Full Text:

Folk Theater Presents A Message Of Renewal

(with cut)

BY ANN MARIE COHEN

Arm-of-the-Sea, a touring folk theater based in Malden-on Hudson, New York

entertained students at Hawley School on Wednesday, April 14. Arm-of-the-Sea

was formed in 1982. Since their beginning, they have traveled to schools,

festivals and theaters to perform shows they've written. The troupe itself

reflects the folk tradition; none of the actors and technicians had previous

formal training.

In their production, no words are spoken. All ideas are communicated through

images, music and movement. The costuming is brilliant not only in color, but

in design. All costumes are handmade using papier mache, wood, fabric and

cardboard.

Music embodies the production and gives it the power to convey the message.

Percussion is used to capture the excitement and intensity of the action; and

the mbira, an African piano, accompanies voice to play out the melodies.

The Water Tree, the show presented, was set in a tropical rainforest. Because

the story is told through visual images, it lends itself to wide

understanding.

The cycle of life is illustrated in the play. When a living thing dies it

turns into good dirt, or topsoil, where new forms of plant life can grow. The

"Rainbow People" give back to the land as well as take from it.

Another character buys land, surveys it, assesses its value and divides it up,

carrying it off. This character does not see the need to give, but only sees

an opportunity to take. This way of life has no future and cannot continue to

sustain itself.

After the performance the actors shared props with the students and conducted

a question/answer session.