During a Friday night rehearsal, I found myself assisting Bellingham Repertory Dance’s (BRD) Emma “M” Harvey in lifting a table named Bert.
Bert, Harvey’s actual dining table, served as a platform for the dancers in the compelling press photos for “Missed Connections,” which runs Nov. 11–19 at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center. Harvey explained Bert is simply too large to store somewhere out of the way; he must be deconstructed and then reconstructed so that he can support and anchor the relationship between Harvey and Shannon Zahalka in their duet “Manners.”
Assembling props is just one of the many responsibilities of a BRD dancer. Performing members teach classes — which are open to community dancers — and assist with administration, fundraising and communication. Bellingham Repertory Dance is run as a collective, and its performing members have a high degree of ownership over the operational and artistic facets of the organization.
This particular program, serendipitously centered around the theme of human connections that are, as stated in the press release, “made, delayed, yearned for, or let go,” fulfills the company’s mission to bring vibrant contemporary dance to the Bellingham community. Importantly, it connects audiences and dancers with the work of choreographers who have worked in and/or are based in larger dance communities. Six of the seven pieces appearing in the show were selected, by the dancers, from a pool of more than 50 choreographic submissions, and feature the work of choreographers hailing from places such as Columbus, Ohio; Austin, Texas; and Vancouver, British Columbia.
I had the opportunity to sit in on a rehearsal run of “Tricity” by Robert Kitsos; “Manners” by Joshua Manculich; and a new work choreographed by BRD member Cecelia Hanford.
Set on the dancers over the course of just three days — with a bonus rehearsal with choreographer Robert Kitsos at Simon Fraser University’s School for the Contemporary Arts in Vancouver, British Columbia — “Tricity” showcases the technical abilities of performers Camille Dale, Soleil Chappelle and Cecelia Hanford. Moments of contact and separation are charged with possibility, and the choreography is marked by precision, quirkiness and athleticism. A hand catches a hand, and more surprising points of connection are found in an oscillating duet between Dale and Hanford while Chappelle’s float adds contrast.
“Missed Connections” exposes Bellingham audiences to the work of dance artists both near and far and is not to be missed by those intrigued by the complex nature of human connection. (Photo courtesy of Bonnie Smerdon)
“Manners,” by Joshua Manculich, is accompanied by Virginia Rodrigues’ hauntingly beautiful solo a cappella track “Veronica.” Harvey and Zahalka paint the space over and around Bert with dynamically layered movement rife with gesture. The piece portrays a long-term relationship between two people in which assumptions are sometimes made about what the other person is thinking. Manculich, the recipient of a 2015 Princess Grace Choreography Fellowship, received his MFA from the Ohio State University and became connected to the group with the help of former BRD dancer and Ohio State alum Charlotte Stickles.
“Bringing real life and art together — that’s what this has felt like,” dancer Gabby Malagreca said in reference to Hanford’s creative process.
To generate material for her piece, Hanford gave Malagreca and fellow dancers Paige Pimmel, Chappelle and Tatyana Stahler written instructions they then interpreted in their own way. The resulting phrase material sends dancers tumbling, staggering, darting, suspending and falling. When the dancers do connect, the relationships are enigmatic and changeable.
Other pieces on the program include Anna Bauer’s “Breakfast”; Shannon Mockli’s “What Once Was Held”; Morgan Walker’s “Inside Outsider”; and Morgan Sandlin’s “Spare Me,” which the press release describes as “a striking and joyful romp through the bowling alleys of our collective childhoods.” Mockli, whose piece was previously performed by BRD in 2018, taught a master class that was open to the community as part of the 2022 7-Day Dance Festival hosted by the collective in September.
“Missed Connections” exposes Bellingham audiences to the work of dance artists both near and far, and is not to be missed by those intrigued by the complex nature of human connection.
“Missed Connections” will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 11–12 and Nov. 17–19; and 4:30 p.m. Nov. 12 and Nov. 19 at the FireHouse Arts and Events Center, 1314 Harris Ave. Tickets are $15–$38. Students are invited to attend a Nov. 10 final dress for a discounted price. Valid student ID required. Note: Masking will be required at the 4:30 p.m. showtimes. Info: bhamrep.org.
