Upcoming shows at HWS and UR to spotlight disabled artists
Kinetic Light, an organization which features disabled artists, will be coming to Geneva and Rochester in September as part of their Fall 2022 East Coast tour. Performing at Hobart and William Smith Colleges Saturday, Sept. 3, and the University of Rochester on Friday, Sept. 9, the group will perform a duet called "Under Momentum," which "celebrates the joys of continuous motion, the allure of speed and the beautiful futility of resisting gravity," according to the group's press release.
Founded in 2016 by Alice Sheppard who also serves as the group's artistic director, Kinetic Light, based on the West Coast, is centered on creating unique ways for the disabled community to participate and engage with the performances, according to a spokeswoman with the group. The production company works at several different intersections including dance, disability, design, identity and technology with a focus on engaging and working with Black or Indigenous artists.
Similarly, the group's aim is to promote disability as a "powerful, intersectional creative force," in addition to promoting better access to their shows and performances which is "integral to our art and creative process," according to the group's website.
The show Kinetic Light will be performing at both venues "Under Momentum," premiered in 2018 and will feature Sheppard and fellow dancer Laurel Lawson ― both in wheelchairs ― performing on several ramps designed by artist and design researcher Sara Hendren allowing for explorations of "momentum, torque and suspension", according to the release.
"Laurel Lawson and I are so pleased to visit Rochester and Geneva, regions with such deep disability history and community. We are grateful to the Hobart and William Smith Colleges and University of Rochester for presenting Kinetic Light and welcoming us to campus," said Sheppard, adding "it will be a rich and exciting experience."
Workshops will be offered
In addition to each performance the production company will also offer workshops in access, technology and disability culture and engage with students and the regional disability community a week before the show. Each program will also include accessible theater experiences through expanded accessible seating, accessible marketing, patron services, quiet space and more at both colleges. For more information on accommodations guests can contact Cynthia Williams at Hobart and William Smith Colleges at williams@hws.edu, and Missy Pfohl Smith at the University of Rochester at m.p.smith@rochester.edu.
If you want to go
The Hobart and William Smith show Sept. 3 is at 7:30 p.m. at the Deming Dance Theatre on 300 Pulteney St., Geneva, NY. Tickets will be $15 for the general public and free for students with ID. For more information, contact the college at Williams@hws.edu. The show at the University of Rochester Sept. 9 will start at 8 p.m. at the Sloan Performing Arts Center on 407 Alumni Road, with tickets available on the events website Eventbrite.
Both shows will feature haptic technology, ASL interpreters before, during and after the show, audio description through the Audimance app, accessible seating, tactile experiences, sensory kits, quiet space and exit and entry is welcome during performances.
This article originally appeared on MPNnow: Kinetic Light to present shows at University of Rochester, Hobart
