Dance Nation
The Theatre School 2021
Images
Photo Descriptions:
Slide 1: Poster art. A rendition of Henry Matisse's "Dance I" where red female bodies hold arms. The background is blue with tiny white dots. "Dance Nation" is in white at the center.
Slide 2: Show photo. Five female actors stand in multi-print leggings and pink workout tops striking poses with their hands near their faces. All are masked and standing on a wood floor with a mirror in the background.
Slide 3: Three assistant directors stand with their arms around each other in front of a green curtain.
Slide 4: Show photo. 3 female actors stand in the background in workout clothing. Two male actors stand in the foreground looking away from the others. There is a boombox on a cart between them.
As an Assistant Director, I had the opportunity to witness the growth of a production beginning with casting and table reads online to tech rehearsal and live productions. This was one of the most challenging productions I have ever worked on.
I learned how to apply the personal relationship we experience in live theatre and transfer that connection through a live camera. I found a new relationship to body and space. Being conscious of visibility, tone, and intention strongly influenced my contribution to this show.
Working with actors and reflecting on the overwhelming sensations of childhood dreams was a powerful reminder of the intense lens through which young girls view the world.
I loved working on this production. Dancing as a form of non-verbal communication is innately human. My takeaway from this show, is that young girls are unstoppable and growing up is complicated.
Process
Play Description
The competitive spirit drives a pre-teen dance team on their climb to the national competition in Tampa Bay. The emotional intensity of adolescence is in the spotlight as these young women navigate their developing bodies, friendship, and ambition in Clare Barron's "Dance Nation," a 2019 Pulitzer Prize finalist
Rehearsal Choreography Video
Credits
Dance Nation by Clare Barron
Directed by Stephanie LeBolt
The cast features Sarah Dennis (Maeve), Tyra Grove (Zuzu), Abigail Hendricks (Amina), Athena Nickole (Sofia), Russell Norris (Dance Teacher Pat), Sierra Phan (Connie), Destin Lorde Teamer (Luke), Tori Thompson (Ashlee), and Courtney Tucker (Vanessa/The Moms).
The production team includes assistant directors Sierra Reynolds and Genna Swanson, dramaturgy by Liv Garcia, vocal coaching by Michelle Lopez-Rios, intimacy/movement coaching by Kristina Fluty, scenic design by Kat Hasanov, costume design by Izzy Lichenstein, lighting design by Chris Binder, sound design by Anna Arenas, props by Camille Peotter, production management by Morgan Ramoth, and stage management by Kate Petralia
​
Photos by Michael Brosilow