dreaming with the body

This contemporary dance theater project will explore the themes of sexuality, sacrifice, and violence depicted in fairy tales and lore from various cultures and traditions around the world to reveal through motion biases and assumptions embedded in mainstream culture.  

Fairy tales are stories that describe a society’s cultural morals. These morals become the lens through which society defines its boundaries and biases. The plight of women, particularly queer, BIPOC, and otherwise disenfranchised women, historically become cautionary tales in these stories. By exploring both classic and contemporary texts through movement, dreaming with the body seeks to convey more expansive, complex and nuanced depictions of character, conflict, and resolution that highlights and challenges accepted cultural biases.

Stories to be investigated include Hans Christian Anderson’s “The Little Mermaid”, “A Rose for Zemira” by Fred Crump Jr, and two selections from Carmen Maria Machado’s collection of short stories “Her Body and Other Parties” (“The Husband Stitch” and “Real Women Have Bodies”).

This project is made possible by the JMAC Worcester's Project Sponsorship grant program, administered in collaboration with the Worcester Cultural Coalition and funded by the Barr Foundation. The project will be presented as a full length production December 15-16, 2023 at the JMAC Worcester Brickbox Theater.

seeking dancers

I am seeking 4-5 modern-contemporary movers. ​This project seeks to build a bridge between the artistic communities of Boston and Worcester. Dancers from both regions are strongly encouraged to audition. It is my hope to hire dancers from both regions.

Dancers must be 21+ and have a minimum of two years of self-described professional dance experience. Dancers of any gender identity are welcome to apply, but should feel comfortable exploring femininity and womanhood and be open to taking on a femme identity for performance.

Dancers should feel comfortable with contemporary and modern dance technique, improvisation, collaborative creation, writing prompts, and some speaking on stage.

the audition process

The audition consists of an open-call online application and a by-invitation-only in person audition.

Dancers interested in this production should review, in great detail, this official call for dancers, which includes important information regarding creative content, expectations, scheduling, and financial transparency. After reading this document thoroughly, dancers who wish to pursue participation should fill out the online application available here.

Online Applications will close at end of day on April 30. Applicants will receive notice of status by May 10.

To view application questions prior to providing an email address, please see here.

Please email me with any questions regarding this project or anything else. I look forward to hearing from you!