And So It Begins!

So we have been meaning to post a new blog post since Wednesday, but we actually have a good excuse- We've literally been running nonstop since Patrick and Allegra arrived. Our legs are very tired.

DAY 1

Patrick and Allegra both arrived at 10:30am Wednesday morning- in opposite terminals. We parked at Allegra's terminal, and promptly received a message from Patrick that he landed early. So we booked it across LAX international airport and made it just in time to wait for him. We had the best sign. We stood in front of all the other sign holders, so as to have the best position.

Those poor sissy sign holders, having to be outshone by our clearly superior sign.

And there he was! We had a completely surreal moment, this being the first time the 3 of us had been together in 6 years. Then Allegra called from baggage claim. The running commenced. With Patrick in tow, we ran shamelessly across the airport, sign in the air, yelling for Allegra, when we could breathe.  Totally in shape. Totally.

Allegra's sweet sign

Then we finally found Allegra outside with her bags... the moment was surreal to say the least.

Excitedly we packed up all of our baggage and quickly headed for ALi's apartment. We dropped off our stuff and departed almost immediately for rehearsal. Luckily we all had time to explore our performance/rehearsal space at MiMoDa Jazzo Studio before we began.

A big thank you to Yasha at the Mimoda Jazzo Studio 

for allowing us to use such a beautiful space

Our first rehearsal consisted of going through the canovaccio and discussing it, starting to choreograph the more acrobatic scenes, and beginning some Lazzi. We realized quickly how much more technical warm-up and commedia games we would need to do before rehearsing. Liam met us with us at ALi's church, our other rehearsal space, in the afternoon. This was a magical moment... for the first time in six years we were all in a room together playing and devising.



DAY 2

Day two began early at ALi's church. They were kind enough to allow us to use the enormous gymnasium that also has a stage in it and really any other room that was free was open for us to utilize. The best part was... we were allowed to full use of the kitchen where we could take short breaks to make lunch and dinner.When you are counting your pennies it is good to have a place to cook your own food.

Makin' some sammiches...

The morning we used to get into our bodies and re find our commedia techniques through games and interviews of each character. We began to improvise some of the lazzi and add to our script. When we got home that night we made Yard Sale signs to advertise for Saturday's fundraiser. We had some Magnum chocolate ice cream bars to celebrate the finish to a busy but productive day.  

DAY 3


Day three started with canvassing the city. We left flyers at every theatre, cafe and studio we could find open. Allegra, Patrick, and Dory were a little distracted at Hollywood and Vine. They made their way down the walk of stars waiting for the flyers to be printed in the early morning.

They enjoyed lunch together at ALi's other job and favorite cafe The Village Bakery and Cafe before going straight to MiMoDa studio to rehearse. At this point only the ending needed to be fleshed out. We played with a mock up of the shadow puppets and silhouettes behind the shadow screen.

We rehearsed and practiced technique until midnight. At this point the show can be run and pieces can be worked over and over again for specificity and cleanliness. Tomorrow we have the Yard Sale at 8 am. We will be rising early (around 6:30) to start our day. Such is the life of the artist... love love love!!

Meet Tut'Zanni - Introducing: ALi Landvatter

We wanted to take the time to introduce you all to the members of Tut'Zanni Theatre. Just a quick background about the group, we all met while studying physical theatre at the Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy during the Spring 2006 semester. We have since gone on to do many different things but have never forgotten or lost the connection we forged there. As we come together again over the next few weeks we will be introducing ourselves to you while reconnecting with each other. 


INTRODUCING: ALi Landvatter

Role: Founding President & CEO
Location: Los Angeles, California










In her own words:


When did you first know you were interested in theatre?


I've known I wanted to be an actress for as long as I remember. I was in plays and musicals as a little girl in Dutch Harbor, Alaska, where my mom started the theatre program in our small community. It never stopped for me, and I've always been in improv groups, and studying various forms of theatre, with a particular affinity for foreign theatre styles, such as Japanese theatre (Noh, Kabuki, Bunraku- I love the puppetry and shadow puppetry), and obviously commedia.


How did you hear about the Accademia dell'Arte and what made you decide to attend the 2006 program?


I graduated high school at 17 and didn't want to go to regular college. I wanted to go to Italy, and I wanted to study theatre by DOING theatre, and the Accademia was the only place to offer it, and it looked awesome. It was extremely difficult and timely for me to get in, I was only 17, I wasn't in college yet, but somehow I was accepted and everything fell into place, making me the youngest student the Accademia has had to date!


What did you do after you returned to the USA?


I returned stateside, and went to the University of Utah- I studied more Japanese theatre, as well as acting and directing Shakespeare. And of course continued to study more clown and commedia and all that beautiful physical theatre on my own time. Then I moved to LA and dabbled in some film, which was fun, but not my passion.


What was your most recent project(s)?


I was in a play called The Dark Side of the Moon, a play to the album of The Dark Side of the Moon. I also joined Mimoda Jazzo Gruppa, a movement theatre company, and am still currently performing with them. 


Why did you decide to create Tut'Zanni?


After an incredibly difficult time in my life (or perhaps right in the middle of it), I trapsed off to Europe for some good old-fashioned self-discovery (or re-discovery), healing, and maybe a little sight-seeing. I re-ignited my love of life and decided to chase after my passions, and thus Tut'Zanni was born. Lucky for me, I roped in one of my dearest, best friends to run along with me with this crazy project. And then of course I was stoked to have so much support from my peers, and am so happy a few of them agreed to come work with us. I am excited to see everything we can and will accomplish... I can feel the momentum just building behind it. I really feel it will be something huge that will explode into the theatre world. I'm hoping that it will be something new and exciting that will touch people's lives and hearts.