Devised/directing work: a representative Sample
LAUGHTER, an original play
Photo Credit: Annie Hogan
Produced by Middlesex County College, April 2017. Conceived & Directed by Anna Sycamore DeMers ENSEMBLE CAST: Lindsey Dress, Jessica Kabus, Zach Larobis, Calvin Nemeckay, Marjorie Sullivan Written in Collaboration with Ensemble Cast Set Design: David Kaplan ~Dedicated in Loving Memory of Addam Kingsley Knowlson. |
Thinner than water by melissa ross
Photo Credit: Rich Kowalski
Produced by Middlesex County College, April 2018 Directed by Anna Sycamore DeMers Set Design: Rob Coste Lighting Design: Zack Gage Costume Design: Deanna J. Smith Sound Engineer: Greg Scalera |
Orlando
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THE SECRET IN THE WINGS
BY MARY ZIMMERMAN Photo Credit: Rich Kowalski
Produced by Middlesex County College, April 2016 Directed by Anna Sycamore DeMers Costume Design by Kate R. Mincer Set Design by Roman Klima Lighting by Zack Gage Musical Direction by Greg Scalera |
Twelve ophelias by Caridad svichphoto credit: Rich kowalskiProduced by Middlesex County College, November 2014
Directed by Anna Sycamore DeMers Music by Greg Scalera Fight Choreography by Lucas Pinner Described by the playwright as "a contemporary perspective on Shakespeare’s Ophelia as she returns to a new world filled with colorful versions of characters she once knew from Hamlet." Our production sought to to shake the foundation of Ophelia as a tragic character and resurrect her as a woman full of strength, love and forgiveness in her heart. The production approach included extensive use of physicality in and on the set which included aerial silks. |
structures an immersive performance experienceDeveloped with funding from the Students Partnering with Faculty Grant at Kean University, May 2012
Professor: Anna DeMers. Students: Natalie Bailey, Frank Giamella and Josh Schnetzer. This was a performance-based, research project exploring devised creative processes and immersive environments. All participants, including myself, were involved in the research, writing and performance of the culminating project. Over the yearlong process, we pursued methods of generating new material for performance through experimentation with different devised practices. We spent our time researching and exploring the creation of an immersive performance that sought to push the boundaries and the relationship between the performer and the spectator. |
The other shore by gao xingjianProduced by Kean University. Directed by Anna DeMers.
This play was proposed by Anna to the Kean theatre department and was received openly as an opportunity to expand the students’ exposure to a different style/genre of theatre making. In rehearsal, Anna introduced collaborative/devised approaches for developing the final performance. This approach was a new opportunity that our students have not been offered frequently. For several of the actors, it was an extension of the techniques that Anna teaches in Movement for the Actor and Advanced Movement. The crossover from classroom techniques to practical application is critical for our students as they begin to develop their own aesthetics and creative habits. |
9 parts of desire by Heather RaffoPhoto Credit: Rich Kowalski
Produced by Kean University. Directed by Anna DeMers. 9 Parts of Desire takes the audience inside the world of nine extraordinary women, who reveal their innermost desires and tales of survival amidst the stark realities of war-torn Iraq. It gives a voice to women who are powerful yet fragile. They speak from their souls about humanity, love, art, and compassion. They stand strong representing society’s struggle and will to survive. They are women who speak for themselves and for the women who have not been given a voice. These women do not ask for sympathy or pity but to be recognized for their strength and perseverance. Heather Raffo is an Iraqi-American playwright who has produced this work world-wide. More at heatherraffo.com. |
Mary zimmerman's the odysseyProduced by Kean University.
Co-direction E. Teresa Choate & Anna Sycamore DeMers. This production was a huge collaboration across all aspects of the Kean Department of Theatre. As co-director, I worked alongside Dr. E. Teresa Choate, focusing on creating visual and physical aspects of the performance. I conducted a two-day movement intensive with the students (in January, prior to be start of the semester) in order to establish a physical vocabulary and build ensemble trust. This proved very beneficial for the students and allowed them to begin to make choices for how to quickly switch between multiple characters (as most actors played more than one role). |
phobias a movement-theatre performanceProduced by Empty Spaces Theatre Company
Devised/Choreographed by Anna Sycamore DeMers Original Music by Kevin G. Becker PHOBIAS is a movement theatre performance exploring how fear manifests itself in the body. Do we Retreat? Collapse? Hide? Expand? Excite? Freeze? This was an ensemble creation with Empty Spaces Theatre Co. We explored varying techniques from Viewpoints to Postmodern Composition, Jacques Lecoq and Improvisation to tear through the layers to discover honesty within. We are all strangers to one another unless we risk exposure,risk facing our fears. |
