak-calculus-of-congos-war-without-end/article1513795/"><br />
</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/the-bleak-calculus-of-congos-war-without-end/article1513795/">An article in the Globe and Mail on the status today in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Congo</st1:place></st1:country-region></a>. Of note is the picture of the former rebel leader and the haunting photo that starts the article.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">A stunning photo essay by Marcus Bleasdale showing images of the mining, soldiers, survival and non-survivors.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2010/02/marcus-bleasdale-the-rape-of-a-nation/">The Rape of a Nation</a><br />
<br />
<b>Medical</b><br />
<a href="http://www.aids-freeworld.org/content/view/132/189/">http://www.aids-freeworld.org/content/view/132/189/</a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.conversationsforabetterworld.com/2010/01/rape-epidemic-fuels-fistula-cases-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo/">http://www.conversationsforabetterworld.com/2010/01/rape-epidemic-fuels-fistula-cases-in-the-democratic-republic-of-congo/</a><br />
<br />
<b>Image File</b><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://images.google.ca/images?client=opera&rls=en&q=congolese%20soldiers&oe=utf-8&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi">Congolese Soldiers </a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://images.google.ca/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&rls=en&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=congolese+women&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&start=0">Congolese Women {some graphic images}</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://images.google.ca/images?um=1&hl=en&safe=off&client=opera&rls=en&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=congolese+women&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=&gs_rfai=&start=0"><br />
</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><b>Video File</b></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.pulitzercenter.org/openitem.cfm?id=177">Mining and Coltan</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Congo</st1:place></st1:country-region> Life</div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/opinion/nicholas-d-kristof/1194811622305/index.html#1247467297119">Two video files by Nicholas Kristoff on the women in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Congo</st1:place></st1:country-region>.</a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: black; font-family: "Verdana"; font-size: 8.5pt;"><a href="http://video.nytimes.com/video/playlist/opinion/nicholas-d-kristof/1194811622305/index.html#1247467297119"><br />
</a></span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.burnmagazine.org/essays/2010/02/marcus-bleasdale-the-rape-of-a-nation/"><br />
</a></div>Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8510859769638394267.post-15581963348366774602010-03-30T16:36:00.000-04:002010-03-30T17:05:19.522-04:00Starting OffObsidian Theatre in association with Nightwood Theatre are producing Ruined by Lynn Nottage in January 2011. We have the design team assembled and I had a meeting with them last week. It was great to meet with the whole crew so far ahead of time and to discuss the show, its issues and to start to assemble the creative knowledge that would serve as a background for both the designers and the performers. Thus this blog.<br />
<br />
We will be putting up pictures, links, stories etc that will help inform the creative process of the production. If you come across something interesting please place it in the comments or send me an email and I will put it up.<br />
<br />
I invite you to follow the process of creation right from the very beginnings and then to come and see how it all turns out on the day.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy_ICBWxUmE3puHDoTOYYZzWyZec0ED7DADt66JA_kkhCu0uiIizbmngJ703ZM080z4e-eBfiKzwzPZ6hwac2ZCxv6hknUTRCf2bKGpeI_fUk9kq1EdUqtA0-_JHkXRMZURfLT1005NXk/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyy_ICBWxUmE3puHDoTOYYZzWyZec0ED7DADt66JA_kkhCu0uiIizbmngJ703ZM080z4e-eBfiKzwzPZ6hwac2ZCxv6hknUTRCf2bKGpeI_fUk9kq1EdUqtA0-_JHkXRMZURfLT1005NXk/s320/7.jpg" /></a></div><br />
To start off I found this piece of Congolese cloth that was quite delightful.Obsidian Theatrehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18390484219362634765noreply@blogger.com0