DAMASCUS, PA — Farm Arts Collective, based at Willow Wisp Organic Farm, is holding open training sessions in performance skills, music, and writing. The first takes place Thursday, February 1 at 5:30 p.m. at the Western Inn. Sessions are open to all individuals interested in exploring creative performance skills with others. The sessions are free.

Every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., the Farm Arts Collective of local performers, farmers, writers, musicians and folks from all disciplines and backgrounds will meet to explore performance skills and creative collaboration. The ensemble is inviting new participants to join the work sessions. 

The Western Inn is located at 22 Upper Main St., Callicoon, NY. Promptness is required.

Led by Tannis Kowalchuk, organic farmer and theatre artist who specializes in devised ensemble theatre, the sessions will include physical exercises, vocal work, and creative composition. Some sessions will be led by guest teachers.

The guest teacher on February 1 will be Morgan Kaufman, an actress and movement teacher from the Philadelphia area who has worked with Almanac Dance Circus Theatre, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, and at Farm Arts Collective . Last summer she led a Feldenkrais workshop at the farm. 

Participants should wear clothes to move in, bring indoor sneakers or dance shoes, water, notebook and pen.  Registration is not required. 

Contact company manager Jess Beveridge for more information at jess@farmartscollective.org. 

Farm Arts Collective is dedicated to engaging community in life-sustaining practices of Performance, Farming, Food, and Ecology to enhance rural life. Based on Willow Wisp Organic Farm in Damascus, Pennsylvania, Farm Arts Collective is a not-for-profit organization that offers public programming that creatively bridges Art with Agriculture. Founded in 2018 by farmer and theatre artist, Tannis Kowalchuk, the company programs farm-based workshops, performances, education, and community events. Its signature event is DREAM ON THE FARM, an annual site-specific environmental performance presented on the farm every August. The company is committing a decade of creative work to create one new play every year from 2020-2030 on the subject of climate change and environmental action.