Overall, I think it’s safe to say that everybody was blown away with the Dorrance Dance company. I mean come on, how could you not? They performed for an hour and not once did I fidget or look at my watch. But first, I want to give credit to Trisha Brown Dance Company. “You Can See Us” was a truly intricate piece that took me on a journey. At first, the red lights and starting pose of the dancers made me think that this was a dance about alien abduction. Crazy right? Well not even a half-second later I realized that this dance was set to replicate a mirror . The dancers stood on opposite sides of the stage, one faced the front, while the other faced the back. If one moved her right arm, the other would move her right arm at the same exact time. Both dancers stayed on their respective side of the stage and the omniscient music and sharp movements led me to believe that this piece dealt with the dark side of beauty, and how adolescents tend to rip themselves apart when they look in the mirror and only find value based off of the surface of their appearance. The piece really resonated with me because I am just starting to learn that there are more important things in life than they way you look, and I think this is something the whole class can relate to. I applaud Trisha Brown Dance Company for taking on such a theme and sending a message that with resonate with everyone.
Now onto Dorrance Dance, the number really amazed me for a variety of reasons. The choreography captured elements of tap (obviously), hip-hop, and even the storytelling seen in musical theatre. The first scene reminded me of my daily commute to school. Dancers walking around stage with purpose, pushing to get where they have to go. But in the crowd exist a man and woman trying to seek connection with each other while going against the crowd both figuratively and literally. This prompted me to think about how in life sometimes we need to stop and take everything in. On my commute I often just rush to get to school or the dorms, rarely do I stop and take a chance to look at my surroundings. Beyonce could literally be walking behind me and I would have no idea because I’m so set on my destination. From now on, I am going to take more time to just stop and breathe.
A particular dancer caught my attention also. He had a solo in the middle of the whole piece and he was able to physicalize sound in a way I have never seen before. A symbol on the drums would be hit and he would move a part of his upper-body that I didn’t even know existed. When he really felt connected to the music he would glide across the stage as if he was ice skating. It actually reminded me of how Michael Jackson use to throw his whole body into each movement and strive to add movement to sound. Not only was this individual an amazing dancer, but he had an incredible skill with the electric guitar as well. It just goes to show how rich with talent New York City is and that no artist is just a one trick pony.
Overall the whole dance performance was amazing but Dorrance Dance was especially noteworthy. The way the music blended with the tap of the dancers feet, and how the tap of the dancer’s feet complimented the vocals of a singer. On paper, something like this may sound too chaotic but watching it was completely creative genius. I have never felt so refreshed.
kiarapagan
October 8, 2017 — 5:08 pm
Although the Dorrance Dance was my favorite of the performers we saw, I really liked what you pointed out about the Trisha Brown piece. Your take on it was an interesting one; I hadn’t thought about it as a commentary on beauty ideals before but I can totally see it now. The way they mimed each other almost went to show how art imitates life but also how life imitates art. It was a really moving piece as well.