Hi Michael,

Just wanted to give you an update on the piece. The last section is now complete with everyone dancing, which really changes the feeling of that section by bringing everyone together in unison movment for the finale. I am going to include a solo, as I mentioned, and it will be just before the last section. The solo is dark, animalistic and foreboding. It is about a 2 min. and 43 seconds. In addition, Marina Harris, guest choreographer will be returning on Feb. 26 - March 8 to do one final 5 minute group section on the dance ensemble. In this section the dancers will be filling the cistern back up with mud, which will be wiped on the dancers faces and arms and legs in the last section. (It is going to get messy on stage, but I think create a very powerful final image of the community of people) The score for this section will be a very melodic driving/kinetic drum score. Also, Marina is going to do one more short duet section to the sound of rain. It will be with a man and a woman and will deal with the woman trying to get to the empty cistern and the man keeping her from doing so. The stool section has been shortened and is still evolving choreographically. It is taking on a primitive and mysterious feeling, which I find to be a wonderfully intriguing, and dramatically unpredictable part of the entire work.
At last I start on the first section this week with the entire cast. I am anticipating it will be pretty well complete by Feb. 26. I am very excited about this section, as it will establish the sense of ritual, cycle, and community from which the piece will develop.
Let me know if you would like the new musical sections and if you have had any new ideas or feedback about the work.

I am looking forward to seeing your images.

Ford