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McCrimmon, Katerina

Jasmine Booker

DAA2103-0001

3 May 2018

Critical Analysis: Days of Dance

Days of Dance (Program B) at the Nancy Smith Fichter Dance Theatre showcased ten

pieces by Rachel S. Hunter, Amanda Ayo/Jessica Fernandez, Ebone Amos, Bridget Close, Nika

Sourakov, Ben Howard, Trent Mongtomery, Caroline Labreche, Savannah Lee Sickmon, Ashley

Pierre-Louis, and Melissa Cobblah. Glancing at the titles, I am intrigued specifically by “Again, I

was submerged,” which seems like it will have a feel of being underwater and “Mumo mli Ta

(Spiritual Warfare)” which is in a language I cannot understand and I would love to know what

culture influences the piece.

In the first piece- “F.I.N.E”, there is a lot of phrasing of movement being repeated at

different moments and intervals. It reminds me of our contemporary class when we created

different phrases and had to repeat them at different speeds and directions around the room. It is

interesting to see how something I thought was just an exercise in class to get us to think

kinesthetically can be used in a performance piece. “Open Boundaries” is another piece that

reminds me of aspects from our class. The piece features two dancers and they work off each

other like Jasmine encourages us to do in class. The piece has strong dynamics, too – it starts in a

blue light and the dancers are silhouettes onstage. They flow onstage and let the music influence

their every move; they are slow and careful and captivating. Then, like a light switch, they are lit

in fierce red lighting and you can see their faces. The two are on pointe shoes (!!!) and yet they

make it seem so easy as they perform a jazz piece on blocky stilts. The dancers are also the
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choreographers and that is satisfying because it shows how truly connected they are to the piece.

I appreciate that.

All the pieces in Days of Dance (Program B) are influential to me and have a message

that speaks to me. The first piece “F.I.N.E.” seems to have a very strong message, although it is

not incredibly clear. After more thought, I think it might be up to the audience’s interpretation.

My interpretation is that dancers often feel like machines asked to work constantly instead of

respected for the feelings, wants and desires they have as artists (Am I right, Jasmine?). Another

piece “Let the Church Say…” is a strong commentary on the church and black women within it.

Throughout the piece the dancers embrace their sexuality while one dancer in a white dress and

big hat condemns them, indicating to cover up and quiet down. There are dancers singing,

yelling and rejoicing. Towards the end, one of the dancers steps out and speaks words from a

book that resembles a bible straight toward the audience. It is a strong choice and makes me feel

like I am a part of the piece.

There are pieces that include outside elements that make them stand out. For example,

“Again, I was submerged” provides a feeling of being underwater. The dancers start at the

surface of the water and once submerged, switch costumes from white rag-like dresses to bright

red ones against red lighting. They also wet their hair before coming back onstage and this serves

as a key element in the dance. The dancers shake their heads and let the water fly everywhere or

wring out their hair and let the water drip to the floor. The piece to me feels like what it’s like to

be completely consumed by fear. It’s hard to emerge from the things that take over our minds

and bodies whole.

Another piece that has a shocking element is “FIT”. The piece is a short video and the

choreography itself does not come in till the very end and is not the focus of the video. Instead, it
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follows Maximo Oliveira as he wakes up and starts his day, coming up with choreo as he walks

around on campus and practices in a studio. I wish that there was more focus on the choreo itself

or that the video was a little longer, I feel unsatisfied once the video ends.

I respect all the pieces put up on the stage. If I had the opportunity to change some

aspects of any piece, I would perhaps make the first piece “F.I.N.E.” shorter. After watching the

piece, I feel violated, but I suppose that is the point of the piece. I love the vibrancy of the

costumes, so I wouldn’t change that. I don’t think we ever need to feed the audience, but if the

choreographer wants the message of the piece to be better understood, I’d suggest making it

clearer and diverging from carrying out the same action repeatedly. This piece is strong with

many dancers, but I wonder if it’d be stronger and more vulnerable with just one dancer. Jasmine

stood out in this piece (truly!) and it would be cool to see it done where just one dancer is being

broken down by “the man” in charge of the music.

Another piece that I think would be stronger with a few changes is “Open Boundaries”.

Although technically it is a very strong piece, I wish there was more of a story behind the piece.

It changed dynamics so quickly and although it was interesting, I wasn’t sure why it was

happening. The dancers are incredible, but I wasn’t sure why they were dancing - they seemed to

be going through the motions without reason. I did get a sense of sisterhood and a celebration of

fierceness and I would love to see that expanded upon.

Overall, I had a lovely time watching Days of Dance. These pieces never cease to amaze

me and I walk away feeling inspired to create work of my own that pushes past the boundaries of

any one medium of art; be it visual, musical, theatrical or dance. I cannot wait to see the next

show put on by the School of Dance and I am so glad I can look at these pieces from a different

perspective thanks to my contemporary dance training from this semester. To the art of creation!