Post # 2:

Title: 6 DEGREES
Choreography: Louis Acquisto and Morgana Phlaum
Music: “Where Do I Begin” – Chemical Brothers
Dancers: Louis Acquisto and Morgana Phlaum


MY DESCRIPTION OF THE DANCE MOVEMENTS & THE PIECE AS A WHOLE:

I would describe the movements in this dance as having GENTLE but BOLD STRENGTH. There is also a sense of CONTROLLED LIGHTNESS. Both Louis and Morgana move with intriguing grace and eloquence. Lastly, in my opinion, the best and most prominent quality of their movement is the loving TENDERNESS of their movement, especially when interacting with each other.


GENERAL OBSERVATIONS:

The message of SIX DEGREES clearly has as its focus, a human relationship. The unique, innovative partnering includes very intertwined and coordinated movements. As the majority of Louis’s and Morgana’s movements are different, the moments when the two dance in unison, (such as when they both stand still, legs in second, arms down at the sides, and backs to the audience, while scanning the skyline with their heads & eyes) are very powerful moments of especial strength. These more rare moments when Morgana and Louis dance the exact same movements, are particular accents in the work which command particular attention. The piece ends in an unexpected, delightful explosiveness. I feel the energy start to really build as Morgana and Louis calmly walk away from each other towards the end of the piece. You don’t necessarily expect that the next movement will be explosive, as is so, when both dancers then RUN to each other, resulting in a powerful lift. For me, what makes this dance EXTREMELY engaging is that both dancers are clearly and completely INVESTED in both their own movements, their movements with each other, and in their relationship as dancers and more importantly, their relationship as human friends, which they are aiming to convey to the audience. Such SINCERITY of movement can only DRAW AN AUDIENCE INTO THE STORY at hand, which is absolutely the effect that this dance has on me.


MY INTERPRETATION OF MESSAGE:

LIFE is just SO MUCH, that when reflecting on it, we often think: “Where do I start? Where do I begin?” BUT, the WONDERFUL thing is: we’re NOT ALONE here – we have each other! SIX DEGREES is unlike a majority of man-with-woman duets because it is not necessarily about a romantic relationship. Rather, the relationship represented between Louis and Morgana, is one of FRIENDSHIP, one of BEING THERE for each other. It is quite beautiful, really.

MOTIVATING LYRICS:

“Sunday morning I'm waking up Can't even focus on a coffee cup Don't even know who's bed I'm in Where do I start Where do I begin”


SIX DEGREES video clip (filmed by Christine Harris)



FAVORITE MOMENTS:

0.39-.42
0.51 – “coffee cup”
1.25-.29
1.47-.49
1.55 – hand stand
3.19
3.35


COMMENTARIES OF CHOREOGRAPHER(S) & DANCERS:


1) What would you say your piece is ABOUT?

“The piece is about how when everything in life gets chaotic and you feel alone and think that everyone else has their lives together, you actually find out that everyone else is really feeling the same way you do. When we feel this way it is nice to know that we can rely on other people for support. Going through things in life by yourself is difficult and having someone right there with you through the whole thing is amazing.”
~ Morgana Phlaum
2) How would you define/describe the STYLE of dance represented in your piece?

“It is a mixture of modern and contemporary ballet. My choreography was more contemporary ballet and Louis' was more modern.”
~ Morgana Phlaum

3) Please comment on the TOTAL EXPERIENCE: (in choreographing, choosing dancers, auditioning toget in, setting the piece, polishing/revising the piece, and performing the piece).

“It was difficult to work together at first because our styles are so different. All of my training is in classical ballet and Louis is more of a jazz/modern/hip-hop dancer, so it was hard to find a happy median where the choreography was able to fit both of our styles. Once we got past that, it was much easier to work together. It brought us closer together not only as fellow choreographers, but as friends as well. It was amazing that our piece got in! We had worked so hard on it and we are very proud of our work.”
~Morgana Phlaum