"When the audience walked in, they immediately stumbled upon the entire cast stretching and preparing to perform. This was an obvious choice to allow the audience to have an inner glimpse of what goes on pre-show and let the audience acclimate to the show's atmosphere." - Gabe Lehman, Student
Pre-Show Audience Interactivity
"As soon as the house doors opened to the spectators of the show, a magical interaction between audience and dancer commenced. The audience members were given the opportunity to participate in and contribute to research related to how different people define value and self worth, this was done by having the dancers give "readings" to several members in the audience. The activitiy provided the Dance Ensemble with concrete data that is to be analyzed later on in the academic year and it also banished the traditional "dancer dances while audience watches" routine. This interaction between audience member and dancer contributes to a rare moment of give and take, where both entitites of the performance experience sense artistiic and inspirational cohesion. " - Jermaine Webb-Stewart, student
"Before the show started, the dancers moved through the audience playing a card game with attendess. The game led to a series of questions that the audience would respond to, and these responses are to inspire future dances. Essentially, the audience, at least partially, defined future movement for the ensemble before the piece even began" - Clara Kirkpatrick
"This interaction destroyed the superficial barrier that I often see between the stage and crowd during a performance. As an audience member, I felt much closer and involved during the actual performance simply because the barrier I usuually sense was broken before the play even began." - Pat Maher