Cantilever Collective - Dwelling: The Structures that Hold Us

How can we serve as witnesses to each other’s experiences and stories to make meaningful sense of the ‘Self’ and the ‘Other’? In an increasingly polarized society, the act of empathetic listening serves to decrease the gap between us and them. Dwelling: The Structures that Hold Us is a choreographic and sonic exploration of this act of listening. Opening with a quartette of characters seated at a round dinner table, this first mundane meal scene quickly evolves into formative solos; some of which are based on personal memories, while others draw from ancestral anecdotes. As one dancer becomes the central storyteller, the others take on supportive roles. They act as accessories, as visible stagehands/dance-hands; becoming a place to sit, catching the lead as they fall, helping the narrator change out of a robe, and ultimately managing the mise en scene. The work is made in collaboration with composer, performer and sound artist, Justin Scheid, who serves as the sonic narrator.

CANTILEVER COLLECTIVE was formed out of a desire to use movement as a catalyst to build community. The group is made up of Los Angeles based dancers: Kya Bliss, Andrea Burr, Kaitwan Jackson, and Himerria Wortham, each bringing with them a diverse background spanning both commercial and concert dance. At its core, the group views movement as healing and a necessity to life. They eagerly embrace dance as a conduit to interdisciplinary play and collaboration. In addition to their stage and film credits, the group hosts monthly movement sessions open to artists of all disciplines. IG: @cantilevercollective