PSYCHOPOMP - 2021

An adventure in liminality…

 
 

Enter the in-between…

Walk With We

A GUIDED MEDITATIVE JOURNEY THROUGH MCLAREN PARK  

Thursdays through Sundays
May 13 - June 27, 2021

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An intimate experience in Nature, in which individuals or pairs are led on a curated journey through the park, exploring liminal spaces with mythical creatures as guides. Join us for a journey into the spaces in-between… We Players’ creative pra

An intimate experience in Nature, in which individuals or pairs are led on a curated journey through the park, exploring liminal spaces with mythical creatures as guides.
Join us for a journey into the spaces in-between…

We Players’ creative practice involves deep listening and heightened sensory awareness of place. With the launch of “Walk With We”, we invite guests into our process and to places we love, to share in the joys of close attention to site, senses, and self. Nature is always our primary source of inspiration, from our hallmark large-scale productions to these one-of-a-kind guided tours through the gems of our local landscape. We Players’ team members serve as unique tour guides for a very special walk in the park - supporting observation, reflection, and inspiration.

Our beloved city is one of the greenest in the nation, and we’re so excited to bring people into our process and share our work in a new way, while enhancing participants' own ability to perceive and appreciate these places more deeply. This curated walk in the park serves as a meditation-in-motion, a celebration of the senses, and as an invitation to develop habits around attention and presence.

Enter The Liminal: Together we’ll explore the mysterious places in-between, while continuing forward along the path, though we know not where it leads. Participants will walk the route as individuals or as pairs and will encounter guides along

Enter The Liminal: Together we’ll explore the mysterious places in-between, while continuing forward along the path, though we know not where it leads.

Participants will walk the route as individuals or as pairs and will encounter guides along the way - while masked, outdoors, and at a safe six-foot distance. While participants will be in motion almost entirely, there will be brief pauses off the path, in locations essentially hidden in plain view. Our guides are our “Psychopomps”, those mythic and magical creatures from every culture and creed who are tasked to ferry souls between worlds. Who could be more apt teachers in these uncertain times than these beings who reside entirely in the in-between?

Exploring ritual action as a means of collective healing, PSYCHOPOMP brings to life mythic creatures who support our journey through the unknown towards an unforeseeable future. Every culture has created a figure who is conjured in these transitional moments to guide the mortal soul. From Anubis in Egyptian mythology to the Grecian Charon, Ox Head/ Horse Face from China, and the Cat Sith of Celtic lore. In PSYCHOPOMP, each of these guides is brought to life with innovative specificity that charms, provokes, or comforts. As participants move through successive stations, ranging from the silly to the solemn, they will be encouraged to attend to their surrounding environs with heightened sensory awareness, cultivating a greater appreciation for the park and their own present tense. The experience is designed as a meditative journey, supporting mental and physical fitness - participants will elevate their heart rates as they climb the hilly trails of McLaren, as well as elevate personal awareness of both exterior and inner landscapes. We bow in homage to the panoply of cultures represented through these psychopomps and, as artists, we wield our carving tools of creativity to reimagine these creatures in the context of our modern moment.

Each ticket may be used for either one or two people. You may journey alone and enjoy a highly personal and private experience, or you may travel with one other person. $130: Standard ticket price. $50: Subsidized ticket price for those in gre

Each ticket may be used for either one or two people. You may journey alone and enjoy a highly personal and private experience, or you may travel with one other person.

$130: Standard ticket price.
$50: Subsidized ticket price for those in greatest financial need. Please only choose this ticket price if you are in sincere financial need.
$240: Support our subsidized ticket level. Your ticket price at this level ensures that others in greater financial need may still experience this special event.

It's important to us that anyone, regardless of their income, is able to witness our work.
We know the pandemic has affected everyone in different ways - please choose the ticket price that best fits your means.

A limited number of tickets are available at each price point.
Thank you for playing your part!

Inspired by our commitment to accessibility and genuine desire to diversify our audience, we’ll be offering a Pay What You Will ticket option for any BIPOC who are interested. For more information and to sign up, see below in FAQ.

 
 

+ FAQ & Guide for Attendees
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FAQ

Is PSYCHOPOMP suitable for children?
Unfortunately, we are not able to accommodate children for this particular experience. 18 and older only.

How long is the walk?
Your journey will take approximately 90 minutes.
Restrooms are accessible before the journey begins and again at the end. There are no restrooms available along the trail.
Wear comfortable closed toed shoes and layered clothing and bring a water bottle.

How accessible is the walk?
The route involves some hills and includes both paved pathways as well as uneven terrain and trails through wooded areas. While not completely accessible, we are always pleased to support your journey through the environment. Please email us before your show date at reservations@weplayers.org to help us accomodate any special needs.

BIPOC Pay What You Will Tickets
In our pursuit of inclusivity, we're committed to making our work accessible and affordable for those who have historically been neglected or intentionally excluded from the arts. Though we recognize the need of many demographics for discounted tickets, we ask that only BIPOC identifying people sign up in this space. Because the park prohibits on-site sales, no walk-up tickets will be available but we will contact folks to explore available ticket times. Please provide contact info here.

COVID-19 Safety
We're following transmission safety protocols of mandatory face masks and 6-foot social distancing, with timed entry into the walk to separate participants.

Is there seating available?
No. You will be in motion throughout.

Transporation and Parking Suggestions
This journey through McLaren Park begins near the parking area at 21 John F Shelley Drive, off Mansell St in San Francisco.
Parking is available in a large lot on John F Shelley Drive, with street parking along the Drive as well.
DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR VEHICLE. While the site is not as vulnerable as Golden Gate Park, it's still San Francisco, and we encourage you to ensure that nothing is visible in your vehicle when you set off for your journey!

