Letting go to feel the freedom to dare is the first step towards diving into the creative dimension. We’ve reached this point with the group of participants involved in the ArtElevate performance workshops we’re holding at Uniamoci Aps in Palermo.
The power of art is beginning to be felt, especially now that, about halfway through the process, the participants are developing the self-esteem and trust in the group that allows them to experiment and make mistakes with little or no fear. Working on oneself is the most complex part, but it allows one to always push one’s limits a little further.
The ultimate goal of the mentors (Martina Di Liberto and Dario Scarpati) is to support and guide the group of five participants in creating their performance, although the value of the process itself has a significant impact on the participants, who, with each passing moment, become more confident, motivated, and resourceful.
We became familiar with breathing and voice, rhythm, gestures, and movement, and we played with expressions until we were able to stage situations. We encouraged participants to explore their imagination and empathy, embracing the concept that in art and theater, anything can happen if you’re willing to open yourself to the surprising and unexpected.

The exercises focused on observation and imitation/reflection, on leading and being led, established a strong connection between the participants. Through experimentation, they discovered something about themselves and others through a form of communication that didn’t necessarily require verbal communication.
Communication is the underlying theme of the performance we’re working on.
From the discussions, it emerged that the group is highly motivated to express themselves and convey an important message, or simply to assert their presence in society. Given the opportunity to address an audience, they all agreed they wanted to do so with sincerity and frankness, even sharing situations from their own experiences, but they wanted to do so with a touch of humor.

We’ve thus improvised some initial scenes that will form part of the final performance we’re building together, which is gradually developing, incorporating what emerges from the workshop experiments and the participants’ own suggestions and ideas.
We’re in the midst of creation, and it’s an exciting moment for everyone: not knowing exactly what will happen, but having the power to decide and make it happen, is generating a great deal of curiosity, positive impatience, and a desire to get involved among the participants.
Let’s continue on this path: it will be our job, as mentors, to facilitate the creative process of the performance and enhance the talent and expressiveness of each participant.

Martina Di Liberto