Social Circle

Posted on December 10, 2024 in by

Creative Team

Choreography: Wendy Rein & Ryan T. Smith, with the performers
Performance: Claire Fisher-Mendez, Wendy Rein, Juliann Witt, & Stacey Yuen
Sound Design: Ryan T. Smith, feat. samples from Josef Press and Arthur Murray Learn to Dance (1938)
Lighting Design: Del Medoff
Text: Read by Iris Fluellen (see the full list of text sources below)
Special thanks to Carly Johnson and Erin Yen for their early contributions to the work, and to Iris Fluellen for lending her voice.

Additional Information

Selections of spoken text were taken from: The Amateur’s Preceptor on Dancing & Etiquette (1854), Casani’s Self-Tutor of Ballroom Dancing (1927), The Gentleman and Lady’s Book of Politeness (1833), Guide to Dancing (1923), Social Etiquette of New York (1891), The Waltz (1812), Elias Howe, & Thomas Wilson

Premiere

ODC Theater, 2024

Duration

18 mins

Project Categories

Creation, Works

Social Circle is a relentless, movement-driven quartet that draws inspiration and physicality from the constantly evolving rules of Victorian-era ballroom etiquette that were meant to govern women’s bodies. Set to a soundscore imbued with historical recordings of ballroom instruction, the work features an all-female cast and rigorously patterned, technical movement. Moments of abandon punctuate the undercurrent of tension, as dancers explore the rhythmic conflict of a waltz against a traditional 4/4 beat.

For further information or to inquire about touring, please contact RAW@RAWDANCE.ORG