"A potpourri of delight and introspection!"- The City Pulse
This project is a collection of past and present works from dancers that are considered "works in progress," or perhaps from a time they considered themselves in progress. Below you can find words from the artists and creators themselves, as well as links to their videos and company sites.
Donations from Work In Progress to Black Lives Matter.
Donate here (and thank you from our hearts!)
Black Lives Matter:Philadelphia Chapter
Donate here (and thank you from our hearts!)
Black Lives Matter:Philadelphia Chapter
About the project- A statement from Poético founder Catherine Westerduin:
COVID-19 issued the cancellation of many shows, platforms, and festivals, and the (in some cases, permanent) closure of many creative hubs and centers. It also left so many of us wondering how we can continue to bring our spirits into dance, when many of us are isolated, and facing hardship. What does dance look like in a purely virtual format, and who are we when we occupy the "virtual stage?" I certainly felt like an automaton on some days.
In so many ways, WE [the people of earth, the dancers, the neighbors, the parents, the beloveds, the colleagues] are "in progress." Amidst the ongoing strangeness and devastation of COVID-19, and our rapidly evolving social climate, we are exploring new spaces within ourselves, and when we find the motivation to create, our work is different than it was.
The pieces in WORK IN PROGRESS reflect these waves, within us, within places we used to go and can never return, and within the world. We hope you find it weird, fun, cool, distracting, nostalgic, hopeful.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in this project, and special thanks to member Sarah Owens for helping create this :)
- Catherine, founder
In so many ways, WE [the people of earth, the dancers, the neighbors, the parents, the beloveds, the colleagues] are "in progress." Amidst the ongoing strangeness and devastation of COVID-19, and our rapidly evolving social climate, we are exploring new spaces within ourselves, and when we find the motivation to create, our work is different than it was.
The pieces in WORK IN PROGRESS reflect these waves, within us, within places we used to go and can never return, and within the world. We hope you find it weird, fun, cool, distracting, nostalgic, hopeful.
Thank you to everyone who played a part in this project, and special thanks to member Sarah Owens for helping create this :)
- Catherine, founder
View full video HERE or select from the artists below
Anne-Marie Mulgrew and Dancers Company
"A Study for Five in One" (a part of Beautiful Chaos)
The fully realized video remains in process as does the full-evening production Beautiful Chaos as does the nature of the creative process. The proposed video was initially conceived as a Dance for Camera Project with Carmella Vassor-Johnson (video artist) and me (long time collaborators). It was scheduled to premiere at Philadelphia Dance Project’s “Dance Up Close,” March 18-19, 2020 taking place at Fringe Arts. The performances were cancelled due to COVID, leaving time to create the fully produced video. With no deadline- Carmella’s focus moved to the immediate crisis. During our shooting of the video, I shot Carmella shooting the dancers as part of my process to compare what Carmella was seeing as the videographer and what I could capture as choreographer on my cell phone to later compare what one sees. Beautiful Chaos is the name of a full-evening work – “in process;” due to COVID 19. The video was tentatively titled A Study for Five in One.
Facebook page
Website
"A Study for Five in One" (a part of Beautiful Chaos)
The fully realized video remains in process as does the full-evening production Beautiful Chaos as does the nature of the creative process. The proposed video was initially conceived as a Dance for Camera Project with Carmella Vassor-Johnson (video artist) and me (long time collaborators). It was scheduled to premiere at Philadelphia Dance Project’s “Dance Up Close,” March 18-19, 2020 taking place at Fringe Arts. The performances were cancelled due to COVID, leaving time to create the fully produced video. With no deadline- Carmella’s focus moved to the immediate crisis. During our shooting of the video, I shot Carmella shooting the dancers as part of my process to compare what Carmella was seeing as the videographer and what I could capture as choreographer on my cell phone to later compare what one sees. Beautiful Chaos is the name of a full-evening work – “in process;” due to COVID 19. The video was tentatively titled A Study for Five in One.
Facebook page
Website
Choreography: Anne- Marie Mulgrew with dancers' input
Video: Anne-Marie Mulgrew Videography: Carmella Vassor-Johnson Music: Epic Suspense Trailer Music Dancers: Sean Thomas Boyt, Winfield Maben,Leslie Ann Pike, Tamaki Serizawa, Olivia Wood Costumes: Anne-Marie Mulgrew Filmed Chi Movement Studio February 13, 2020 |
ARTIST HOUSE/Asya Zlatina + Dancers
"Carry On!"
