Having Words v.2 - (30 Minutes)

choreographed by:  Joel Smith and Liz Casebolt - casebolt and smith

Performed by: Company members from DanceWorks Chicago

Music: Nico Muhly

 

Commissioned by DanceWorks Chicago, November, 2013.

Premiered at Auditorium Theater's Katten-Landou Studio. Chicago IL, 2013

This Performance: Auditorium Theater's Katten-Landou Studio. Chicago IL, 2013

 

 “Having Words” is a talking dance performed in the square. Relying largely on simple unison vocabulary, we simultaneously ask for assistance and support from audience members to execute the choreography, all the while performing in time with each other. The primary focus for the first fifteen minutes of the dance is to demonstrate the skill required for a dual process: we are listening to each other while we speak and engage audience members; we keep in time with each other while instructing audience members to assist us separately; we give commands while receiving commands.  The importance of this work is reflected in the relationship we develop with our audience. Not only do they have access/insight into how the dance is constructed, they have access to us through voice and touch. Here again, our work is challenging conventions of performance and provides access points for diverse audience goers. “Having Words V.2 by has been performed at Logan Center for the Arts and Museum of Contemporary Art in Chicago and at the Staddtheatre in Aschattenberg, Germany.

 

Learn more about the work HERE on the DanceWorks Chicago Website

 

NOTE: We taught all six company members (three couples) the dance.  This video shows all three couples performing the dance, therefore it is 90 minutes long.  You are more than welcome to watch all three versions, but the first couple will suffice. The beginning of the video captures Julie Nakagawa, Artistic Director of DanceWorks Chicago, introducing the event, and casebolt and smith, who introduce the work.  The first duet begins thereafter at about the 3:15 minute mark. The volume will need to be turned up a bit for this video.

 

Password: lizandjoel