Perpich students perform original work at Kelley Farm
By Elyse Kaner
Staff Writer
An artistic performance about a farm on a farm? Now that’s a novel idea.
Perpich Center Arts High School student Chris Bruneau of Ramsey balances on fellow student Michael Moen of Coon Rapids, (third from right) in an original multidisciplinary performance piece “...And Only the Land Shall Remain.” Students from the art center will perform the piece at the Oliver H. Kelley Farm next weekend. Photo submitted
If you’re looking for a profoundly different and moving experience next weekend, then Kelley Farm is the place to be.
That’s when about 40-some students from the Arts High School of the Perpich Center of Golden Valley will perform their visually stunning “…And Only the Land Shall Remain.”
The production, created by the students and faculty members, is inspired by Minnesota author Will Weaver’s short story “A Gravestone Made of Wheat.” The story was later made into the award-winning film “Sweet Land.”
Stroll the path together with the student performers as they journey back in time to the post 1920s era for the telling of a moving story about a mail-order bride, Inge, a German National, who ventures to the heartland of Minnesota to carve a new life for herself.
The plot is steeped in love, immigration, struggles, prejudice and promise.
But don’t expect the usual theatrics in this production. Rather, the students have meshed their own original poetry, vignettes, literature, music and dance into a holistic rendering of an epic history piece.
“We’re always about transforming the performance space, even when it’s traditional space,” said Perpich dance teacher Mary Harding, who describes the hour-long show as a “dreamscape.”
Theater in a field
The Perpich arts center students have broken out of the traditional four walls of the theater and have spread their artistic wings onto fields and farmland.
They premiered the piece, comprised of 12 dance/theater sections focusing on life rituals of rural northwestern Minnesota, May 14 smack in the middle of a field in the town of Terrace, Minn.
The elements were unkind that day. Students performed in 45-degree temperatures as rain streamed down on their period costumes. But the show must go on, and, reminiscent of the struggles Minnesota farmers suffered years ago to work the land, the students conjured up a deeper spin on a history lesson well received.
“It moved people to tears,” Harding said.
This is Michael Moen’s first year in dance. The Perpich Arts High School junior from Coon Rapids describes himself more as a math and science kid, but he’s found a new passion – movement. More specifically, modern dance.
“It’s fun,” he said. “It helps me relieve stress. It’s unleashed my inner creativity.”
Telling a story through metaphor
Junior Chris Bruneau of Ramsey is more of a hip-hop guy. He ramped up his rain boots in high butterfly kicks across the cold and damp field during the Terrace performance.
“I really liked the collaboration and being given a story and making a whole show of it,” he said.
And Cody McNallan, a senior at Perpich Center Arts High School is all about theater.
But dance has surreptitiously stealed into his life and gently tugged at his heart.
“I learned you can tell just as much of a story without words,” he said of the production. “I’m definitely going to do a lot more of that later in life.”
Site specific pieces, whether performed in a field or on a farm, are more like creating a film – dashing around, trying to get focus and staking out a grid, said Perpich theater teacher Tory Peterson, who borrowed the title “…And Only the Land Shall Remain” from Ecclesiastes to add a spiritual tone to the epic piece.
“It’s really more about telling a story through image and metaphor,” he said.
The students started rehearsals in February. The project combines language arts, art history and social studies on the academic side. They studied “Gravestones” and then the politics, history and culture of West Central Minnesota in the post World War I era. The arts side of the piece included creating original works in dance, monologues, music, the literary arts and poetry.
But come and see for yourself. Come to Kelley Farm next Saturday night and immerse yourself in this creative and collaborative adventure.
Perpich Center for Arts Education in conjunction with the Oliver H. Kelley Farm present
a Multidisciplinary Performance Piece
“…And Only the Land Shall Remain”
Inspired by Will Weaver’s “Gravestone Made of Wheat”
Saturday, June 4, 6:30 p.m. Admission, $5
15788 Kelley Farm Road, Elk River
For more information, visit www.mcae.k12.mn.us or www.mnhs.org/places/sites/ohkf
or call the Perpich Center at 763-591-4700
Elyse Kaner is at elyse.kaner@ecm-inc.com
