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| ABOUT TRaC |
MultiTRaC Fall 2002
Come Play in an Underground World For an evening of mystery and discovering the human thread that holds us together, then Dance Theater Workshop's production of Splitstream can provide a captivating experience for you. It combines 3 separate choreographed pieces: "Hi my name is Cleo", "Late Night Future", and "Foible". You have been brought into their world, one that pushes the walls of realities and brings you into an underground world filled with rough, raw and tangled edges. From life- like dolls to a Paris feel, it will certainly entice you. The costumes are original and include polka dots, parachute pants, ties, and vibrant reds and pinks. Sound like a bad 80's offit? Not exactly! Although sometimes confusing, the show is seen as performance art and open to interpretation .It certainly includes a definitive form of struggle and acceptance. The music ranges from scratching and beeping noises to violin and piano concertos ending with an accordian. The dancers move like taffy and will have inspired you to take more than a yoga class. The first dance, "Hi my name is Cleo" commences with four girls who can't seem to get their human body parts to work. They can't figure it out like a robot that has not received the signal to function. One finger up, one finger down and it goes on. Eventually, they learn to stand and walk and feel a sense of connection with mechanical toy dogs, which add to the illusory of this atmosphere. The dogs are disabled like the girls in that they can only do one thing, walk and bark and they run on batteries, while the girls need to discover themselves. They contribute to their personal agony by putting themselves down and yelling slurs like " Lazy, Stupid, and Get up, Get Up!" They are the creatures of the dark and are aiming to learn how to gain a place in the celestial world. The second dance, "Late Night Future" begins with dim lighting and four bodies interwoven: Cheek to cheek, arm to arm. There appears to be a loving notion until a gritty separation occurs. Thrashing and disabling conquer all until there is guilt that persists to longing and ultimately they form together into an even stronger bond, then at the beginning. Like arguments surpass aggression and lead to peace, the dancers sense of competition and jealousy stabilizes the mood to transform to one of human unity and happiness. The third dance, "Foible" is the most free-spirited. It includes an air of romance and a free-floating attitude. It is very relaxed and seems more like a dream sequence. It is very sweet and balanced. The violin and piano evokes the dancers into a colorful kaleidoscope of movement. Between, the tables and the accordion player, you feel like you are in the Paris streets, sipping on an espresso, people watching and getting involved in the dancers lifestyles. Overall, these three choreographers, Amanda Loulaki, Maria Hassabi, and Gerald Cassel, have found ways to push the envelope of surrealism. They have discovered ways to enforce the uncomfortable in hopes to expand new horizons. The dancers movements, expressions and actions cause the audience to evaluate their levels and tolerance and wiliness to be drawn into this unseen world.
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