UMBRA,
2019
Choreography: Alyssandra Katherine Wu
Music: Hildur Guðnadóttir
Dancers: Kelsey Gerber & Marlene Garcia
Film: Clare Schweitzer
Photo: Clare Schweitzer
Performed: Gibney, NYC
Overview: In May 2019, choreographer Alyssandra Katherine Wu traveled to New York City to work with choreographer, Doug Varone (DOVA), through his choreographic mentorship program DEVICES. The program involved a week long intensive learning how to craft, design, and compose dance works using Varone's choreographic devices he has honed through out the years. 20 Suny Purchase dancers and the entire DOVA company were at the disposal of the 12 dance makers selected for the intensive this past year. Choreographers were challenged to use these movement artists to get out of their comfort zone and work with dancers in a way they may not have ever done before.
After the incredible week in May, Wu went back to San Francisco to create a new dance "Umbra" using the devices she learned during the intensive. Working with dancers Kelsey Gerber and Marlene Garcia, Wu created a duet referencing her own experiences with mental illness and how living in a constant state of fear can create all kinds of illusions or fantasies in one's mind. Wu played with shadows, lighting, and film (created by resident AKD Film Director Clare Schweitzer). The whole program culminated with a dance performance in August at the Gibney Dance Center.