By Bobbie Kidder
Hands Across the Ocean
is in the midst of its exchange. Our American troupe left Grants Pass in
mid-August:
Samae Horner, a 20-year-old dancer from Ashland; Loraine Sherman, a
76-year-old actor from Williams;
and me, a 40 something actor-traveler from Grants Pass. My dream for this
project has been an
international/intergenerational troupe--and with only three people, we were
intergenerational. I took it as a sign.
We went to
Petersburg first, then to Moscow and on to Barnaul and Rubtsovsk. The three
of us discovered that
there is magic in mixing generations. We were all
willing to learn from each other's perspectives and more than
willing to
share laughter. When Ron Brown joined us in Moscow we decided that with his
enthusiasm and spirit
of adventure he was a natural for show biz. We signed
him up as a member of the troupe on the spot. He does
a great reading of
"Casey at the Bat."
The
Rubtsovsk actors prepared an incredible production of the Shukshin play,
"The Cock Crows." Our "joint venture"
performance began with the American
troupe's contribution, followed by the Russians and Americans on stage
together. After intermission came the Shukshin play. We performed in two
Rubtsovsk concert settings, in factories,
at a retirement home, and in two
Siberian villages. I wish you could see the entire Russian troupe of 14, but
you
will meet five of them when they arrive in the U.S. on September 26.
Our public
performances will be at 8 o'clock PM., October 8 and 9, in the Rogue
Building at RCC. Admission is free.
There will be Russian crafts on sale to
give folks the opportunity to do some early Christmas shopping.
Hands
Across the Ocean's mission is to honor the uniqueness of each other's
cultures while we celebrate our
common ground. I'm grateful that we are
realizing that mission, and I hope you join our celebration.
History
Member Application
Sister Cities International
Postcards
Exchange Highlights
Heart-to Heart Project
Grants Pass Chamber of
Commerce
Photo Album
Winterfest
1997: A Visit to Rubtsovsk
Official Exchange May 1993
Maps
Changing Lives
Student Exchange 2003
City of Grants Pass
Grants Pass Sister City
Bear (Art Project)
Contact Information Recipes
Sister City Board & Advisory Board Members