Deeper, Still is an interdisciplinary movement-theater work that illuminates our inner mysteries using old folk songs, mythological metaphor, and legends of the ocean. Through movement and mystical narrative, it reveals an individual’s efforts to reconcile with the self—shadow, creature, and all.
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I'm Jordan Saenz, a movement artist and choreographer based in Los Angeles. I've been dancing and making work professionally for the past few years, and this will be the first time I make something of this scale by integrating all aspects of my art-making. This project began as an obsession with aquatic life, which turned into a love affair with oceanic mythology, mysticism, and tarot. While entrenched in this material, I wrote a series of poems—essentially a myth of my own—and wondered how they might translate to the theater.
So I've teamed up with musician/composer Heather Lockie to create a physical adaptation of these poems. We scavenged and compiled traditional folk songs about journeying and transformation. (Heather is somewhat of a life-time folk song collector, with binders full of old tunes about the sea, love, longing, and death.) The songs that called to us helped construct a map—segments that would tell the story in a collage of movement and imagery.
We've been asked to show excerpts of the piece in the coming months as it develops, which is exciting! However, the lifespan of this work requires funding in these early stages—more than is currently available. In order to pursue opportunities to show Deeper, Still in its entirety, preliminary showings need to represent the full scope of this work's potential. That means raising funds not only for professional-level lighting design, film documentation, rehearsal space and costuming, but also compensation for collaborators and performers.
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With sufficient funding, we'll be able to get this project off the ground.
$1,000 — Space — We will be able to pay for a rehearsal space that can accommodate our needs. We want the dancers to work in a bigger space with sprung floors!
$2,500 — Collaborators — All collaborators and performers deserve compensation for their time in the process. They're the ones who'll be bringing this to life after all!
$500 — Video — Professional video documentation will allow us to submit this work to festivals and seek more performance opportunities. It will also allow us to submit to an appropriate venue to show the work as an evening-length event.
$1,000 — Design — The right costuming, lighting, and set pieces make a world of difference.
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With your help, the work will have longevity. It will grant us the time and resources to continue this sacred process we've been sharing. It will also allow us to share the work through more avenues, via contributor perks.
Contributors will receive music downloads, poems, tarot card pulls, as well as inside footage and writings about the work and our process.
The work illustrates themes of the inner shadow, integration of the feminine and masculine, water, nature, aquatic life, emotional alchemy, transformation, and spiritual awakening. Themes I believe to be prominent at this time. Working on this project has been a truly healing and insightful experience, and we hope that resonates with you as well.
Thank you so much for your support!
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***First showing: March 29-30, 2019 at Highways Performance Space, Santa Monica, CA***
Artists:
Heather Lockie (musician/composer)
Ariana Daub (dancer)
Nicole Nistal (dancer)
Amir Rappaport (dancer)
Alyson Van (dancer)
Brian Saia (musician)
Clay Chaplin (musician)
Laura Steenberge (musician)
