Stormo di Storni

Choreographed by Sarah Coady and in collaboration with dancers

This work explores the magic of both participating in and being witness to shared experiences by borrowing both individual actions and group movement patterns from a variety of feathered friends. What impact does movement have when acting alone? When acting communally? How does witnessing the movement of animals in nature soothe us? 

In the construction of this piece, all dancers were active participants in answering these questions through movement. The dancers embody murmurations of starlings, plastic drinking birds, roadrunners, and ostriches. Meanwhile, the audience became active participants by “birdwatching” through individual viewfinders. The viewfinders allowed for infinite unique viewing experiences, as audience members made decisions about how and when to frame the dancers through their viewfinder. Communal participation in the construction and performance of the piece are both essential to creating that feeling of ritualized movement.

Production & Artistic Team

Dancers: Amanda Attiya, Annika Dodrill, Chynna Golding, Emily Green, Rachel Lawal, Raeanna “Rae” Grey, Rebecca Scruggs, Sarah Moore, Simone Nasry

Lighting Design: Rebecca Scruggs

Dramaturgy: Chynna Golding

Costumes: Sarah Coady

Photo Credit: David Dowling / @isitmodern

Video Credit: Craig Lawrence / @fightguyphoto