Crossett Brook Middle School welcomes a unique horse troupe
September 14, 2023 | By Will Thorn | Community News Service For centuries horses have occupied a mythic presence in history and culture — from the deceitful Trojan horse to racing stallions such as Secretariat, to the Budweiser Clydesdales. But tonight, a unique herd of steeds set to stampede on Crossett Brook Middle School aims to expand on the images of those famous horses.
Compagnie des Quidams performs at Champlain Valley Union High School last week as one of six shows in The Flynn’s Playing Fields back-to-school series. Photo courtesy of John Killacky
“Galloping wonder and joy” is how Jay Wahl, executive director at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, describes the Playing Fields free multimedia performance scheduled for 6:30 p.m. outside at Crossett Brook.
This is the final show in a series that the Flynn has hosted at six schools across the state with performances by Compagnie des Quidams, an artistic troupe from Bresse Vallons, France.
Since its start in 1994, the company has taken its act to about 50 countries and it performs 150 to 200 shows per year, according to the Flynn. The company consists of about 30 artists and technicians from various disciplines – theater, dance, music, and circus. The show presented for Playing Fields is titled “Proud Horses,” and it was first performed in 2013.
In these Vermont performances, 12-foot-tall inflated horses tower over their puppeteers and the crowd. Costumed performers become part of each horse as their layered costume unfolds and the horses inflate. The person acts as the hind legs while holding the horse up and maneuvering it in the show.
The Flynn started Playing Fields in 2022 with performances at Burlington and Champlain Valley Union high schools by the band Red Baraat and the street theater group Birdmen. Those events went so well that the organizers decided to offer the performances to more schools this year. The goal is to “bring stuff that audiences have never seen before” — joyful, surprising productions that “inspire imagination” in students and the community, Wahl said. And while these giant horses don’t hide soldiers or sprint around a racetrack, they aim to provide a stunning sight for the audiences.
At the start of the show, the performers swinging each horse are fully visible. Slowly, the audience’s attention shifts to the contrast of color and white light that illuminates each horse as it takes shape. Music, neighing sounds, and colored smoke swirling around the performers create a dream-like sequence for the viewers as the horses glide across the field. A conductor holding a feather baton directs this equine ballet.
A vital part of the Playing Fields’ mission is the interaction between the performers and the audience as they joust, dance and play with people in the crowd. During the show, the horses approach spectators, allowing them to “pet” and interact with the larger-than-life animal forms.
“Art is a necessity for students,” said Crossett Brook Co-Principal Jen Durren, who commented on welcoming the Playing Fields event to the school community. It offers a hands-on, interactive experience in something creative, she said, and generates excitement for people of all ages.
Hosting the show this year provides an extra-special back-to-school event as a bit of an antidote to a summer dampened for many in the community by the July floods, Durren said. Playing Fields “allows us to bring everyone together in a positive, celebratory way,” she said, adding that she’s hoping for a strong community turnout and response.
Compagnie des Quidams performs in France. Courtesy photo
The weather forecast for so far looks dry. In case of rain, the show would move inside to the Crossett Brook gymnasium, Durren said.
Playing Fields also has performed recently at Lyman C. Hunt Middle School in Burlington, Winooski Middle School, the Danville School, Vergennes Union High School and Champlain Valley Union High School.
Wahl said he hopes the performances spark wonder and inspiration in the students in particular. He said he’d like them to think, “If this can happen at my school, I can do anything.”
Tonight’s show at Crossett Brook Middle School is free and open to everyone in the community, regardless of whether they have a school student. “Doors” open at 6 p.m., showtime is 6:30 p.m.
For more information and links to Compagnie des Quidams social media accounts, visit The Flynn's website.
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