STOMP: A performer’s perspective

To some, STOMP is performance-art genius. To others, it’s just plain weird. To cast member Stephen “Wacki” Serwacki, “the basic premise of the show is ... we’re trying to create an exploration of sound,” though he immediately admits he knows how corny that sounds.\nThe Boston native has been with STOMP for five years but said the novelty hasn’t worn off. Traveling the world with the group and making music with anything available has its rewards, he said. \n“I still get nervous every night; I still get excited every night,” he said. \nCreated in Brighton, England, in the summer of 1991, STOMP was the result of a 10-year collaboration between percussionist Luke Cresswell and musician Steve McNicholas. STOMP performances revolve around using everyday objects to create music, which is arguably what makes the performances unique.\n“Nothing is made for us,” Serwacki said. \nOver the years, STOMP performers have used anything and everything available – pipes, pots, pans, trash cans, broomsticks, their own bodies, basketballs, even apples – to create their own unique combination of sounds.\nSTOMP’s current tour, which lasts until late June, will take its performers to dozens of cities across the U.S. and Canada. Fortunately for Serwacki, he is able to visit family and friends on a fairly regular basis. This is not the case for cast members who live farther away from STOMP’s base in New York City.\n“A lot of people have to put their life on a shelf,” Serwacki said. \nOn the bright side, the cast travels all over the globe.\n“I’ve gotten to go to some amazing places,” Serwacki said. \nSerwacki thinks the distinctive atmosphere of the group’s shows is one of the main factors that have drawn audiences for almost 17 years.\n“Not everyone can understand music,” he said. “But everyone should be able to understand the emotion.” \n The combined spectacle of auditory and visual stimuli draws many audience members. Serwacki is quick to point out that, although many cast members have dance backgrounds, STOMP is not about that aspect.\n“I wouldn’t even really call it dance,” Serwacki said. “I can’t dance ... It’s a lot of movement.”\nMany people find the show confusing or absurd, he said. \nOne reason may be because “there’s no story or dialogue to it,” Serwacki said.\n“You got this weird little world,” he said, “Like a snow globe ... (and people look at it and ask) ‘what’s going on in there?’”\nFor fans like IU Auditorium events manager Maria Talbert, it’s one of those shows you can see over and over again.\n“I’m always excited when it comes through,” Talbert said. “It’s (a) pure escapist experience.”\nSTOMP will be at the IU Auditorium at 8 p.m. today and Wednesday.