Join the Coven. Perform the ritual. Help us find her.

Shine On Collective’s recent immersive performance brought us into the middle of a coven to help find someone named Fire who has gone missing. Before coming to the show, we were sent an email from Charlie who invited us to Fire’s apartment and that new initiates might not know much about the ritual or the coven. Upon arriving, each person in our group was asked questions, which none of us could answer because we’ve never actually participated in the coven or ritual before. Thematically, this re-occurs throughout while coven members told us that it can be hard to remember things and that time is also skewed. The perception of time is conveyed through a reversal of words and movements as well as repetitive speech.

As this piece of theatre is appropriately named, the majority of the show itself is set in ritual space employing many practices to engage the audience. The six audience members stumbled through the words and body movements at the start, but as it is repeated more and more, we all slowly gained confidence. We walked in circles, chanting about animal’s interactions with us, along with corresponding hand gestures. All of this leads to an end where all members are designated an animal and are given an opportunity to express ourselves in the center of the circle without sound.

We had transcended any dictated direction and at this point were contributing something unique that came from our own soul. We took our turns and witnessed each person’s interpretation somatically. By the end, I could see the shift in everyone accompanying me and the uncertainty had faded, as we really participated in our own personal ritual. Despite this being a performance, I genuinely felt part of something with this intimate group and I greatly appreciated the space set.

Interspersed among chants, we all interacted with the coven members. This was a show about witnessing and listening to the stories of these women. All of which experienced some sort of loss and separation from society. I couldn’t help but think about the book The Women Who Run With Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, Ph.D, about the wild woman archetype.

Each story told to us was set again within a circle of small bundles of sticks. The symbolism and consistency of this structure throughout helped set the tone and also made it feel as if the intention of all the actions were truly ritualistic versus feeling ingenuine. The structure for me was important in how impactful the performance was.

My reaction to the show overall was strong, as I left the show with goosebumps. As with all things in life, some themes resonate and speak to each of us more than it might to another. This was a show that spoke to me very deeply. As a person who studies depth psychology and practices in ritual spaces, I was impressed with the way that Shine On Collective handled the practices during this performance. These were actual rituals I’ve practiced and it was handled in way that again felt genuine. However, I am not surprised in the least because their story telling is really good, it felt realistic, it is so easy to feel like part of the narrative, and it was so emotionally driven. The Ritual is a show I will not soon forget.

The remaining shows this upcoming weekend are already sold out but be sure to keep a watchful eye on Shine On Collective for the next performance that create. You can visit them online at: http://www.shineoncollective.com/