By FAITH SWYMER
Special to the Union Leader (Manchester, N.H., USA)
KEENE – A man called to war, a wife left at home, and a confused dog that sees the infidelity that ensues. A storyline that could resonate with our own nation at war comes to life as a Cambodian puppetry show that illustrates how the human condition transcends cultural differences.
"Story of a Dog," which was the culminating event of a three-week Cambodian residency at Keene State College, did just that, bringing in a diverse crowd after working with members of the community and college to shed light on a culture that was devastated under the regime of Pol Pot.
The event featured three musicians - two Cambodians and Canadian music director Reza Jacobs - who played 15 instruments among them, five Cambodian puppeteers and dancers from the Sovanna Phum theater, and three dance and puppeteer members of the Sandglass Theater in Putney, Vt. The music was sung in Khmer, the official language of Cambodia, with Jacobs occasionally singing a translation in English.
"It's an incredible experience for our students. First of all, they're being shown two different cultures that are working together," said Redfern Arts Center Director William Menezes, of the difficulties of working two theater troupes, each of which couldn't speak the other's language.
"I think what's wonderful about this project, it is really, truly a collaboration," said Menezes. "I've always felt that the arts did that."
"The story that we presented - we could not have done it without these different traditions coming together," said Eric Bass, Sandglass Theater director and co-director of 'Story of a Dog' alongside Mann Kasal.
The production came together when Bass went to Cambodia to teach a class, and wanted to bring back the Sovanna Phum performers to tour the states.
Menezes had also made a trip over to Cambodia after Bass's first trip on a grant from NEFA, and experienced the haunting past of the country that endured genocide for years.
"It was kind of like an epiphany, it opened my eyes to a lot of things," said Menezes.
Bass, who came in contact with Menezes years ago when Menezes reviewed the Sandglass for the Brattleboro Reformer, worked with Menezes to bring the Cambodians to KSC and other colleges for residency, but had problems in financially backing the project.
"The Redfern is supporting the whole residency," said Menezes, but received financial grants from New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). Local Keene corporation Markem sponsored the event, but it still needed $35,000 of the $60,000 to completely fund the project. A major funder - who Menezes said he could not name - stepped forward the week of Aug. 8, and the visas were not finalized until Aug. 18, but still the Cambodians made it over to KSC by Aug. 29.
During their residency at KSC, they held workshops on puppetry, met with theater and music majors on campus, and worked with public schools in the Keene area, while also embracing the college experience by eating at the college's Zorn Dining Commons among the students.
"Many have never heard this type of music before - it's new to them," said Menezes of the students' reaction to the residency. "It's entertaining, too.
It's music, it's dance, it's theater."
"Story of a Dog," which was the culminating event of a three-week Cambodian residency at Keene State College, did just that, bringing in a diverse crowd after working with members of the community and college to shed light on a culture that was devastated under the regime of Pol Pot.
The event featured three musicians - two Cambodians and Canadian music director Reza Jacobs - who played 15 instruments among them, five Cambodian puppeteers and dancers from the Sovanna Phum theater, and three dance and puppeteer members of the Sandglass Theater in Putney, Vt. The music was sung in Khmer, the official language of Cambodia, with Jacobs occasionally singing a translation in English.
"It's an incredible experience for our students. First of all, they're being shown two different cultures that are working together," said Redfern Arts Center Director William Menezes, of the difficulties of working two theater troupes, each of which couldn't speak the other's language.
"I think what's wonderful about this project, it is really, truly a collaboration," said Menezes. "I've always felt that the arts did that."
"The story that we presented - we could not have done it without these different traditions coming together," said Eric Bass, Sandglass Theater director and co-director of 'Story of a Dog' alongside Mann Kasal.
The production came together when Bass went to Cambodia to teach a class, and wanted to bring back the Sovanna Phum performers to tour the states.
Menezes had also made a trip over to Cambodia after Bass's first trip on a grant from NEFA, and experienced the haunting past of the country that endured genocide for years.
"It was kind of like an epiphany, it opened my eyes to a lot of things," said Menezes.
Bass, who came in contact with Menezes years ago when Menezes reviewed the Sandglass for the Brattleboro Reformer, worked with Menezes to bring the Cambodians to KSC and other colleges for residency, but had problems in financially backing the project.
"The Redfern is supporting the whole residency," said Menezes, but received financial grants from New England Foundation for the Arts (NEFA). Local Keene corporation Markem sponsored the event, but it still needed $35,000 of the $60,000 to completely fund the project. A major funder - who Menezes said he could not name - stepped forward the week of Aug. 8, and the visas were not finalized until Aug. 18, but still the Cambodians made it over to KSC by Aug. 29.
During their residency at KSC, they held workshops on puppetry, met with theater and music majors on campus, and worked with public schools in the Keene area, while also embracing the college experience by eating at the college's Zorn Dining Commons among the students.
"Many have never heard this type of music before - it's new to them," said Menezes of the students' reaction to the residency. "It's entertaining, too.
It's music, it's dance, it's theater."
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