Alternating colors and precise body movements create a journey through dance evolution unlike any other. Beginning as lifeless silver robots, bodies move in unison while displaying dully-colored costumes and neutral facial expressions. Slowly, mechanical conformity is replaced with spunky tunes and vibrant costumes to divulge unique style and personal desire for dance.
For choreographer Nathan Boozer and his company, dance is not only a performance, but a language. With ten highly motivated dancers and an empowering choreographer, Work Dance Company is ready to present “A Mechanical Dancer” as its very first solo performance.
This innovative composition incorporates props, masks, costumes and lighting – all transforming during the course of the show. The aesthetics of the constantly evolving stage contributes to the meaningful transformation of each dancer.
One act uses black and gray costumes to represent a dark subject, as “Poker Face” by musical artist Lady Gaga plays in the background. “‘Poker Face’ says that people are hiding behind a façade. It is a very dark subject and is actually really creepy,” Boozer said. The mood quickly transitions with an upbeat song by Missy Elliot called “Ching-A-Ling,” as bright neon color begins to inundate the once dark and dull stage.
Boozer described one of the last scenes, which uses a lot of color to create a don’t-care-what-anyone-thinks attitude. Morphing from duplicated robots into unique individual talents, each dancer exemplifies the journey of finding meaning and enthusiasm in dance.
“I have danced for 16 years and have always been a part of something unified,” Zenaide Beckham, one of the performers, said. “Now I can finally break out and show my style. I have the stage to express my individual talent.”
Anne Marie Cassani, also a performer, said that by the end of the show she transforms from a nameless robot into an energetic hip-hop dancer nicknamed A&M. “By the end we are all wearing flashy colors and we get to add our own personal style and really become individualized,” Cassani said. “Sometimes dancing gives the message to be your own person and do your own thing.”
In order to capture the essence and true meaning of this performance, Boozer and his dancers have been working tirelessly for nearly six months, three nights a week to perfect both the visual and technical aspects of the show. “Some people don’t put their heart and soul into it every time,” Boozer said. “Every time we step on that stage, whether the audience is five or 500, we put our entire being into it; it is our passion and what we live for.”
Boozer’s show was largely a reaction to the highly repetitive and political material that he has seen dance become. “I started to notice performing in general becoming really political with nothing really new or exciting,” Boozer said. “I saw dance becoming a part of the corporate world where we cut, copy and paste all the same dances. This performance is really all about being yourself and dancing because it is your everything and you want to do it.”
“We are a new group bringing something fresh to the table,” Cassani said. “We’re a small crew but we are all super passionate about what we are doing and we are going to do whatever it takes to put on the best show.”
Boozer also spoke very highly of his hand-picked dance crew; he said his dancers make his choreography worthwhile. “Being able to teach and help my dancers grow is why I do what I do,” Boozer said. “This show is a personal diary to what I am feeling. To take what I have learned and share that with my dancers is an amazing feeling; I can’t describe it.”
Beckham said “A Mechanical Dancer” has much to offer to its audience. “There is a lot you can take away from our show,” Beckham said. “We will remind you to be yourself, be your own person and have passion for whatever you want to do.”
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