The Valley Studio: a Reunion and a New Web Site

[post 101]

A Message from Reid Gilbert

[For many of us old-timers, the Valley Studio in Spring Green, Wisconsin was a formative part of our movement theatre education back in the late 1970s.   Under the all-embracing leadership of Reid Gilbert, it brought together teachers and performers of mime, clowning, circus, dance, and physical theatre in a beautiful setting and supportive atmosphere.  It is probably no accident that the two festivals that introduced American audiences to international movement theatre artists were also in Wisconsin: Lou Campbell's International Mime Festival at Viterbo College in Lacrosse (July, 1974) and FOAM, the Festival of American Mime, in Milwaukee (August, 1978).  Now Reid is in New York for a reunion (see below) but also to help launch a web site recording the history and many individual stories of Valley Studio participants.  You can check out the alpha version of the site here.  And here is Reid's letter explaining these plans in greater detail... —jt]


Hello,

The internet allows us to find old friends and  share experiences in ways that we would not have been able to imagine back in 1970.  From 1970 - 1979,  Valley Studio in Spring Green Wisconsin brought together a diverse group of talented people dedicated to studying and performing all disciplines of speaking and physical theater arts.

Our goal is for all of us from those Valley Studio days to reconnect and share our memories on the common ground of our own web site.

As the founding director with several alumnae initiating this project, we are inviting you to view an early format of the Valley Studio website.

Our vision is to construct a site with the capacity to  offer stories and memories , personal web pages and a directory. The website address is www.valleystudio.000php.com. In its current form you can view an early  sample personal web page and instructions on how to submit your memories and photos for your future web page.  Please do not concern yourself with the design of the page or the format.  The formatting of all personal  pages will be done by a professional webmaster and will be a very simple,  basic design. This site is being constructed as a means for all alumnae to be in touch and to see what others have done or are doing now. 

In order to launch this idea there is a Valley Studio gathering to take place in New York City on Sunday October 24, 2010 from 2 PM to 5 PM hosted by myself, Karen Flaherty and John Towsen.  The location is Karen Flahertys home- 11 East 17th Street, 3rd floor. Home number is 212 741 9030.  Please RSVP at home number or valleystudio.springgreen@gmail.com by Friday October 22.

Please join us and bring your questions, suggestions  and mailing lists. Beverages and appetizers are welcome!

Feel free to reach me directly if you have any questions.  I will be in New York October 21 through October 24 and can be reached at  212- 741- 9030.

Hope to see you soon on the Valley Studio web site,
Reid


Spring Green Update (5-30-11):  http://www.wiscnews.com/saukprairieeagle/news/local/article_6dc3961a-6a31-11e0-b1a1-001cc4c002e0.html