The world premiere of FREQUENCIES
by Aaron Collier, Stewart Legere & Francesca Ekuwaysi
One part confessional, one part TED Talk style presentation, and one part techno-songwriter concert, this new production from the award-winning creators of The Princess Show, Princess Rules and New Waterford Boy: A Ceilidh is a multimedia storytelling show built around a techno album written by the show's star, Aaron Collier.
Inspired by an Albert Einstein quote - "All life is energy and that's all there is to it. Match the frequency of the reality you want and you cannot help but get that reality. It can be no other way. This is not philosphy, this is physics" - the production explores the stories, meanings, and inner workings of the music that underpins the performance. Through this journey, Collier invites the audience to discover his deeply personal revelations of acknowledging the grief and pain within his parents, brothers and himself, while celebrating the profound wonder and magic of real life around all around us.
"Frequencies is the most vulnerable and vital artistic endeavour I have undertaken. My story invovles confronting and accepting deep depression, and my journey through that has lead me to be here now creating this show and telling htis story. I believe that a basic question of purpose burns in all of us, and I hope that in telling this story that others who are searching for meaning in their lives might find inspiration to stop searching start making. In essence, I hope they are moved to prove Einstein's quote correct" - Aaron Collier
Aaron Collier was born in Prince Edward Island in 1981 and is an award-winning multi-talented musician, designer, actor, drag performer and digital media artist. His composition, sound and video design work has toured throughotu Canada, Ireland and the UK and he has 14 years of touring, recording and performance experience throughout the world with his previous bands The Jimmy Swift Band and Scientists of Sound. He's released two solo albums; Love (2008) and Neo (2009). He is the co-founder of Halifax-based live art company Heist and is the co-creator of their lauded productions The Princess Show, NATION, FACE and Princess Rules. He was the 2017/18 Designer in Residenc ewith 2b Theatre where he sound designed and co-composed the world premiere of their original work One Discordant Violin which played for four weeks Off Broadway in New York City in November 2019.
Celebrated director Ann-Marie Kerr (Daughter, The Secret Lives of Mothers) works with Collier on this intimate show featuring original music by Collier and writings by Stewart Legere, Francesca Ekwuyasi and Collier himself. Dramaturgy by Richie Wilcox and production management by Sylvia Bell.
TouchDesigner: The Basics
HEIST & Bellsview Creative team up to bring you a two-day workshop learning the basics of TouchDesigner lead by Aaron Collier.
Interested in media design for live art? In projection mapping? This beginner level workshop will teach you the basics of TouchDesigner, a Canadian-made media design application used by Heist (Princess Rules, Face, Frequencies) and many others around the world (Amon Tobin, Moment Factory, Ex Machina, Deadmau5...).
TD Basics 1: Saturday Feb 15, 2020
- introduction to TD and its elements
- generative 2d visuals and processing
TD Basics 2: Sunday Feb 16, 2020
- generative 3d visuals and processing
- projection mapping
This workshop is open to all levels and will be centred on learning the basics. It will be of particular interest to live theatre/dance/art designers and creators. A basic level of computer knowledge is assumed.
REGISTER by sending an email to liveheist.tickets <AT> gmail.com with the subject line: TD WORKSHOP
Cost is $120 for two 6 hour sessions and participants must bring their own laptop. Tea and light snacks provided. This workshop is BIPOC, Queer and Femme FRIENDLY! Space is limited to 9 persons.
Learn more about TouchDesigner and download your free version here --->
http://www.derivative.ca
TouchDesigner is a node based visual programming language for real time interactive multimedia content, developed by the Toronto-based company Derivative. It's been used by artists, programmers, creative coders, software designers, and performers to create performances, installations, and fixed media works.
Aaron Collier was born in Prince Edward Island in 1981 and is an award-winning multi-talented musician, designer, performer and theatre creator. His composition, sound, set and video design work has toured throughout Canada and to the USA, Ireland and the UK and he has 14 years of touring and performance experience throughout the world with his previous bands The Jimmy Swift Band and Scientists of Sound. He is the co-founder and technical director of Halifax-based live art company Heist and is the co-creator of their lauded productions The Princess Show, New Waterford Boy, NATION, FACE, and Princess Rules. He is also an artistic associate with Theatre Outré in Lethbridge, Alberta. He studied TouchDesigner with digital artist Baron Lanteigne and has since created several designs on the platform including Princess Rules, Face, Frequencies (Heist), and The Last Five Years (Neptune Theatre). Aside from theatrical productions, Aaron has used TouchDesigner to create projection installations for the Heist Takeover parties and their annual Rooftop Party.
Works in Development
Coal Bowl Queen
Coal Bowl Queen is a new documentary play being workshopped and developed by Heist. It is a work conceived and written by Richie Wilcox focusing in on a 35-year old national boys basketball tournament in New Waterford, Cape Breton called The Coal Bowl Classic.