Commissioned by The Dairy Center for the Arts in in Boulder CO to take part of 'Veterans Speak'; a series of performances created for and by veterans Nov' 2014. Performed as well at the community Dance Collective in Boulder.
Directing, Writing & Clowning
Performance
"Nahar touches on the tragic without being maudlin and the comic without being superficial – her work is a call-to-action and an open question. Mendelson as Gastrophyca provides existential and political clowning at its best."
-- Emma Sartwell, MDiv
How do you ignore something that is right in front of your face? Gastrophyca, the War Machine, takes a rollercoaster ride with her intrepid canine companion Van Horneff through the vulnerable, devastating, and at times ridiculous hilarity of war. Through her multifaceted character she embodies the different players of war: a warmonger, a dictator, a lone soldier, a doctor, and a mother. She is the war machine that includes the totality of all these roles. This show was created by way of deep exploration, asking questions such as: how does war shape our bodies? What kind of trails does it carve in our minds? How does war influence our most intimate relationships? Gastrophyca -Clown in Ruins is based on the clown teachings of Sue Morrison and the traditions of Pochinko clowning.
Performed at the Dairy Center for the Arts and the Community Dance Collective in Boulder, CO 2014-'15
Gastrophyca - Clown in Ruins
Co-Created by Racheli Mendelson & Myles Goldin
Shoot, Cry & Forget About It!
A Military Clown Adventure
Written and Directed by
Racheli Mendelson and Ensemble
"This tender and poignant clown show about war and soldiers brings together the great tradition of social protest and theater. We recognize ourselves, we laugh, but our heart is sad. Clown practice is deep. It asks us to make fun and also to see the truth of being human. The performers gave their all! They were never aggressive and in a play about war that is mighty!"
--Barbara Dilley
Performed at the Boulder Fringe Festival
and other venues
Performed at Naropa University, Red Rocks Community College and the Boulder International Fringe Festival
Performed at Naropa University, Red Rocks Community College and the Boulder International Fringe Festival
Ensemble created performance, directed by Shoshana Bass. Naropa University
Ensemble created performance, directed by Shoshana Bass. Naropa University
Choreography &
Movement
Over the past seventeen years, Mendelson has trained in multiple styles of dance, including Contemporary, Modern, West African and more. She has choreographed and danced in original pieces performed in Israel, Palestine and the United States.
Naropa university
Acting &
Ensemble Based Performance
Mendelson has been training in acting since the age of 13 and up through obtaining her BFA in performance Arts from Naropa University in Boulder CO. Her experience ranges from clasical greek plays, Sheakspearian theatre, contemporaray American plays and ensamble created performance. One of her most recent works was with the Band of Toughs - I Miss My MTV, performed at the Boulder Fringe Festival 2014.