Past Programs & Performances

Prior Programs:

• Visiting Artists Workshop Series

• Collage Storybook Workshop with renowned artist and dancer Patricia Purwin

• Cultural and Improvisational Dance Workshop with Anna Djanbazian Dance Company

• Creative Theatre and Movement Workshop with AH!’s founder and director Karsen Gould

• Playback Theatre Workshop with Dr. Cindy Carr and the Ventura Playback Theatre

• Contact Improvisation with international choreographer and teacher Ricardo Morrison

• Mask making workshop with a distinguished local artist Marcelino Jimenez and Karsen Gould

• Myth, Movement and Rhythms of Ancient Worlds with internationally acclaimed performer Sharron Rose

• Dancing Culture, Dancing Spirit – a world dance workshop with dancer and teacher Samone Temkin

Performances: Innovative Theatre/Dance Productions

Original Mixed-Ability Theatre/Dance Productions

AH! produces Theatre/Dance Productions of original material created through a collaborative improvisational process, and performed at professional venues such as Center Stage Theater and UCSB’s Multicultural Center. AH!’s diversely talented performance troupe, the innovative Blue Moon Players, was a troupe composed of actors and dancers with and without disabilities. This innovative work, created and directed by Karsen Lee Gould, received rave reviews and served to break through barriers and dispel myths about the gifts and talents of differently- abled people.

Zabella’s Circle Performance

December 2006
Performed at Center Stage Theatre (December 2nd, 3rd, 7th, 8th, and 9th, 2006). An enchanting production, Zabella’s Circle presents imaginative vignettes and tells story of discovering the creative magic waiting in us all. Filled with exquisite visuals and creativity, this inspirational tale beautifully integrates art, music, dance and theatre; including projected art by artists with disabilities. Zabella’s Circle opens your eyes and hearts to the astounding artistic synthesis of people of mixed abilities. This was AH!’s seventh performance in Santa Barbara and was a great success!

Reviews

Zabella’s Circle Media, Cast, and Audience Feedback
The Santa Barbara Independent
Casa Magazine
 

Isle of Silk

Sapphire Eyes

May/June 2002
Performed at Crane School Theatre (May 31st, June 1st and 2nd, 2002). A unique interpretation of Oscar Wilde’s “The Happy Prince”. In this timeless tale the theme of love and compassion prevail as the characters help and care for each other and do what’s right for the world. That is what we at AH! are all about.

Blue Moon Rising

March 2001
Performed at San Marcos High School Theatre. A series of vignettes created through the actors’ imagination and inventiveness and evolved through activities that include movement experiments and theatre games. A magical and enchanting performance that is enhanced by the authenticity and purity The Blue Moon Players bring to this work.

Rising of the Grass and Blue Moon Flowers

July 2000
Performed at Center Stage Theater. A delightful tale to touch and spark your imagination and sense of wonder. An experience in the transcendent power of theatre, as the actors weave magic for their audience, creating joyful, imaginative theatre through their unique gifts of creativity.

Dreams Do Come True

June 1997
Performed at UCSB Multicultural Center by The Devereux Players. An imaginative collection of vignettes and a contemporary improvisational “Cinderella”. This production, full of surprises, is both funny and touching. You will be amazed as performers with disabilities who have been theatre students for only two months to two years – dance, act and play music with joy and authenticity. The show uses original slides as a backdrop and has a great score.
 

Crow Boy

March 1997
Performed at Friendship Center Park Theatre (Elings Park) and at Devereux by The Devereux Players. This Japanese fairy tale tells the story of a boy who is shunned by his peers. Through perseverance and by being true to himself, Crow Boy is ultimately not only accepted, but also teaches everyone about kindness and generosity. This universal tale is performed by a troupe of teenagers with disabilities, who feel very close to this story.
 

Summer Solstice Workshop and Parade

“Heaven’s Dance”

Unity in diversity, a collaboration with Arts for Humanity!, Tri-Counties Regional Center, and Summer Solstice to launch the first project integrating people with developmental disabilities into the Solstice workshop  and parade.

“Tight – Rope Dreamers”

A collaboration with the Milagro project for low-income Hispanic children to be involved in the workshop and parade. This whimsical project included theatre, dance and art.