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Event
Hopeless - at Berkeley Shambhala Streetspace
Hopeless - a timely and uplifting collection of stories, music and musings inspired by the writings of Pema Chodron, an American Buddhist nun, on the nature of hope, fear and finding joy.
A one-woman performance conceived, directed and performed by Melanya Helene.
Melanya Helene is an award-winning performer from Portland, Oregon and the artistic director of The Brooklyn Bay, a non-profit arts organization committed to integrating mindfulness and performance with everyday life. The founder of Mindfulness-Based Improvisation, Melanya's performance style is an engaging integration of dynamic movement, soulful singing with moments of profound stillness. "Hopeless" is the culmination of over 16 years exploring mindfulness and performance as an embodiment of empathy, kindness and fearlessness. "Hopeless" has played for over 12 weeks in Portland to sold out audiences.
Melanya writes about her inspiration for Hopeless:
"In 1994 I held a baby shower before the birth of my first child. Among the usual gifts of booties and blankets, I received a small book called The Wisdom of No Escape by Pema Chodron. It was by far the most useful and cherished gift I received that day. Through the tumultuous time of becoming a mother, giving up my art and reclaiming it years later, of growing accustomed to not getting what I wanted on a regular basis, Pema Chodron's writing has given me a lifeline to some semblance of sanity. I began to explore her teachings through performance over 5 years ago as a personal practice and as a way to share my discoveries with others. This piece is not autobiographical. It is my attempt to explore and embody the principles, teachings and universal experiences as best I can."
"Performing Hopeless has become a powerful personal practice for me. Each time I perform it, it is new. Depending on where my mind and emotions are and on what the audience brings - their life challenges and joys - I realize things in a fresh way and the material goes in deeper."
"I have decided to do this show again, at this time, because of personal loss and grief - a death in my family. The teachings expressed in this piece are supporting me though this time; this sudden reminder of impermanence. My intention is to offer it now to you, with whatever difficulties or joys you may be experiencing in your own life. May this performance be of benefit to you."
A review from The Oregonian:
During this one-person show conceived and performed by Melanya Helene, life is slowed. For a brief hour, we escape the flashing, clanging rush and worry that often overwhelm us.
Inspired by what the program describes as Pema Chodron's "charming and down-to-earth interpretation of Tibetan Buddhism," Helene uses song and storytelling to lure us into a thoughtful, reflective state -- a state of mindfulness. Here "hopelessness" is not bad; it is a liberation. Abandoning hope is a way of accepting the ephemeral nature of life.
Rather than lose ourselves in lamenting the past or fearing for the future, hopelessness is a call to embrace the fullness of the present.
The play "Hopeless" is, in short, about letting go. But, as Helene makes clear, letting go is not so easy.
In the spirit of the mindfulness that the play urges, the actor Helene moves through the piece with a wonderfully polished artfulness. Emotion is disciplined but always honest. Even at the start, when Helene sings "Mood Indigo," we get something that is part sorrowful blues and part meditative chant.
Melanya enlivens the tales she tells with a physicality that approaches dance. Whether she describes a running woman, a bold samurai warrior, an ancient wise man or a pensive farmer, she communicates a sense of the character with vividly mimetic as well as fluidly graceful movement. She not only enters her stories but her stories enter her.
In addition, Helene imaginatively punctuates her narrations and choreography with a creative sense of sound. She ably mimics a phonograph needle jumping on a scratched record or a mouse nibbling on vegetation. Playfully modulating her breath, she can convey the sweep of a samurai sword as it slashes through the air or a chilling breeze as it rushes across a mountain terrain.
The only prop Helene uses throughout the play is a Himalayan singing bowl. She draws both haunting and heavenly music from this instrument.
The play's Buddhist message about the impermanence and insubstantiality of life comes through ...there is a gentleness about this conclusion that is in keeping with the meditative mood of the entire performance.
Most importantly, after the fade out is complete and all is silent, we are left with a sense of well being, as Helene's good will continues to resonate.
-- Richard Wattenberg, The Oregonian
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LocationThe Berkeley Shambhala Center - Streetspace
2177 Bancroft Avenue
Berkeley, CA 94704
United States
Categories
| Kid Friendly: No |
| Dog Friendly: No |
| Non-Smoking: No |
| Wheelchair Accessible: No |
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