Secret Ingredients
Artist: KEELY O’BRIEN (Vancouver)
In-Development Presentation
January 25 @ 7:30pm
Duration: 30 minutes
Secret Ingredients – Keely O’Brien
Photo by Keely O’Brien
Image description: The words I have my doubts, are written in purple and white curly icing, on top of a cake with pink icing. The cake is also decorated with purple decorations and some green foliage.
Secret Ingredients is a theatre project created by Keely O’Brien that uses cake to explore the intricacies of human relationships. Leading up to the performance, participants are invited to consider messages that they find too difficult to express directly to someone in their life, and submit them via an online form. These messages are translated into beautiful, subversive, and delicious cakes, which are delivered to the intended recipients as an edible form of communication. Currently in development through Theatre Replacement’s COLLIDER artist residency, the project will culminate in a live performance and cake tasting, inspired by the cakes and the stories behind them. Secret Ingredients takes a playful and intentionally inefficient approach to the challenges of honest communication. The project invites reflection about connectivity and provides an intimate window into the quirks, nuances, joy and heartache of real relationships. At this work-in-progress showing, Keely will share her research and creation process so far, including real-life messages of unspoken feelings, unorthodox cake designs, and plans for future development. And yes, there will be cake!
Created by: Keely O’Brien
KEELY O’BRIEN (she/her) is an interdisciplinary artist in Vancouver, on the unceded territories of the Coast Salish Peoples, including the xʷməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam), Skwxwú7mesh (Squamish), and Səl̓ílwətaʔ/Selilwitulh (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. Her practice incorporates intricately handmade objects with innovative theatre creation. Devoted to a thoroughly DIY process, Keely’s work includes immersive installations, imaginative ephemera, and interactive experiences. Her practice is firmly rooted in collaborative, socially engaged endeavors, often inviting public contribution and exchange. Frequently site-responsive and engaged with questions of place, home, and belonging, Keely's work aims to celebrate the potential for creativity and community in the place and people around her. Keely is Co-Artistic Director of experimental theatre company Popcorn Galaxies. She holds a BFA in Theatre Performance from Simon Fraser University.
CONTACT
Kelly O’Brien
keely.rois.obrien@gmail.com
keelyobrien.ca
Instagram: @keely.rois.obrien