Greetings from Chinkapin Craftstead!
Continuing our look back at this past year, we hosted our second Timber Frame Workshop last September, which was guided by our friends Ariel and Dawn from Vermont. Frames for two small cabins for our artist residency program were designed, and after several days of work, it took a dedicated group of builders to chisel and shape all the parts that needed to fit together. In the end, the frames for each cabin were raised in one day.
Click below to watch a video of how that sweet and memorable day unraveled.
Thank you to everyone who helped make these timber frames a reality!
CASTING CALL FOR “LELAND AND SILAS”
Chinkapin Craftstead, in collaboration with New York City-based composer and instrumentalist bReAd is looking to cast a new workshop of a queer tragic opera in development titled “Leland & Silas.”
“Leland & Silas” is a tale of blossoming queer love and the many ways in which young people coming out can be accepted, rejected, or worse.
Next spring, Chinkapin will host an Opera Camp during which musicians, singers and other artists will come together, rehearse, and perform the world premier of this original opera.
All manner of voice types and styles are welcome to apply.
All kinds of musicians are invited to apply as well (music reading ability required) .
Auditions will take place virtually throughout January 2025.
Please have all submissions sent to us no later than January 7, 2025.
Rehearsals will take place May 10—16, 2025 with performances on May 17 and 18.
Artists traveling from out of town are welcome and encouraged to camp on the land. Some cabins are available for those with special needs, but most of the team will be camping in tents. (Instruments will be kept indoors.)
All meals will be provided as well as a small stipend.
Some assistance with travel expenses may be available as needed, but not necessarily guaranteed.
Cast:
Leland – baritone - (F2 - A4) Captain of the soccer team, senior class president
Silas – tenor (Bb2 - D5) Sophomore, ballet dancer, school newspaper photographer
Terwilliger “Will” – bass - (E2 - F4) Leland’s best bro, co-captain of soccer team
February – mezzo - (Ab3 - G5) Silas’ confidante, ballet dancer
Madison – soprano - (B3 - D6) head cheerleader, Leland’s “girlfriend”
Elizaveta – alto - (F#3 - E5) Russian model/exchange student, Madison’s best friend
Silas’ Mother - contralto - (F#3 - E5) Ballet teacher, guide to Silas
Father – bass profundo– (C#2 - C4) Priest, Leland’s moral authority
For more information, please contact ChinkapinCrafts@gmail.com or LelandAndSilas@gmail.com
Apply for an Artist Residency!
Updated applications are now available to any artists who would like to do a residency with us in 2025. This form and all related information can be accessed on our website. Click HERE to visit.
Use iNaturalist at Chinkapin Craftstead
For any and all visitors to the land, we ask that you help us document the plants that are growing at Chinkapin by downloading an app onto your cell phone called “iNaturalist.” You will simply need to create an account after downloading. The app allows you to take a photo plants on the land and, after identifying then, adds the to a growing database for the area.
For iPhones, CLICK HERE.
For Android, CLICK HERE.
