there is something to be learned from staying with material, staying with a dance, for a time
letting it marinate, trusting what we know, making space to explore both in rehearsal and on stage.
IMAGE . ACTION . TEXT landed at Highways under a pyramid of light that bathed the theatre and shone higher and broader than the walls of the theatre allowed
Thanks to Choreographer/Director/Conjurer Laurel Jenkins
Performers Barry Brannum, Samantha Mohr, Madison Page and Devika Wickremesinghe
Composer / Performer Miguel Frasconi
Costume Conjurer Maria Garcia
Lighting Magician Carol McDowell
Portrait Photographer Taso Papadakis
IMAGE . ACTION. TEXT notes / score
I move between human and spirit / SHAWOMAN worlds
the bottom of the sea. MIGUEL’s glass. under the water.
the waves that move the Skeleton Woman.
the shift of my knees, Dev and Laurel drift in
pulling Laurel, a hint, a summoning of the Shamans
we oversee the Skeleton Woman and Barry, the Fisherman
I fall, fly in, the ladies, my cape behind, fall with me
convening with the humans, touching, moving in their weather system
attempts at revival
breathing into the / this atmosphere
and shifting it.
taking the space, the materials, the particles and transmissions
making the weather
everyone moves on my wind
and I am bolstered, powered by their fragility
their youth
ECHOES
TRAILS
REVERBERATIONS
BOOM.
that’s right.
BOOM. ppffhhhhh ….
our bones fold and hit. our bones layer.
we are not ashamed we are alive.
bones tangle and make shapes, bones knock and gnarl. bones speak.
beautiful bones.
your bones.
bones inside skin that cast spells.
Barry.
ushering the Fisherman through the opening.
you want to die? Die. I am here.
you want to live? we will live together for a time.
leaving the scene
they breathe. these gorgeous mortals roll.
they breathe. Ring out with the water, with the glass.
the witches’ swift feet play grounded rhythms
a parade of witches twitching, charged.
stepping over the mortals, she gets caught. for a moment.
enter the 80s snowglobe. witches’ magic, illusion.
becoming, trading forms, watching.
their own distortions, contortions.
mmhmm.
cchh chi aaaah weighted. dropping money. singing back up.
cchccchhh mmmnmmm. a secret cha cha. delicious pelvis.
fingers. pelvis. Raaaaaaar! helmets.
horns. Hard hits and we all wear smiles. It’s a pleasure.
to fight and wrap and intersect
in the shadows we are three
we are one
she is one
we frame her
sensuous limbs, eyes.
we take the lights, the sticks
we shine them over the dressing ceremony, Devika presides.
– The Procession –
we enter – again, the witches – and approach, feet etching new marks along the path then quiet
full breaths in the back, seeing Barry’s available body, crown on fragile head, about to embrace – – –
