We the People - first outdoor "all-terrain" showings

On April 2, 2011 we presented the first outdoor showings of We the People, a structured improvisation reflecting on political polarization. We are experimenting with different versions of this dance, both outdoors and in theater spaces, and keeping a record of the choreographic process in an online video journal.

Traveling across Center City Philadelphia on April 2, we performed in six different locations. Some areas were fairly out of the way while others were quite public. This was more of an open rehearsal rather than a formal performance, and we had many interested onlookers taking photos and joining in with our audience participation. It was exciting to see how each environment affected the dance and vice versa. All of the dancers did a fabulous job; thanks to Loren Groenendaal, Rebekah J. Kennedy, Darcy Lyons, Kumiko Nasu, Virginia Pedicord, katherine Kiefer Stark, and Barbara Tait for their daring and beautiful improvisations.

Scroll down to see some of what happened at each location on our journey -- or jump straight to one of our most popular spots, Location 3 or Location 4...

Location 1

One of our more difficult locations, between two streets on a busy corner. Featuring: tall, walled corner; busy narrow sidewalk; fairly heavy with car and bike traffic on both cross streets.

photos: Bill Hebert

photos 1, 2, 3: Bill Hebert; photos 4-8 from video stills

Location 3

One of our two favorite spots, Washington Square Park, a public square with great historical significance. We only used the center area this time but if we return there we'll probably stay longer and expand throughout the park. Features: wide open plaza, historical resonance, many onlookers and tourists, central concrete pool, no walls in center plaza.

photos: Bill Hebert

Location 4

Another favorite. We are right next to the Liberty Bell here. Big ups to Barbara, who bravely soldiered on despite losing a shoe in battle. Features: open plaza, historical resonance, many onlookers and tourists (some taking pictures of the dancers), brick columns.

photos: Bill Hebert

Location 5

This is a small park commemorating William Penn; it is away from the main tourist sites and doesn't get nearly as much traffic. It was interesting to do the piece here because of the inscriptions on the walls and the historical significance, but we did not stay here long. Features: wide plaza, some tourist/pedestrian traffic, many large historical writings on the walls and on the plaza itself, large wall space.

photos: Bill Hebert

Location 6

Our last location of the day, a beautiful little cobbled street next to a functioning 18th century tavern. We thought this would be fairly out of the way but we did draw a small collection of onlookers, some of whom snapped pictures. At this point the dancers were exhausted after dancing their hearts out in six different spots, so we called it a day. Features: tall walls, some tourist/pedestrian traffic, uneven/cobbled terrain, onlookers emerging from the tavern.

photos 1, 2, 3: Bill Hebert; photos 4-6 from video stills

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