Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble

Established in 1997, the Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble is an interdisciplinary collective of world-class improvisers. The company creates provocative performances and innovative education programs that promote empathy, creativity and civic discourse. Strike Anywhere’s work is guided by the words of Bertolt Brecht, "Art is not a mirror held up to reality but a hammer with which to shape it." SA performances always feature live music, physical theater and dance. Strike Anywhere is the preeminent theatre company in the United States practicing Soundpainting, a universal sign-language developed by composer Walter Thompson for live composition with improvisers. Strike Anywhere has performed and taught in over 200 venues in 16 states and eight countries.

ABOUT SOUNDPAINTING

Soundpainting is a universal sign-language for live-composition. The language is comprised of over 1500 signs and allows a conductor/composer to sculpt a performance in real-time with improvising actors, musicians, dancers and visual artists. The technique was created by N.Y. composer Walter Thompson during the late 1970’s for use with jazz musicians. It has evolved into a multidisciplinary language that is practiced worldwide.

Leese Walker was the first actor to work with Soundpainting, and worked with Thompson to adapt the language he was using with musicians for actors.

Strike Anywhere Performance Ensemble is the preeminent theatre company in the U.S. practicing Soundpainting. SA’s Artistic Director, Leese Walker was the first actress to be soundpainted and in the mid-1990’s, she was invited by inventor Walter Thompson to help him adapt the Soundpainting language for theater. She is one of only three certified-multidisciplinary-Soundpainters in the United States. SA’s musicians began soundpainting with Walter Thompson in the 1980’s and are some of the most experienced Soundpainting performers in the world.