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| CALENDAR OF EVENTS
[ History ]
Interdisciplinary Improvisation / Live Composition Master Class
Join Strike Anywhere's Artistic Director Leese Walker for Interdisciplinary Improvisation / Live Composition Master Class! In this workshop, you'll explore soundpainting, a fascinating live-composing sign language that brings together musicians, dancers, actors, and visual artists. Practiced globally in 33+ countries, soundpainting offers a unique opportunity to experience the magic of spontaneous, collaborative creation. This deep-dive workshop is perfect for arts enthusiasts and those new to improvisation. Whether you're a professional musician, dancer, actor, an avid arts lover, or simply curious about the creative process, this workshop will ignite your imagination and deepen your appreciation for interdisciplinary art. Improvisation experience is helpful but not essential.
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| $50 |
| March 16, 2025 10-12:30 PM |
| Leese Walker is the Producing Artistic Director and founder of Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble, based in NYC, known for their creative placemaking and community engagement projects, ensemble, and applied theatre methodology, as well as being the preeminent soundpainting ensemble in the US. |
TUNING IN: Soundpainting for Leaders & Creators
Attention EDUCATORS, COMMUNITY ORGANIZERS, ARTIVISTS, and PERFORMERS!
Join Leese Walker for Tuning In: Soundpainting for Leaders and Creators, a 4-part masterclass designed to help professionals in education, advocacy, and activism harness the power of improvisation to become more effective, adaptive leaders.
No experience necessary!
Class 1: Wednesday March 26 – SETTING THE TONE
How do we create an environment for trust and collaboration?
In this first session, we’ll establish a foundation for creative leadership. Through engaging, team-building activities, you’ll learn the basics of Soundpainting and experience how its "wrong and strong" philosophy encourages risk-taking, confidence, and adaptability. The focus will be on creating a supportive space where mistakes become opportunities—a valuable mindset for any leader.
Class 2: Wednesday April 2 – DEEP LISTENING
How do we attune ourselves to the moment and those around us?
Great leadership begins with deep listening—paying attention not just to words, but to energy, intention, and the unspoken dynamics in the room. In this session, we’ll explore the art of presence, practicing how to fully receive and build on the contributions of others. Using Soundpainting, we’ll learn how to tune into group dynamics, recognize patterns, and transform what’s offered into something greater. By strengthening your ability to stay open, responsive, and adaptable, you’ll foster trust, creativity, and collaboration in any setting.
Class 3: Wednesday April 9 – COMPOSING WITH WHAT YOU ARE GIVEN
How do we lead with flexibility and embrace the unknown?
The best leaders, like the best improvisers, know that every challenge is an opportunity. In this class, we’ll explore the golden rule of improv—every offer is a gift. You’ll learn how to let go of rigid plans, embrace spontaneity, and build on the ideas of those around you. This practice is invaluable for navigating uncertainty, making space for diverse perspectives, and fostering innovation.
Class 4: Wednesday April 16 – SHAPING THE COMPOSITION
How do we recognize patterns and shape ideas into action?
This session focuses on structuring ideas into a cohesive vision. We’ll explore common storytelling frameworks and compositional techniques to refine our leadership and creative decision-making skills. You’ll practice critical thinking, pattern recognition, and strategic spontaneity—all essential for shaping effective meetings, performances, and group collaborations. In the final half hour, participants will have the option to invite guests and share their work in an informal, supportive setting.
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| $200 (Use code: TUNINGIN2025 for $50 OFF!) |
| March 26, April 2, April 9, April 16, 2025 Wednesdays, 7-9 PM |
| ABOUT LEESE WALKER
Leese Walker is the founder and Producing Artistic Director of NYC’s Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble. The company of jazz musicians, dancers, designers, and actors has been working at the crossroads of activism, arts and social justice since 1997. A leading expert in Soundpainting, she helped adapt this universal sign language for theater and is one of only five certified multidisciplinary Soundpainters in the U.S. She has performed and taught at Lincoln Center, BAM, and internationally in Paris, London, Milan, Madrid, and Indonesia. Her street theater and creative placemaking work has been featured on ABC, CBS, NPR, and CNN Chile. A master teaching artist, she has trained educators at Lincoln Center, BAM, and Roundabout Theatre. She is a recipient of the BAX Arts Educator Award and the APPEX Fellowship.
