What does this have to do with theatre?
Great question.
Recently, I have been exploring Aromatherapy, utilizing essential oils in a variety of therapeutic forms—inhaling, diffusing, topical applications, for example. I was introduced to this during Babel; we would have a dozen or so oil roller balls in the room. The teens could use them topically or inhale to re-center themselves, energize, and focus their minds.
After seeing the positive effects, I began to consider how else they may be utilized in my life and work. How can they relieve anxiety, encourage focus, enhance creativity, and ground an artist? In theatre, we don’t tend to utilize the olfactory system to address individual anxiety or building a synergy among a group of collaborators—but what would happen if you did?
In order to explore these intersections and use essential oils more intentionally, I needed to dig deeper into the history, chemistry, and aromatherapy practice. I enrolled in the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies, Foundations of Aromatherapy Certification program (Level one certification). When I’m not teaching or directing, I’m researching Aromatherapy and experimenting with therapeutic blending of oils.
As I continue down this path, I’ll blog about my discoveries here. Maybe you’ll find something useful to calm, stimulate, or re-energize.
For the past month, I’ve been in rehearsal for Julius Caesar. We’ve created a dystopian environment, taking the story to future environment containing a planet ruined by climate change and warfare. Our space that we’re rehearsing and performing in is a converted lecture hall built in the 1970s. Like many theatre venues, it has a long history of blood, sweat, tears…. and dust……. (Click to keep reading)
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