*Winner of Poético Virtual Showcase prize*
CARRY ON is a dance collaboration created specifically during and for the time of COVID-19. It is a response to the anxiety of uncertainty, isolation, the major economic drain and immediate shut down of arts opportunities worldwide. Different than dance on film, it was formatted to fit boxes on your screen. It is an anthem to the world to CARRY ON, encouragement and a boost in times of trouble. Once we come out of COVID, I would love to develop this even more, and present it live! And also definitely gather the dancers to do this live virtually if given the chance!
Instagram/Tik Tok @asyazdance
Facebook page
Website
"Carry On!"
*Winner of Poético Virtual Showcase prize*
CARRY ON is a dance collaboration created specifically during and for the time of COVID-19. It is a response to the anxiety of uncertainty, isolation, the major economic drain and immediate shut down of arts opportunities worldwide. Different than dance on film, it was formatted to fit boxes on your screen. It is an anthem to the world to CARRY ON, encouragement and a boost in times of trouble. Once we come out of COVID, I would love to develop this even more, and present it live! And also definitely gather the dancers to do this live virtually if given the chance!
Instagram/Tik Tok @asyazdance
Facebook page
Website
Performed by members of ARTIST HOUSE/Asya Zlatina + dancers
Music: Beethoven's 7th Symphony (allegro con brio) |
Bridget Carlin and Catherine Westerduin
"Echoes"
Formed out of a desire to connect through dance during a time of mandated disconnection, "Echoes" is an improvisation inspired by small and confined movements. The dance space itself is significant as it amplifies or softens the movements. Both Bridget and Catherine are Directors of Poético Dance Collective.
"Echoes"
Formed out of a desire to connect through dance during a time of mandated disconnection, "Echoes" is an improvisation inspired by small and confined movements. The dance space itself is significant as it amplifies or softens the movements. Both Bridget and Catherine are Directors of Poético Dance Collective.
Performed by Bridget Carlin and Catherine Westerduin
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Music: "Fix You" Coldplay
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Music: "Pretty Wings" Maxwell
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Catherine Westerduin
"Preparing to Shower: A Quarantine Striptease"
Noticing the abundant layers that would accumulate during the early, chillier, days of quarantine, showering was becoming an increasingly tedious activity for Catherine. All the good vibes and clean socks for this family-friendly(ish) burlesque!
Website
"Preparing to Shower: A Quarantine Striptease"
Noticing the abundant layers that would accumulate during the early, chillier, days of quarantine, showering was becoming an increasingly tedious activity for Catherine. All the good vibes and clean socks for this family-friendly(ish) burlesque!
Website
Music: "Zorba the Greek" Mikis Theodorakis
Performed by Catherine Westerduin |
En Axis
"Asteroid"
This dance has the theme of space and is representing the movement of asteroids (minor planets) in space and how their energy connects in the universe.
Facebook page
"Asteroid"
This dance has the theme of space and is representing the movement of asteroids (minor planets) in space and how their energy connects in the universe.
Facebook page
Music: "Star Shootin'" Little People
Dancers: Danielle Desimone, Meli'sa Grier, Hannah Misangyi, Angela Pan, Sarah Ruesch, Chelsea Wyllie Choreography: Chelsea Wyllie, with lots of help from the dancers |
Enya Kalia Creations
"Water Warriors (original)"
Artistic Director: Enya-kalia Jordan, MFA [she/her(s)]
Website
"Water Warriors (original)"
Artistic Director: Enya-kalia Jordan, MFA [she/her(s)]
Website
Evelyn Langley and Amalia Colón-Nava
"Bark Beetles"
A work in progress developed by Evelyn Langley and Amalia Colón-Nava. Initial creation intended to be presented in April at the MAAS building as part of Evelyn Langley's month long artist residency. It is not a final draft, but we feel excited to share it with an audience at this stage.
Bark Beetles have been a controversial issue among forest conservationists and environmental scientists. They have been detrimental to trees and forest ecosystems in recent years. They run a fine line between being an essential part of forest life and essentially wiping out entire species of trees. Climate change has created favorable conditions for these beetles to thrive.
