SUMMER 2025

Storytelling for DAncers

Offered in Partnership with BodyVox Dancer Center

A weekend INTEnsive THAT EXPLORES THE SPACE BETWEEN MOVEMENT AND STORY

Led by Katherine Murphy Lewis & Andrea Parson

WHEN & WHERE

July 12th 13th

10 AM – 4 PM At BodyVox Dance Center

What language lives in our bodies? How does breath inform our stories? What happens when we blend our body, breath and language? 

In this 6 week series we will blend the body, breath and language to create dynamic stories that move us. Combining the expertise of local Contemporary Dancer Andrea Parson and From the Ground UP’s Artistic Director Katherine Murphy Lewis, we use the combination of personal narrative and movement through dance and physical theater practices. 

 Throughout these 6 weeks we will dive deep into the process that will help you fully embody your story. Each participant will get to immerse themselves in the process of creating new work through the lens of the body. With approaches that create a unique pathway that leads to risky, personal new work, engaging the whole body. 

** NOTE: This process was developed in the rehearsal room during the creation of Andrea’s new work You Can’t Be Serious, directed and dramaturged by Katherine and written and performed by Andrea. After the world premier in fall of 2023 in partnership with BodyVox, currently on tour. 

*Open to individuals of all movement backgrounds and levels.

*Recommended for those interested in applying for our 2026 Artist Residency, if you haven’t already trained with us.

COST $200

Limited Scholarships & Subsidies Available

Email Katherine at katherineftgu@gmail.com to request financial support, make payment or if you have any other questions.



SOLO

CREATING NEW WORK FOR SOLO PERFORMANCE

A week intensive that traverses the early fragile stages of new solo work creation. Taking you from idea to reality. FOSTERING each Artist’s unique voice TO BRING IT fully to life.

Led by Katherine Murphy Lewis

when & where

HISTORIC ALBERTA HOUSE

5131 NE 23rd, Portland OR, 97211

July 21st-25th

11am-4pm

What is the gravitational pull of your work? What story do you keep telling over and over? What makes your story compelling and urgent?

Grounded in the practices from devising, viewpoints, autobiographical theater, moment work and movement/body based storytelling, Katherine brings her unique process of new art creation to the craft of solo performance.

We will explore the craft of solo performance. In this week long intensive Katherine will take you from the ‘idea’ to a fully formed vision.

Solo performance creates the possibility of innovative storytelling, fully utilizing the potential of the performance space. You will create a variety of writing, movement sequences, audio content creation, theatrical moments and visual images, sifting through each piece to discover your voice and unearth your story.

Harnessing the magic of the theatrical space, inviting the unusual, expanding on what is unique to each participants vision, as we push against the boundaries of performance and story.

Katherine’s Bio

Katherine Murphy Lewis has over 10 years of experience directing, dramaturgy, and new work creation. As the founding Artistic Director of From the Ground UP, she has ushered in over 60 new works.

Crafting her own innovative approach to nonprofit leadership and new work creation she has developed a model that puts artists' authentic voices and expressions in the forefront by creating a space for individuals to develop stewardship over their artistry, careers and lives.

Katherine had enjoyed collaborating locally and internationally, including being and in residence with Company of Wolves in Glasgow Scotland, touring Achilles throughout Europe. Locally she co-wrote and co-produced, Tonight Nothing, which premiered at CoHo Production’s summer of 2019. Most recently she produced, dramturged and directed You Can’t Be Serious. Since the world premier in November 2023 You Can’t Be Serious has on to tour regionally and nationally, receiving rave reviews and winning best physical theater at Untied Solo, the largest solo festival in the work in NYC.

*Open to all individuals of any background, no experience necessary.

COST $500

Limited Scholarships & Subsidies Available

Email Katherine at katherineftgu@gmail.com to request financial support, make payment or if you have any other questions.


FOOLISH ENDEAVOR PT 2

avanced CLOWNING

A weekend intensive that develops and expands individual clown characters through ensemble work and play

Led by Lauren Wilson

WHEN & WHERE

SUMMER 2025

DATES TBA

Do you want to make nonsense of all this sense? Have you ever looked in the mirror and thought…what a fool? Do you need more curiosity and spontaneity of self?

Then come join us for a weekend of PLAY !

This exploration of the nature and world of the clown will bring a sense of play back into your work and life. A terribly fun and VERY physical intensive with emphasis on buoyancy, play, sense of humor, and the relationship between clown and audience.

Participants will develop their own unique clown characters through improvisation and ensemble play.

Bring your funny bone, your spontaneity, your willingness and delight, your vulnerability and water and snacks!

LAuren wilson bio

Lauren Wilson is a theatre director, playwright, actor, and our teacher, specializing in physical performance styles and ensemble creation. She is Co-Director of the MFA Acting Program at the University of South Carolina.

Lauren was a faculty member at the DellArte International School of Physical Theatre for twelve years, five of them as School Director. At DellArte, Lauren played a key role in the development and evolution of the MFA and Professional Training programs, where she taught physical acting, mask performance, commedia dellarte, voice, movement, clown, and ensemble practice. She began her career as Director of the Blue Heron Youth Theatre in Vashon, WA, and has taught at the State University of New York, Humboldt State University, Zimbabwe Theatre Academy, Portland Actors Conservatory, American Conservatory Theater, and the SpaceEka Artists’ Residency in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Lauren graduated from Reed College and received an MFA in Theatre from Sarah Lawrence College. Her plays are available through Dramatists Play Service, and in the Vintage anthology Laugh Lines.

*Open to individuals of ALL backgrounds. No experience necessary.

COST $200

REGISTRATION OPENS

April 15th, 2025

Limited Scholarships & Subsidies Available

Email Katherine at katherineftgu@gmail.com to request financial support, make payment or if you have any other questions.