Kathy Westwater
Dance
"Revelatory"
The New York Times
"An unconventional choreographer experiencing a surge of recognition"
"Westwater reminds us we are irrevocably connected to that original ooze and the blunt impulses contained in it."
IN THE NEWS:
NY Times Review here
NY Times Pick here
photo description:
Foregrounded and in profile,
the long hair of a dancer
whose eyes are closed is
suspended above her head.
Other dancers behind her are doing
individuated movement,
seemingly striking or
grasping the air.
photo Ian Douglas
Rambler, Worlds Worlds A Part
See the trailer.
premiered in 2019
at New York Live Arts
A co-presentation with
Lumberyard Center for Film & Performing Arts
Kathy Westwater extends a 20+ year exploration of pain and the body, including the pain of others. Here Westwater invites dance artists in the work to explore their personal experiences of pain and trauma. While contemplating if it is possible to fully communicate the experience of one’s own pain—and its opposite, bliss—or to fully know another’s, the cast of dancers responds to and celebrates the profound music of post-minimalist Black composer Julius Eastman.
Choreographed by Kathy Westwater
in collaboration with the performers
Directed by Kathy Westwater
Performed by Ilona Bito, Thomas F. DeFrantz, Alex Romania, Rakia Seaborn, Stacy Lynn Smith, Paul Singh, and Kathy Westwater
Music by Julius Eastman, performed by Joseph Kubera and Adam Tendler, with Patrick Gallagher and others; and M. Lamar, performed by M. Lamar
Set and Visual Design by Seung Jae Lee
Lighting Design by Roderick Murray
Costumes by fufu
Dramaturgy by Melanie George
Rambler, Worlds Worlds A Part was commissioned through the Lumberyard Center for Film and Performing Arts Solange MacArthur Award for New Choreography.
The development of Rambler, Worlds Worlds A Part was made possible, in part by the Maggie Allesee National Center for Choreography at Florida State University.
This work was developed in part during a creative residency at Petronio Residency Center, a program of the Stephen Petronio Company.
Rambler, Worlds Worlds A Part was made possible in part with public funds from Creative Engagement supported by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.
Rambler, Worlds Worlds A Part was supported by New Music USA.
Rehearsals took place at Gibney, in part under the auspices of The Joyce Theater Anchor Artist Program.
Yamaha grand pianos provided by Yamaha Artist Services, New York.
ALL PHOTOS BY IAN DOUGLAS
photo captions:
1
A Black woman stands stationary, her head, upper body, and limbs hang weighted to the side. She is wearing a black tank and shinny black leggings. There is a black background.
2
A jumping white man is suspended aloft, long hair flying. One leg is lifted bent in front of him and the other extended below. In the background a man plays a baby grand piano.
3
A Black man with long hair covering his face is seated, playing a Yamaha baby grand piano. He is singing into a microphone. He is wearing a black leather coat. There is theatrical stage equipment such as lights behind him.
4
A Black man with long dreadlocks is gesturing with a pointed index finger as his upper body sways to one side. He is wearing a royal blue velvet long-sleeved shirt and gold sweatpants.
5
A white, female dancer powerfully raises both arms and one leg high in the air. The heal of her supporting leg is lifted away from the floor, her weight fully on the ball of that foot. Her shirt is a shimmery rust color and pants are red. The background is multicolored, abstract forms.
6
A Brown male dancer is in the foreground of four dancers. One leg and one arm are raised and extended behind him. His eyes are very alert, gazing forward and down. A female dancer behind him is partially in view—her body in a similar form. Two dancers are on their hands and knees behind them.
7
An elderly, white male pianist is seated at a baby grand piano. Four other individuals are standing closely around him their hands contacting the keyboard, accompanying the pianist.
8
A Black woman is crouching, her knees turned out to the sides and her body tilted to the side. An arm is bent at the elbow gently and another is extended behind her. In the background a bearded white man with glasses is playing a piano.
9
Foregrounded and in profile, the long hair of a white female dancer is suspended above her head. Other dancers behind her are doing individuated movement, seemingly striking or grasping the air.
10
The cast of Rambler, Worlds Worlds A Part (2019), ten Black, Brown, and white artists—seven dancers and three musicians—are standing, relaxed and smiling, in a line, as in a curtain call, across the width of a stage. The background environment is black and the floor is white. Their clothing is non-uniform with multicolored, rich hues.
