NYC Dance Happenings- Move: The Company

Trap Doors, Who Knew?
By: Ashley L. Mathus

Premiering this week at The Joyce is Western Canada’s popular dance troupe, Move: The Company. Created by young Artistic Director Josh Beamish, Trap Door Party is said to blend “traditional influences of court dancing and classical ballet, with a contemporary approach, this piece is an abstract narrative look at six individuals, as they leave behind all they know to create a utopian society.” The dancers are like chess pieces coming to life as they maneuver inside strict boxes created by Move’s lighting designer. Metaphors for trap doors of conformity within a choking society, the dancers appear stuck; yet they’re keen on finding their way in and through what’s behind their door. Beamish, choosing to quickly flip the lighting schematics, delicately decides how, where, and why the dancers exist within the party of hidden entrapments. The audience, sometimes left in the dark, doesn’t see everything, but what we see is executed brilliantly with sharpness and perfection- bringing utopia one step closer.

Electronic classical music constantly taps the time throughout; a deep tick tock collaborates with Beamish’s vision rather than opposing it. Sudden light changes will ignite rapid floor thrashing; it’s as if we are seeing a board game from above being played out. The dancers are finding their way from start to finish, overturning obstacles with deep lunges, or making decisions by weaving through floor patterns of intricate jerks, yanks, and athletic stubbornness. Flexed feet push away from some unknown force, and heads whip in every direction without hesitation but reveal a tangible angst. Lingering in darkness, the dancer’s ghost like appearances and disappearances creates austere visual effects. Their darkened world is searching for ways to maintain the light, to preserve what is true.

Trap Door Party is premiering December 18th-20th at The Joyce, 175 8th Avenue- and hosting a post-performance discussion on December 19th and 20th at 3pm. Tickets are $22, and $15 for students and seniors. Please visit www.movethecompany.com to explore the company’s history, flux of ideas and inspirations.