The first design for the Séance was July 18, 2001. Here are the notes. A séance could be performed using the Dagmar the Magician props. These are from the late 1800's or early 1900's. They are (1) Spirit Curtain (2) Cowbell (3) Tambourine. The Medium could have an Elemental behind the spirit curtain and people could reach things under the curtain and she throw them out. {TO SEE AN ELEMENTAL} Specifically like notes. I don't recall ever trying the lemon ink (it is supposed to be invisible but when heated or burned becomes visible) but could have previous writings on the paper and make audience think they are from the elemental. Audience then burn them in the candelabra (three candle holder) representing the three people on the crosses at Jesus' execution. Could use a bulb device (palpitator) under a table cloth to move water in a glass in the presence of spirits.
The palpitator could be built into the table cloth by sewing two pieces of cloth together. Could use Art Magic Spiritualism book that was copyright in 1898 as a source of magic spells to call the spirits. I probably should make a cloth and not a table with secret pockets in one end, the end behind the foulard that is manipulated by the elemental.
July 17, 2001 notes. Séance table drawing. Use two card tables on the medium side make a black art table cloth. Sew two pieces of cloth together. Put a gold border around the edge about 1/2 way down the drop. On the Medium's side make a slit at the Gold border for a secret pocket. In it keep a palpitator bulb that runs to just underneath the glass. Use it to make the glass vibrate in the presence of spirits.
The next notes were made 21 February 2002. 1) (untested) use dissolve paper to write the name of the person you want to contact. Put it in the glass of water that is over the palpitator and stir it up. 2)Use magenta flame for the candles.
As the performance came together with possibilities of individual venues additional notes were written 28 March 2006. The Séance could be performed at the Pearl in a corner. Could use the folding table from my room. Use a medium but do not tell the audience with whom the medium is communicating or where he is from and what are his credentials. Just say he can travel freely through space and time. Use silks sewn together with palpitator between. Add fringe to the silks edge. Use a picture silk on the top as a method of knowing how to place the silk on the table. (with palpitator on side of medium) and (specific place on the picture as place to set the bowl) Use a birthday candle to light the bowl. When candle burns down and water puts it out the séance is over.
Could use water from Jim Jones birth place. Could give participants grape kool-aid. Use dissolving paper for participants to write their name and place it in the water. Have participants place their hands to the side of the bowl so they will know the table is not shaking. (trade name "dissolvo paper") I could write "JIM" in blood on the dissolving paper and place it in the bowl...Call the communicating spirit an entity and that he can only communicate positive things. He will not move the water if it is negative. It is something like movement is life (YES) and no movement is (DEATH). The medium will tell you when there is no movement. Use the bell to summon the entity with each question. Just before each question.
Medium must believe that he/she will give the correct answers. Meaning the truth is within them and they will bring it out. NOT FAKE but real. Could hand out tickets that say "free séance reading" either on dissolve paper or have dissolve paper stabled to them. Could need larger glass to drop in the ticket. Could use spirit water (change) as the source of the answers. could make elaborate stories of how spirit of the water gave the medium the ability. (especially if use dragon silk then oriental story) or could use through spirit of the water. If we use a separate bowl/glass of water for the dissolve paper we could have it on another table or have another (dressed??) person collect it.
5 November 2006 Evolution is Happening for next years Dayton Performance Art Festival or a similar venue. Use the form of Environmental Theater combined with a stage environment to do work.
1. Combine Séance (on stage or at stage venue) with an Environmental theater of handing out Evolution bibles.
2. Could use flirty fishing
3. Design for 5 minutes but could be expanded or compressed.
4. Use cell phones to communicate or CB radios (could use one - then the other for a back up)
5. I do not know if I want the audience to hear the communication (could be amplification) (could have séance reader in an audience position) (Could have audience reader do it for 2 hours)