"Though they’re often described as pesky invaders, bark beetles have been a key part of conifer ecosystems for ages, ensuring that groves don’t get overcrowded. When a female mountain pine beetle locates a frail tree, she emits a chemical signal to her friends, who swarm to her by the hundreds. Together they chew through the bark until they reach the phloem, a cushy resinous layer between the outer bark and the sapwood that carries sugars through the tree. There, they lay their eggs in tunnels, and eventually a new generation of beetles hatches, grows up, and flies away. But before they do, the mature beetles also spread a special fungus in the center of the trunk. And that’s where things get really interesting." -Maddie Oatman "Bark Beetles Are Decimating Our Forest. That Might Be A Good Thing." (MotherJones.com)
"Bark Beetles"
A work in progress developed by Evelyn Langley and Amalia Colón-Nava. Initial creation intended to be presented in April at the MAAS building as part of Evelyn Langley's month long artist residency. It is not a final draft, but we feel excited to share it with an audience at this stage.
Bark Beetles have been a controversial issue among forest conservationists and environmental scientists. They have been detrimental to trees and forest ecosystems in recent years. They run a fine line between being an essential part of forest life and essentially wiping out entire species of trees. Climate change has created favorable conditions for these beetles to thrive.
"Though they’re often described as pesky invaders, bark beetles have been a key part of conifer ecosystems for ages, ensuring that groves don’t get overcrowded. When a female mountain pine beetle locates a frail tree, she emits a chemical signal to her friends, who swarm to her by the hundreds. Together they chew through the bark until they reach the phloem, a cushy resinous layer between the outer bark and the sapwood that carries sugars through the tree. There, they lay their eggs in tunnels, and eventually a new generation of beetles hatches, grows up, and flies away. But before they do, the mature beetles also spread a special fungus in the center of the trunk. And that’s where things get really interesting." -Maddie Oatman "Bark Beetles Are Decimating Our Forest. That Might Be A Good Thing." (MotherJones.com)
Developed by Evelyn Langley and Amalia Colón-Nava.
Edit by Amalia Colón-Nava. |
Grounded Aerial
"Urgency and Resign"
Accompanying poem by Karen A. Fuhrman, Artistic Director and Owner:
Hold On
I feel and hear my wet breath plug my nose as I move covered in mask.
Grasping at flesh with urgency and resign.
Don’t we all yearn for it to be ok?
God. We ‘re dying. Right now.
Hold on Lovers
We need to hold on.
The wind is everywhere, and doors lock, because it’s getting darker, and that’s what we should do.
should do.
that's what.
that's all what we should do?
By Karen A. Fuhrman
Website
"Urgency and Resign"
Accompanying poem by Karen A. Fuhrman, Artistic Director and Owner:
Hold On
I feel and hear my wet breath plug my nose as I move covered in mask.
Grasping at flesh with urgency and resign.
Don’t we all yearn for it to be ok?
God. We ‘re dying. Right now.
Hold on Lovers
We need to hold on.
The wind is everywhere, and doors lock, because it’s getting darker, and that’s what we should do.
should do.
that's what.
that's all what we should do?
By Karen A. Fuhrman
Website
Jess Melck
"Shake it Out"
"I created a dance to Shake it Out this past Fall about the time in my life when I was learning how to cope with anxiety, and you could say during that time in my life I was a work in progress."
"Shake it Out"
"I created a dance to Shake it Out this past Fall about the time in my life when I was learning how to cope with anxiety, and you could say during that time in my life I was a work in progress."
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Music: "Shake It Out" Florence and the Machine
Choreo: Jess Melck Dancers are from the Millersville University dance group "Expressions" |
"Over Soon"
"I was sitting around in wonder late at night, as you do, and I was going through old choreography videos of mine and as I was listening to the words of this piece I choreographed to, I couldn’t help but feel like it fit the theme. I don’t know if I’ll come across the space or time to do a nicer recording of it, but I’m really proud of the choreography in the video."
"I was sitting around in wonder late at night, as you do, and I was going through old choreography videos of mine and as I was listening to the words of this piece I choreographed to, I couldn’t help but feel like it fit the theme. I don’t know if I’ll come across the space or time to do a nicer recording of it, but I’m really proud of the choreography in the video."
