Project Narrative:

This work will take my work in choreographic self-portraiture in a new direction by tying a personal experience to a global issue, through tying my own story of relocation to the larger narrative of sustainability and water rights. Additionally, Western Door/Power Trail will be the first self-portrait to be created and performed collaboratively.

Western Door/Power Trail seeks to explore issues of sustainability and water rights in relationship to two distinct American communities in which I have spent most of my life: Niagara Falls, NY and Phoenix, AZ. I plan to investigate each city’s history of manipulating water sources; to look at the relationship of native cultures to water; and to examine the current economic realities of each metropolitan community .

The work is being planned as a significant performance piece with an estimated duration of 30 minutes. In addition, I am looking at possible venues that might allow for an additional short duration installation based aspect as well. The performance of the piece is being conceived as a duet between the collaborating media composer, Todd Ingalls, and myself. Instead of hiding the technology and source of the media, we are hoping to reveal the interactivity and foreground the live interplay of decision-making by both. Real-time generation of sound and video will be integral to the piece and provide an improvisatory dynamic.

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