PeopleDance

Stadium:

Big Truck

PeopleDance: Stadium was performed in November, 2011 at Willamette University under my artistic direction.  Kitty’s Team and Earth are the work of guest artist Kitty Sailer.  Equilibrium is the work of student choreographer Sarah Larsen.  Discovery of No Boundaries is the choreography of EJ Reinagel and danced by guest artist Jessi Fouts.  Confidence, Notice, Big Truck, Love Competitions #1 and #2, In Bounds, and Huddle, are my own choreography. 

The space of the stadium is rich with interactive possibilities and cultural histories.  As a performer I am seen from all directions, and the energy of the crowd around me becomes part of my performance.  As an audience member I see other audience members, and I am seen, as we all watch the action below.  As a choreographer I find myself running around the rehearsal studio, imagining each interaction from infinite points of view.  I stand on chairs to see from above, preparing the events that will take place.

I am fascinated by the identification that people have with teams.  By rooting for a team observers become participants, often showing their dismay for the “others.”  Is it different to be a dance fan?  How do we cheer?  How are we participating?

As an artist I often find myself wanting to be successful, yet I resist the idea that I must compete to do so.  When I ran cross-country in high school I found that I ran slower in races than when running on my own.  When I run by myself in the park, I will often speed up just to pass a stranger—I discover that I want to.  Perhaps the person I am passing has nothing to do with my desire to run faster, but perhaps they do.  I don’t know if I’m competing or not.  Competition becomes even less clear when other relationships and emotions are involved:  Can I give more, love more, or be a better person than someone else?  Is it okay to ask such a question?  Why are there so many races run or cycled to raise money for beneficial causes?  What is success in the art of dance?