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Dance Works: Stories of Creative Collaboration
Ride along with choreographer Allison Orr and her civic collaborators as they reflect on their dances together
In 2001, Allison Orr made a dance with 13 City of Austin firefighters. Over the next 20 years, her unique practice of collaborating with city employees flowered into civic storytelling through movement at public pools, tableaus of power line workers shimmying up 40' poles in front of 5000 people, and intricate choreography of trash trucks on a misty tarmac. Part memoir, part guide, the artist reflects on her major collaborations and shares interviews with people she's made dances with over the past two decades. Power line workers, sanitation workers, and firefighters reflect on their memories of performing with Forklift and the lasting impact those dances made. Alongside larger conversations in the arts, Orr offers a look at how to create community-based art projects, how the creative process can bring people together to address civic issues, and the beauty of choreographing the day to day. An appendix and online companion include budget information, full cast and crew lists, participant survey results, and more.
In 2001, Allison Orr made a dance with 13 City of Austin firefighters. Over the next 20 years, her unique practice of collaborating with city employees flowered into civic storytelling through movement at public pools, tableaus of power line workers shimmying up 40' poles in front of 5000 people, and intricate choreography of trash trucks on a misty tarmac. Part memoir, part guide, the artist reflects on her major collaborations and shares interviews with people she's made dances with over the past two decades. Power line workers, sanitation workers, and firefighters reflect on their memories of performing with Forklift and the lasting impact those dances made. Alongside larger conversations in the arts, Orr offers a look at how to create community-based art projects, how the creative process can bring people together to address civic issues, and the beauty of choreographing the day to day. An appendix and online companion include budget information, full cast and crew lists, participant survey results, and more.
192 pages, Paperback
Published April 4, 2023
5 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
July 26, 2023
"Dance Works" is a collection of personal tales about Austin, TX and the vast and diverse dance community within it, mainly Allison Orr's exceptional company, "Forklift Danceworks."
Art makes a city thrive and survive. And when the arts and artists are supported, that city becomes something exceptionally wonderful.
Orr has been building on the philosophy that everyone should have access to movement and feel welcomed as dancers no matter their "skill" level. That communities are stronger when they move together and witness one another moving in space and time. That workers from all walks of life deserve art to not only enrich their lives but strengthen their bond to the city that they dedicate so much of their lives to.
Read this if you are interested in artistic and public collaboration, connectivity, and creation.
Art makes a city thrive and survive. And when the arts and artists are supported, that city becomes something exceptionally wonderful.
Orr has been building on the philosophy that everyone should have access to movement and feel welcomed as dancers no matter their "skill" level. That communities are stronger when they move together and witness one another moving in space and time. That workers from all walks of life deserve art to not only enrich their lives but strengthen their bond to the city that they dedicate so much of their lives to.
Read this if you are interested in artistic and public collaboration, connectivity, and creation.
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April 14, 2024I have only seen two of Ms. Orr's productions, one about sanitation workers and the other about folks who work in watershed protection. They both moved me to tears.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews