Life as a Modern Dancer

Category: Dance in Review

  • Tension Remains after Nevertheless

    Tension Remains after Nevertheless By Sarah JG Chenoweth ka-nei-see | collective and Cat Call Choir produced an adaptation of their 2018 success, Nevertheless, at Z Space last weekend. The show—expanded from its premiere to include new sections, additional performers, and a visual art exhibition in the lobby—was condemning but not cathartic. Certainly the aftermath of sexual…

  • Writing on Dance: A Response to Katie Faulkner’s Divining (ODC Theater, February 15, 2019)

    The Oxford English Dictionary defines divining as an intuitive, sage-like form of discovery or a power for seeing the future. It often refers to the practices that people rely on to navigate the unknown. In her notes, choreographer Katie Faulkner references these definitions, suggesting that within them “the body becomes a conduit for felt or…

  • Reflections on Kristin Damrow’s “Impact”

    Shareen DeRyan, center, with ensemble in Kristin Damrow's Impact. Photo by Robbie Sweeny. Reflections on Kristin Damrow’s “Impact” By Molly Rose-Williams I was aware of my size the minute I entered the space. Three enormous cement blocks hung over a vast stage, surrounded on three sides by rows of seats. In the cavernous Yerba Buena…

  • Review/response: We came, We saw, They conquered

    We came, We saw, They conquered By Todd Courage The world premiere of Social Movement, a new collaborative work crafted by Molly Rose-Williams & Co., unfolded at Shawl-Anderson Dance Center in Berkeley on November 17th. The evening was a strange triptych of sorts: three distinct parts, only two of which were directed by Rose-Williams, claimed…

  • A Reflection on “Small Boobs” by Nora Sharp

    Nora Sharp. Photo by Naomi Ishisaka, courtesy of On the Boards. A Reflection on “Small Boobs” by Nora Sharp By Molly Rose-Williams It’s dark in the theater. The image of a warmly lit donut shop swims through my mind. The glow, the smell, the sweet, yeasty air as I step inside from the cold alley.…

  • Reflections on Twisted Oak Dance Theater’s “Constants & Variables: Second Homes”

    Photo: Robbie Sweeny A New Way To Make Home of A Home For So Many Reflections on Twisted Oak Dance Theater’s “Constants & Variables: Second Homes” By Molly Rose-Williams   I don’t know if this happens to you too – I’ve found that site-specific shows tend to begin as soon as I arrive. As I…

  • Reflections on “Onsite”

    Is there a fleeting window of time when dancers are at their optimum? Or is dance a lifetime practice wherein, animated by intent, it exists for all living bodies? I would lean toward the latter. In spite of my mindset though, dance, and its validity or relevant contribution, is largely looked upon as an art…

  • Reflections from “Nevertheless”

    By Molly Rose-Williams I gauge the wild success of Nevertheless, the newest work by ka·nei·see | collective in collaboration with Cat Call Choir, by the fact that every person I talk to about it has something to say. These are not one-line conversations. These are trails of reflection, streams of deeply-felt, often stunningly-coherent impressions that…

  • Repost: No One Can Teach You How to Write About Dance, by Eva Yaa Asantewaa

    From Blog Director Jill Randall: This week, Eva Yaa Asantewaa wrote and posted this magical piece of wisdom and integrity about writing about dance on her site. I asked Eva if she might allow me to repost it on my blog as well, since one of my big projects this year is boosting dance writing…

  • A Reflection on Stranger Lover Dreamer’s “3, 4, 5, 6, 1”

    7 – 3, 4, 5, 6, 1 – 9 A Reflection on Stranger Lover Dreamer’s “3, 4, 5, 6, 1” By Molly Rose-Williams Last Saturday I went to see “3, 4, 5, 6, 1," the newest work by dance collective Stranger Lover Dreamer (aka SLD aka Andrew Merrell, Elizebeth Randall Rains, and Shaunna Vella). In…