Introducing the Door Kinetic Arts Festival

Major artists, including Campbell Scott, Eric Simonson, Rick Cleveland and Lydia Diamond, are now confirmed for the debut of the Door Kinetic Arts Festival June 12-19 at Björklunden. Broadway and Hollywood creative artists will collaborate with top Midwest, Wisconsin and Door County artists and performers to develop new plays and dances. Kinetic sculpture and short films will be presented. The community is invited to participate in free classes and enjoy free performances of new works under development.

Conceived and initiated by Simonson, the Door Kinetic Arts Festival offers performing artists the opportunity to come together, collaborate, develop projects, present work and exchange ideas in the process of developing new work.

Confirmed creative artists include festival founder and Oscar-winning Lombardi playwright Eric Simonson, award-winning filmmaker and actor Campbell Scott, best known for The Amazing Spiderman, Big Night and Longtime Companion, Emmy-winning writer/producer Rick Cleveland (Six Feet Under, Mad Men, House of Cards), Broadway playwright Lydia Diamond and Steppenwolf’s Hallie Gordon. Internationally renowned dancer/choreographers Debra Loewen and Susan Rethorst will collaborate on a new dance piece and leading kinetic sculptor Steven Haas of Green Bay will exhibit a variety of mobiles and large outdoor kinetic sculptures.

The artists will begin to gather June 12 to feed off the collective creative energies in different media. Public events will commence June 15, with a free movement workshop for dancers 50 and older led by Loewen and Rethorst, followed by the screening of short films Wednesday and Thursday nights. The film shorts will begin with the world premiere of Scott’s festival-commissioned film, The Fold. Haas will give a free public lecture on kinetic sculpture Thursday, and Cleveland will lead a TV writing master class Friday afternoon.

Björklunden will also offer a seminar, led by Simonson, titled “The Grand Synthesis.” The weeklong morning classes will focus on works and artists that cross over from one medium to another, and will take advantage of the festival activities going on in and around the Björklunden facilities. The seminar takes place during the festival, June 12-17.

Continuing updates, schedule details and more information can be found at doorkinetic.com. All events are free, but organizers recommend reservations be sent to [email protected]. The festival is funded by Ministry Door County Medical Center, Lawrence University, Björklunden, and a variety of individuals. Additional funding is still being sought.