Can I bring my dog?
Unfortunately, you may not bring (even your very well-behaved) dogs to the Walk With We experience.
While dogs are allowed off-leash in McLaren Park, and travelers may very likely encounter furry friends along the way, we can not accommodate dogs on the curated journey through PSYCHOPOMP. Only service animals on very short leashes are allowed. Any service animals must remain off trail during encounters with Psychopomps. Please alert our box office at reservations@weplayers.org prior to your performance date if you will be bringing a service animal.
Again, NO dogs OTHER THAN service animals are allowed within the Walk With We event at McLaren Park. Thank you so much for understanding.

What if my question is not answered here?
For questions about the Walk With We experience, please contact We Players at info@weplayers.org

Guide for Attendees

Arriving
Navigate to the Jerry Garcia Amphitheatre Parking Lot at 21 John F Shelley Drive in San Francisco. You'll see signage to Registration from there.

The closest restrooms are located a ten-minute walk across the street, next to the Tennis Courts at 1398 Mansell St. Please factor this time into your arrival and use the restroom prior to registration. There will not be an opportunity to use the restroom once you start your journey.

What You'll Need
The roughly 90-minute journey covers 1.5 miles of McLaren park. You'll be traversing hills and uneven terrain. To travel comfortably please have with you:

• Warm layers (We promise, it will get cold in the park. Even if it's summer everywhere else.)

• Closed-toed shoes with good tread

• Water

• We highly encourage bringing a walking stick or hiking poles if you have them. There are slippery sections of the trail, and two steep hills to climb. Otherwise, you can borrow one of the sticks we've gathered from the space.

• Your mask. According to our agreement with SF Rec and Park, participants will still need to be masked when interacting with front of house staff and Psychopomps. Please only remove your mask to sip water or eat snacks when 6 feet away from others. Thank you for your understanding and patience.

Wayfinding
The journey is self-directed.

There will be pairs in front and behind you. Travel with purpose and pay attention to the signage to direct you.

• Listen to the Psychopomps and do as they say.

• Sticks with arrows and signage will make your path clear to you. Where there is an arrow attached to the stick, follow it. When there are words on the signage, read them and follow the instructions. Look for the red ribbons along your route that will encourage you and indicate that you're on the right path.

• McLaren Park is a public park enjoyed by pedestrians, cyclists, and many off-leash dogs (like lots and lots and lots of off-leash dogs). Please be aware as you travel to share the path with others.

• Photos and video are not permitted during the PSYCHOPOMP journey. Please turn your phone completely off before you begin. You are making a trip into the in-between - immerse yourself completely and leave the distractions behind...

Who to bring
Each ticket can accommodate two people. For your safety and comfort and that of other park visitors, we cannot allow more than two people to travel together at a time. According to our agreement with the park, we can only accommodate people 18 and older, and cannot allow pets other than service animals to travel the journey. Thank you, again, for your patience and understanding.

+ The Buzz
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"A company that's thoroughly mastered the art of creating site-specific and wonderfully creative and provocative environments."
- Jean Schiffman, SF Examiner

"A good laugh and a spiritual cleansing, too...We Players has included us in their communion with Nature. We are grateful, yet again, for their inventiveness, and playfulness."
- Theatrius

KPOO’s DJ Marilyn discusses PSYCHOPOMP with Artistic Director Ava Roy on Let Me Touch Your Mind

Artistic Director Ava Roy speaks about PSYCHOPOMP on KALW's Open Air

"A wondrous gateway"
Lily Janiak, SF Chronicle Datebook, We Players’ ‘Psychopomp’

"... feel like Alice wandering... through a sort of ancient Wonderland."
Jean Schiffman, SF Examiner, ‘Psychopomp’ a magical, meditative walk through McLaren Park

"These superb actors encourage us to root ourselves to the earth and reach up to the skies. A natural, theatrical setting for troubles to evaporate into the blue."
Barry David Horwitz, Theatrius, "Psychopomp" - Top Actors Guide Us To Celestial Heights

Brian Resler, No Proscenium, ‘Psychopomp’ is a Walk with Purpose

+ Psychopomps & Creative Team
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THE GUIDES:
Papa Legba: Rotimi Agbabiaka
Ox Head/ Horse Face: Ling Ling Lee
Hermes: Pearl Marill
Anubis: Drew Watkins
Valkyries: Chris Steele
Charon: Nick Dickson
Cat Sith: Alan Coyne
Ix Chel: Regina León

Due to a serious injury, Regina León will not be physically present on site but the installation at her station is inspired by the beautiful work she's done to bring Ix Chel to life. Thank you, Regina. We are all sending thoughts for easeful healing.

THE CREATIVE TEAM & CREW:
Creative Director: Ava Roy
Assistant Director: Britt Lauer
Art Director: Brooke Jennings
Team Manager: Chris Fennell
Team Members: Monica Herbert, Kate Sachen, and Laraine Gurke

Tremendous thanks to Chun Wong and Sherman Lim for their generous donation of fine textiles that will help to make this and future projects gorgeous!

+ The PLACE
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McLaren Park
At 313 acres, McLaren Park, San Francisco's second largest park, offers a wide range of both active and passive recreational opportunities. These elements range from trails and paths, to six playgrounds, five picnic areas, tennis and basketball courts, an amphitheater, natural areas, a clubhouse, an off-leash dog play area, golf course, reservoir, lake, marsh, baseball diamonds, and other amenities. The park has significant topographic changes, with over 425 feet of elevation change, and sweeping vistas of downtown San Francisco, the East Bay and San Bruno Mountain.

https://www.sfrecpark.org/716/McLaren-Park