Constructs of Ritual Evolution www.wearecore.com

CoRE
Constructs of Ritual Evolution
Theatre with a Point
www.wearecore.com
[email protected]
Los Angeles/San Francisco
510-409-1441
CoRE is a theatrical troupe that incorporates flesh hook suspension, original music, elaborate props, and
extravagant costuming, founded by Steve Joyner in 2000. We perform globally entertaining 50,000
person audiences, averaging 12 shows annually in a variety of venues (theaters, clubs, art galleries,
etc.), with an average attendance of 500 patrons.
Ritualistic acts combined with traditional performance art and theatre provide us with a new outlet for
artistic expression that enables the audience to join us on our emotional journey. By pushing our own
boundaries in life and art, we inspire others to explore their own. We in CoRE have suspended our own
concept of physical limitation, pierced the heart of our fears, and transcended the boundaries of social
convention in order to further the understanding of the corporeal and spiritual being.
CoRE productions blend the art of body modification with theatrical performance, presenting visceral
components and mind-over-body feats. We educate, inspire, and entertain using a cast of diverse
performers with unique skills, one-of-a-kind costuming, full musical orchestration by CoRE musicians, and
emotionally evocative art direction. Our cast and crew are experienced professionals focused on
providing a phenomenal theatrical experience.
Shown: A 10 hook side suspension.
TELEVISION
PRINT
Modify
FILM
Sanatorium
Universal Soldier 2
PUBLIC SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS
Cal State-Northridge (CA)
Baylor University (TX)
University of Florida (FL)
Alex Gray’s Chapel of Sacred Mirrors (NY)
NYU (NY)
Shown: Interpretive dance
LIVE PERFORMANCES OF NOTABLE MENTION
- 02.2012 – San Francisco, CA – Club Mist “Embers of the Lotus” at THE SYSTEM
- 10.2011 – New York, NY – Blood Manor (New York’s largest & longest running premier Haunted Attraction)
- 06.2011 – Las Vegas, NV – ”Journey to Enlightenment” 10th Anniversary Performance with cEvin Key of Skinny Puppy
- 07.2010 – Burbank, CA – Warner Brother’s Studios with Lucent Dossier
- 10.2009 – Las Vegas, NV – The Rio Hotel ”Rapture's Edge” Carnal Carnival hosted by Corey Haim
- 10.2009 – Miami, FL – South Florida Tattoo Expo ”Vision”
- 09.2008 – San Francisco, CA – DNA Lounge ”Power” Penthouse Fetish Gala
- 10.2007 – Los Angeles, CA – Hex Hollywood at the Ivar ”Dreams and Nightmares”
- 05.2006 – Donington Park, UK – Download Festival with Society One
- 08.2005 – Oklahoma City, OK – Rose State University ”Ascend”
- 09.2004 – Hollywood, CA – Knitting Factory ”Asia”
- 10.2002 – New Orleans, LA – House of Shock Haunted House ”Raising the Ultimate One”
- 09.2002 – Paris, France – L’Etrange Film Festival ”Ritual of Angels”
- 07.2001 – Houston, TX – Poissant Gallery ”Ritual of Angels”
Shown left to right: Knee suspension, with an on-stage cheek spear piercing, Kavadi, and musicians upstage.
Cost is determined by logistics including number of personnel required and the type of acts to be
performed. Shows include costumes, makeup, sets, and props, as determined by show budget.
Large Performance
1+ hour
Original, live music
4+ flesh hook suspensions and/or other acts*
10+ CoRE personnel
Medium Performance
30-60 minutes
Original, live music
1-3 flesh hook suspensions and/or other acts*
6-10 CoRE personnel
Small Performance
30 minutes or less
Original music may be pre-recorded
One flesh hook suspension and other acts*
3-6 CoRE personnel
Installation Performance
Show length TBD
Original music may be pre-recorded
1+ flesh hook suspensions and/or one or more other acts* as decoration or set pieces.
Can work in collaboration with bands, other artists, etc.
3+ CoRE personnel
What is Flesh Hook Suspension?
The human body can be manipulated in a variety of different poses through the use of various flesh
hook placements and rigging techniques. The desired positioning is limited only by ones imagination.
Below are a few examples of flesh hook suspension and their basic categorization.
Vertical Suspensions:
Suspended by 2 or more hooks orienting the body along a vertical plane. Examples would be from the
back or knees as shown below, or other variations can be from the chest or in a crucifixion pose.
Horizontal Suspensions:
Suspended by 6 or more hooks orienting the body along a horizontal plane. Examples would be from
the back or partially from the upper body as shown below, or other variations can be from along the
entire front of the body.
Lotus or Sitting Suspensions:
Suspended by 6 or more hooks in a Lotus (Yoga Style) pose as shown below,
or any variation of a sitting position
* Other Acts Can Include The Following:
Cheek Spear:
The cheek spear is traditionally seen at the
annual Phuket Vegetarian Festival in Thailand.
We use high implant grades of steel or titanium,
usually decorated with ornate tips.
Corseted Wings:
This was a costume custom designed by CoRE,
in which six hooks are pierced into the
performer's back and are then laced to metal
bars that curve over the shoulders from the front
of the corset. The arc of the metal combined with
the intricate lacing gives the appearance of
dramatic wings.
Collared Wings:
A variation of the Kavadi (see below), this original
costume design employs metal wings custom
fitted to the performer and secured via the front
of the collar. Descending the performer's back,
spears are affixed to needles, and are
sometimes adorned with such things as ribbons,
kevlar fire wicking, etc., or are left undecorated,
allowing for a variety of wing designs suitable
for diverse aesthetics.
Kavadi: . Translated as "to carry a burden",
kavadi originates in India and Malaysia as part
of Hindu spiritual practices and can be seen
annually at the Thaipusam festival in Malaysia.
Traditionally, kavadi consists of a frame worn
around the waist that carries either spears or
hooks (which are then attached to chains), both
of which penetrate the skin of the wearer.
We have designed many variations of this
regalia with varying degrees of intricacy.
Fire: Capable of adding a striking mood to any
set, a variety of fire performance implements,
such as staff, poi, fingers, fans, cheek spears,
wings, bowls, and even breathing can take a
performance to the next level.
Dance: Our choreography regularly employs
ballet, bellydance, butoh, interpretive, and/or
modern styles. Occasionally, our dancers even
wear Kavadi-influnced regalia.
Stilt Walking: Wearing poles, posts, or pillars
on their feet, performers tower above the
audience, adding fantasy and delight to the
show.
Energy Pull: This powerful act involves two or
more performers being pierced, usually from
hooks in their backs, and then being connected
to one another, creating a thrilling tug-of-war.
Regardless of the placement of the hooks, this
act builds an energy that audiences love.
Contortion: Able to bend and flex their bodies
to truly exceptional degrees, contortionists steal
breaths with this unusual form of physical
display.
Character Performer: Character performers
contribute to scene, narrative, and mood
without taking on any piercings through the skin.
Aerial: Adding both grace and drama to the
show, aerial acrobats perform in the air on
silks, chains, or ropes.
www.wearecore.com
[email protected]
510-409-1441
Shown: interpretive dancers, musicians, 2 hook chest suspension.