The Sparks Collaborative Ensemble is a working group of all kinds of artists – creating performances that inspire you to look up and look sideways, to reach out and embrace this complicated world.

We start with words created by a playwright, then dancers, actors, visual and sound artists, and sometimes scientists, use the words – and each other’s work – as a spark.

Together, we build joyous art none of us could make alone. And whether it’s onstage, outdoors or online – we share surprising stories rich with life and laughter. If you fall, maybe you’ll bounce. Wiggle your toes in the surf and feel the pull of galaxies.

We are diverse in age, gender identity, ethnicity, ability and artforms – in our work and in the audiences that we serve. We create performances both for and with kids, elders, neurodiverse artists, creative adventurers – and you.

Many thanks to Kim Dohrman
of Creative Clay for this lovely logo!

When the Tuba Shows Up,
It’s Creative Clay’s Big Fundraiser

April 21, 2023 at 6:45 pm
Nova535, St. Petersburg

A spectacular live performance developed with the Member Artists and Transition Students of Creative Clay, choreographer Paula Kramer, dancer Helen Hansen French, actor Stephanie Roberts and Tuba player Kendrick Wilson.

When the Tuba Shows Up,
It’s a Party

a free illustrated audiobook for kids

and a live performance
April 21, 2023 at 6:45 pm
Nova 535, St. Petersburg
creativeclay.org/spring-for-the-arts-2022

With actor Stephanie Roberts, choreographers Helen Hansen French and Paula Kramer, Tuba player Kendrick Wilson, and the fabulous dancers and singers of Creative Clay!

Rights of Springtime

March 11, 2023 at 6:30 pm
Morean Arts Center, St. Petersburg

Written for Paula Kramer and Mimi Rice, a short work of dance and theatre set in Tom Kramer‘s gorgeous photography exhibition – about rewriting the stories you tell about your life, to eliminate the laundry and the everyday, and celebrate the magic. Part of a beautiful performance celebrating Tom Kramer’s visual artwork and including dances choreographed by Helen Hansen French and Andee Scott.

Splish Splash

A free illustrated audiobook for kids – with illustrations by the Member Artists of Creative Clay! Listen, watch and read along here.

Billow

May 20, 2022
Nova535, St Petersburg FL

A celebration of being you, being spectacular and being seen – a Sparks Collaborative Ensemble project with visual art, voice and movement by Creative Clay – with dancer Helen Hansen French, actor Jan Neuberger, choreographer Paula Kramer and words by me. Part of Creative Clay‘s Spring for the Arts fundraiser.

In Celebration

Throughout 2021
at Creative Clay

A Sparks Collaborative Ensemble project – creating movement, visual art, theatre, poetry and song inspired by words, with the terrific artists of Creative Clay and our wonderful team members actor Jan Neuberger, singer and actor Stephanie Roberts and poet Helen Pruitt Wallace.

An exhibition of the visual artwork from this project and special performances took place at Creative Clay to celebrate Paula Kramer’s spectacular 85th birthday. This project was funded by a grant awarded to Paula Kramer by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs and the St. Pete Arts Alliance.

Paula Kramer mentored visual artists Chris C. and Hanna V. as they created a dance inspired by my short play Tune for the Triangles, performed during rehearsals by Vickie Daignault.

A rousing rendition of Boing! was performed by Gina K., Lindsay J., Marquise R. and Jan Neuberger.

Stephanie Roberts created the celebratory crowd-pleasing song “Good Time” with suggestions by Mikey J. and Sarah D., and all three performed together – plus an encore with the audience all dancing. Marissa H. wrote the ekphrastic poem, “Dream Catcher” inspired by her painting of the same name, with mentorship from St. Pete Poet Laureate Helen Pruitt Wallace.

*Boing! performed by Marquise R., Gina K, Jan Neuberger and Lindsay J.*

*Mikey J. rehearsing with Stephanie Roberts*

Sparks in the Rain

November 13, 2021 at 6:45 pm
Creative Pinellas Gallery Courtyard

A Sparks Collaborative Ensemble project – a colorful and humorous look at family, memory and Florida weather. Featuring dancers Helen Hansen French and Fernando Chonqui, actor K Chinthana Sotakoun, visual art by Creative Clay and ukulele player and visual artist Emily Stehle.

Part of the Creative Pinellas Arts Annual festival 2021. Creative Clay’s visual art inspired by this script will be on display at the Creative Pinellas Gallery November 11 through December 19, 2021.

*Creative Clay’s visual artwork inspired by the script*

Tune for the Triangles
and Boing!

May 15, 2021
Roser Park, St. Petersburg

A joyous collaboration to celebrate the installation of new public artwork in lovely Roser Park – inspired by the bounce and rolling in Jeff Whipple’s artwork.

Created with Paula Kramer and featuring actor Jan Neuberger, dancers Helen Hansen French, Fernando Chonqui and Charlotte Johnson, Dwayne White on trumpet and Kendrick Wilson on tuba.

With a jolly parade before and after, plus the most spectacular downhill-rolling mic delivery Mayor Rick Kriseman has ever had, thanks to Fernando.

And well worthwhile when Jan asked a little girl after the show if she’d “like to be a ball” and she said yes, so they started bouncing.

Happy New Year

May 2, 2021
Sunscreen Film Festival
sunscreenfilmfestival.com

January 14 at 6:15 pm
Dunedin International Film Festival
dunedinfilmfestival.org

December 11-20, 2020
The Studio@620, St. Petersburg
thestudioat620.org/events/happy-new-year

November 15, 2020
Creative Pinellas Arts Annual
creativepinellas.org/artsannual-virtual-festival

A short film on disconnection, re-connection – and finding new ways to connect.

Happy New Year from Bouncy Boxer Media LLC on Vimeo.

A collaborative creation with choreographer Paula Kramer, director Jim Rayfield. . . dancers Helen Hansen French, Fernando Chonqui and Jessica Obiedzinski. . . visual artists Carrie Jadus, Tony Palms and Ana Maria Vasquez. . . filmmakers Eugenie Bondurant, Mary Rachel Quinn and Stefanie Davis. . . pianist-composer Tom Sivak. . . sound designer Matt Cowley and voice actors Bob Devin Jones and Sharon Scott.

This project is made possible thanks to a St. Pete Arts Alliance Individual Artist Grant and Paula Kramer’s Creative Pinellas Professional Artist Grant.

*Tony Palms – Garlic and Onion Skin Map of the World*

Tiny Plays by Telephone

May 17-June 4, 2020
thestudioat620.org/events/tiny-bedtime-plays-for-kids-and-the-stressed-out

Imaginative audio stories performed live on the telephone.

With Ned Averill-Snell, Eugenie Bondurant, Jan Neuberger, Mary Rachel Quinn, Stephanie Roberts, David Warner and Kate Young. Directed by Jim Rayfield, original song by Kate Young and soundscape by Matt Cowley. With many thanks to The Studio@620.