#bodytraffic

@ Joyce Theater By Mari S. Gold This Reminds Me of You: Looking Back and AheadIn May Day, the eight dancers wear black tights, cropped white shirts, jackets with neckties and Buddy Holly’s signature black eyeglasses. Their midriffs are bare and sometimes they slap them rhythmically or slap another dancer’s belly. Centered around a shiny red airplane, Trey McIntyre’s choreography, moves plane…

Los Angeles contemporary dance company BODYTRAFFIC concluded its tenure as Company In Residence at the Wallis Annenberg Center For The Performing Arts on Sat., Oct. 16th 2021

SNAP by Micaela Taylor

Lillian Barbeito

BODYTRAFFIC’s Mathew and a House of Wheels participant in collaboration. Photo: Guzmán Rosado.

During this residency, what have you discovered about ability?

During the first few weeks of this residency I have discovered that dance knows no boundaries in regards to ability. I have had the opportunity to dance with people of all abilities and have discovered that dance and movement are as equally unique and diverse as the artist performing it.

Have you found language barriers while dancing in Israel?

Being in Israel and exchanging experiences with people that face adversity in their everyday lives has helped me come to the realization that the joy of dance is easily translated person-to-person through energy. I have found both language and cultural barriers that I thought would prove problematic, but the happiness and freedom that comes through movement has been palpable, magnetic, and contagious to me. The exchange thus far has been one of humanity and energy without words. I have found myself inspired and deeply impacted by the phenomenon that is the love of movement.

What has surprised you about this residency?

I was most surprised by how quickly I have been affected by working with people of various abilities. We are only two weeks into the residency, and I have been moved in profound ways. The experience of each workshop has been radically different, yet after each one I have been left with a stronger sense of moral duty and responsibility.

Do you think you’ve changed your approach to dance?

I know that my approach to dance has changed. I have been given a newly found humility and openness with how I approach my own work. I feel that this exchange has revealed another facet of dance and what it means to me as an artist.

What skills should American dancers be gathering in order to be “global dance citizens”?

Humility, obligation, respect, and generosity. 

Yuval and Melissa during a contact improvisation workshop between BODYTRAFFIC and Vertigo Dance Company’s Power of Balance Program.

Working with Yuval during BODYTRAFFIC’s first DanceMotion USA workshop was such a rewarding experience. His courage was immeasurable. There wasn’t any judgment or fear, just a willingness to learn and interact. He generously shared with me his story and how disability shapes his daily life. I was shown a boy who wasn't held down by anything in life. I guided him through a contact improvisation class while he guided me to break down all misconceptions and barriers surrounding ability. Thank you, Yuval. 

In Case You Missed It: BODYTRAFFIC had an unforgettable first week in Israel. The company improvised with Vertigo Dance Company’s Power of Balance Program, taught Countertechnique to young dance professionals, explored Jerusalem, and of course, ate really delicious food.

BODYTRAFFIC​ and Vertigo Dance Company להקת מחול ורטיגו​'s Power of Balance Program participate in a contact improvisation workshop:

BODYTRAFFIC explores Jersualem on their day off:

Guzmán and Tina of BODYTRAFFIC​ exploring Jerusalem:

Yum:

Sightseeing calls for some joyous dance lifts: 

Hi, Israel!:

Joseph of BODYTRAFFIC:

Some creative CAMmuting to the Dead Sea:

BODYTRAFFIC​ artistic directors Lillian and Tina lead a Countertechnique workshop for Vertigo Dance Company להקת מחול ורטיגו​'s training program:

It was a good week: