Mike Gunther Posted February 28, 2006 Share Posted February 28, 2006 Local dancer/choreographers Laura Schandelmeier and Stephen Clapp presented their "Dragons Project" last night at DC's Dance Place, to a very enthusiastic audience. They showed excerpts in DC and NY earlier this year. The piece is about courage, and how people can work together to overcome their fear of themselves, each other, and the unknown. Two dancers, wearing black leotards and chain tunics, interact closely with each other on a starkly minimalist set: a red table that one can hide behind and underneath, a smaller box that mirrors the psyche, a long bungee cord that delimits space, ties up, and connects the couple; an offsides console piano, played blindfolded by SC to a blindfolded movement sequence by LS; subtly effective lighting in shades of yellow/white by Catherine Eliot. Dialogue is included, a text by Christopher Graybill. Choreography is naturalistic, based on the normal actions of the human body. If this description sounds more like a 60's "performance piece" than dance, trust me, it all comes together beautifully. Most unusual, to me, was its combination of formal structure and pure, almost childlike, feeling. An intimate piece, both intelligent and moving! --Mike Link to comment
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