The Collider Project to Side by Side
We found that we are more the same than we thought.
By Harry Hamzat, Youth Ensemble Lead.
In April, the ENCOUNTER Youth Ensemble collaborated with canadian company, Mammalian Diving Reflex (MDR) in a creative development ending with a public showing, Socialising Like a Senior, where they presented their findings. The Collider Project is a methodology developed by MDR and Damian O’Donnell, where two differing groups metaphorically collided together, then make a presentation about said collision.
In ENCOUNTER’s own version of The Collider Project we, the youth ensemble, decided to explore what would happen if we collided older people with young people.
Mammalian Diving Reflex workshops with the ENCOUNTER Youth Ensemble and City of Stirling young people. Credit: Satchen Lucido
The show's main focus was socialising. Learning what it meant to socialise before the screens before everybody had a little computer in their pocket at all times. Seniors spoke of local balls held by churches, impromptu beach drives and dancing on stage with their friends acting a fool.
The first iPhone was released when I was four. Cellphones gradually became a major facet of life as I grew up; for the majority of my life, I've had a phone in my pocket. So, to hear from people who lived a lot of their life without it was intriguing. The feelings of constant attachment to a metal brick had become a universal feeling almost over night. A relatable adorkable quirk.
“It was speaking to one of the seniors, Jenni, that made me realise it wasn’t as adorable as I thought.”
Jenni was one of the seniors we met on our walk on Scarborough beach on a Saturday afternoon. A warm smile and completely onboard with the project. When approached about our project, while washing her feet at the fountain, she told us that she would love to be a part of it but, had to finish her meditation first. Which we of course joined!
What was a fun conversation slowly pulled the curtain from a feeling I think everybody is burying. The feeling that your phone was stealing your life away.
“A deep sinking feeling that the thing in your pocket was slowly sapping away a part of your life and what a generational quirk became a sad revelation. “
She began to tear up speaking about her addiction to her phone. I think at that moment we were all Jenni.
The artistic process of MDR is always so different, strange but availing. It was not always existential, it was fun too. I remember while at the Filipino restaurant Pala5 when talking to Dorothy, another senior, a member of the youth ensemble, used a slang word common in queer spaces, meaning feminine and powerful.
Exploring language with Dorothy, Alexia Skipper and Harry Hamzat. Credit: Satchen Lucido
In Australia, and most of the English-speaking world, it is a disparaging curse word used to demean women. Dorothy did a double take and gave the most shocked expression when she found out how young people use it. Then proceeded to use it several times after she heard this new use.
MDR projects always remind me of how similar people are. We all crave connection and are all a little lonely. But that’s ok. In our collision we remembered how integral socialising is. What we have gained over time is socialising, but also what we have lost.
From this project it is clear that there is value in intergenerational relationships. Both groups learnt something from the other. Whether it be offensive slang, or the value of calling someone out of the blue. The Collider Project is something I think we should have in some form everywhere.
This pilot project was made possible through the incredible support of the City of Stirling, the Canada Council, and our partners Mammalian Diving Reflex and Amana Living.
A massive thank you to our collaborators, the Amana Living seniors, young people from the City of Stirling and our Youth Ensemble, for sharing stories and creating unforgettable memories with us.
The Collider Project: Socialising Like a Senior audiences joining the performance in City of Stirling. Credit: Satchen Lucido
Through this pilot project we have developed a performance and residency program, Side by Side, bringing together young people and seniors to create work that tells their story, tailored to the community it is created with.
The model has been developed specifically for touring. If you are interested in hearing more, reach out to us hello@encountertheatre.com.