posted by Arts Intern Matthew Vollono
The press release for STAU, the new piece by Dutch choreographer Anouk van Dijk currently running as part of White Bird’s Uncaged series, describes the piece as an “interactive dance performance.” When it comes to performance pieces, I find the word “interactive” a bit terrifying. Ever since being hypnotized on-stage in front of a group of corporate types in Houston (long story) the thought of being made to partake in anything remotely theatrical pains me physically. I prefer to sit down during these types of things, preferably far in the back where there isn’t a chance of a performer even making eye contact with me.
So imagine my terror when halfway through last night’s performance of STAU at Oaks Park Pavilion, chairs were taken away, bleachers folded up, and the fifty people in attendance made “part of the show.”
More after the jump:
At the opening of STAU, two dancers (Philipp Fricke and Birgit Gunzl) stand facing each other in the center of the seated audience, their bodies no more than a few inches apart. With only a fizzy, minimal beat to aid them, the dancers play off each other’s bodies, bringing themselves together (but never touching) before whipping themselves backward. The effect is deliberately absurd: the uncoordinated performers are made to look isolated while standing within inches of each other.
Little by little the dancers separate until they've reached the absolute edge of square section of floor. Once there they grow rambunctious, scurrying underneath seats and pushing themselves against people seated in the front row (the audience's reactions to the dancers invasiveness is bound to differ at each performance; last night most people seemed to take the dancers playfulness in stride—I can’t imagine this will be the case at all showings).
Once the chairs are taken away, the space opens up to include the entire pavilion. Performers streak from one end of the darkened space to the other, appearing at times under spotlights, bent against walls or the floor. At one point a man standing next to me had one of the performers latch onto him, forcing him to move her arms and legs with his own. Another time all four dancers surrounded a woman and her child, only to collapse into convulsions while the sound of gunfire erupted through the pavilion's speakers.
STAU is a three-hundred and sixty degree experience every bit as thrilling as it is invasive. For all the ways the performers adapt to the changing environment (audience members are moving through the space), the dancing is incredibly precise, without a single wasted movement. Boundary pushing performances like these are often attempted, but rarely pulled off as well as the one last night. I can't recommend it enough.
Get your tickets here for the four remaining performances; use code Mercury for a $10 discount.
all photos courtesy of White Bird