ABOUT SOUNDPAINTING
Soundpainting is the universal sign language for live composition. The language is comprised of over 1500 signs and allows a conductor/composer to sculpt a performance in real-time with improvising actors, musicians, dancers, and visual artists. The technique was created by N.Y. composer Walter Thompson beginning in the late 1970's for use with jazz musicians. It has evolved into a multidisciplinary language that is practiced worldwide. The art of Soundpainting is a delicate interplay between the Soundpainter and the performers – a dialogue in which an improvised composition is constructed before your very eyes. |
TELL ME SOMETHING
Grab a brew, settle in for some laughs and join the Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble at The Rat NYC while we animate your stories, photos, gestures, and more, live through soundpainting. Come be our muse—you give us a story, we'll we've you a world!
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| $5 Early Bird Tix, $10 at the door |
| April 1, 2025 7 PM |
| The Ensemble: Leese Walker (Soundpainter, Actor), Nolan Kennedy (Soundpainter, Actor), Laurie Churba (Costumes), Bryce Payne, Vimal Pradeep, Crystal-Marie Alberson, Anel Carmona, Rolf Sturm (guitar), Rob Henke (trumpet) |
SOUNDPAINTING CERTIFICATION WORKSHOP
Learn the internationally renowned method of conducting live composition from the man who invented it, Walter Thompson as well as certified interdisciplinary Soundpainter Leese Walker. If you are a performer of any kind, don’t miss this!
Class Description: Each participant will review the basic 44 gestures (Level 1) as a performer and also as a Soundpainter – a composer in real time. We will explore what each gesture means, how to play it and how to physically sign it and some of the ways it is used when composing. After reviewing the first 44 gestures we will add new signs (Level 2). At the conclusion of the Soundpainting workshop each participant will be familiar with approximately 75 Soundpainting signs both as a performer and as a Soundpainter.
Soundpainting Certification:
Walter Thompson and Leese Walker will offer Soundpainting Certification as part of the workshop. To gain Soundpainting Certification in the music discipline, each candidate is required to fully comprehend the theoretical, physical and compositional aspects of the first 44 signs (Level 1) from Workbook 1. Those seeking multidisciplinary Certification would need to fully understand the signs of Workbook 1 and the first chapter of Workbook 3 (multidisciplinary).
NOTE: Anyone can teach Soundpainting to their group, class, etc. no matter what level of knowledge they have of the language. The Certification test exists for those who would like to test their knowledge of the language and to those where certification would support their desire to teach Soundpainting in schools, universities, etc.
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| $150 |
| April 19, 2025 10-6 PM EST | Lunch break from 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM |
| The Walter Thompson Orchestra (WTO) was created in 1984 as a vehicle for Thompson’s notated compositions and improvisation-based works. In the early days Thompson would combine Soundpainting with his compositions and improvisation-based works in order to steer the piece and less to compose it in real time. Over the years Thompson developed Soundpainting into a fully codified live composing sign language. To date, the multidisciplinary Soundpainting language comprises more than 1500 signs. |
DECENNIA - REMIX THE DECADES
DECENNIA: Remix the Decades is two-nights of cutting-edge live composed performances featuring multi-disciplinary ensembles from around the world. Reaching back hundreds of years and leering into the future, each group will remix the sounds, sights, and vibes of specific decades. Each performance is a once-in-a-lifetime chance to experience some of the hottest experimental live performance set in the heart of the Bushwick nightlife hub.
Hosted by decorated drag darling Vanity Lavain (winner of 2024's Glam Awards Best Dressed). Her wit will tittle you, her lewks will exhilirate you! Don't miss this missy mistress serving up the perfect paring of crowdwork and proud werk! Come for the snazz, stay for the jazz!
Plus, you'll catch other performances from ledgendary downtown musician Frank London and more!
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| $25 pre-sale | $30 at the door | $15 for student and working artists |
| April 25 & 26, 2025 7-11 PM |
| Featuring performances by:
Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble
Walter Thompson Orchestra
Letter of Marque Theater Company
Sam Day Harmet Soundpainting Collective feat. Abazaba |
TELL ME SOMETHING
Grab a brew, settle in for some laughs and join the Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble at The Rat NYC while we animate your stories, photos, gestures, and more, live through soundpainting. Come be our muse—you give us a story, we'll we've you a world!
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| $5 Early Bird Tix, $10 at the door |
| June 3, 2025 7 PM |
| The Ensemble: Leese Walker (Soundpainter, Actor), Nolan Kennedy (Soundpainter, Actor), Laurie Churba (Costumes), Bryce Payne, Vimal Pradeep, Crystal-Marie Alberson, Anel Carmona, Rolf Sturm (guitar), Rob Henke (trumpet) |
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