Music: "Over Soon" Bon Iver
Choreo and Performed by Jess Melck |
Lily Oglesby
"Tunnel Groove"
"Here is my work-in-progress as begun the last week of March and the second week of the Corona quarantine. The working title is "Tunnel Groove." Having recently asked my college dance students to get creative with creating solo dance pieces in various spaces and places during this time of Corona, I created this piece."
"Tunnel Groove"
"Here is my work-in-progress as begun the last week of March and the second week of the Corona quarantine. The working title is "Tunnel Groove." Having recently asked my college dance students to get creative with creating solo dance pieces in various spaces and places during this time of Corona, I created this piece."
Performed by Lily Oglesby
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Megan Flynn
"Forget, forget, forgotten"
A quarantine short dance film by Megan Flynn. The solo was created in collaboration with Paul Fejko, who spontaneously composed the music live during a Zoom rehearsal.
Megan's website
Paul's website
"Forget, forget, forgotten"
A quarantine short dance film by Megan Flynn. The solo was created in collaboration with Paul Fejko, who spontaneously composed the music live during a Zoom rehearsal.
Megan's website
Paul's website
Created and performed by Megan Flynn, in collaboration with Paul Fejko
Original Music by Paul Fejko |
Mia La Sala
"All Alone" & "Don't Be That Way"
Created and performed by Mia la Sala
"All Alone" & "Don't Be That Way"
Created and performed by Mia la Sala
Music: "Idontwannabeyouanymore" by Billie Eilish;
Music: "Lovely" by Billie Eilish & Khalid
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Olivia Jenna Brown
"Fairmount 2019"
In Summer 2019, I came across "The Wedges" (1970) by Robert Morris in Fairmount Park. Inspired by how the sculpture interacts with its surrounding environment, I used it as the basis for a durational, site-specific improvisational dance film. I filmed in early October, late November, and early March 2020. Little did I know that shortly after filming for the last time in the sculpture, a pandemic would sweep the globe, forever altering our relationship with public art and public space. I edited this film during quarantine, from March to June 2020.
"Fairmount 2019"
In Summer 2019, I came across "The Wedges" (1970) by Robert Morris in Fairmount Park. Inspired by how the sculpture interacts with its surrounding environment, I used it as the basis for a durational, site-specific improvisational dance film. I filmed in early October, late November, and early March 2020. Little did I know that shortly after filming for the last time in the sculpture, a pandemic would sweep the globe, forever altering our relationship with public art and public space. I edited this film during quarantine, from March to June 2020.
Created by Olivia Jenna Brown
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Poético Dance Collective
"Lost in Space"
"Lost in Space"
Performed by members of Poético Dance Collective
Music: "Lost in Space" Emmit Fenn Edited by Oliva Brown |
"Poético vs. Zoom: The Quarantine Days"
Performed by members of Poético Dance Collective
Music: Benja Newman Edited by Nicky & Catherine Westerduin and Benja Newman |
Rachel DeForrest Repinz "Gemini 1", "Gemini 2", & "Gemini 3"
*Winner of Poético Virtual Showcase prize*
“Gemini: Duets with Myself” is an on-going dance film project that I have been working on throughout the COVID-19 restrictions in NYC. This project is a series of short improvisational dance films shot on location at NYC landmarks such as Washington Square Park, NYU Campus in the East Village, and more. This project will continue for an indefinite period of time until all COVID-19 related restrictions are lifted in NYC.
*Winner of Poético Virtual Showcase prize*
“Gemini: Duets with Myself” is an on-going dance film project that I have been working on throughout the COVID-19 restrictions in NYC. This project is a series of short improvisational dance films shot on location at NYC landmarks such as Washington Square Park, NYU Campus in the East Village, and more. This project will continue for an indefinite period of time until all COVID-19 related restrictions are lifted in NYC.
Music: "Binz" Solange
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Music: Nicolas Jaar
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Music: "All the Time" Bahamas
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Sean Thomas Boyt "Sundance"
Website
Website
Dancer: Sean Thomas Boyt
Music: Minako Hamano, Kozue Ishikawa |
Questions? Comments? We'd love to hear them! Please email us at [email protected], or contact us here!