Mackenzie Clevenger and Mikaela Clark rehearse for their production: Without Words…moving against the sex trade.
This spring, two groups of local artists have developed performances addressing global issues with support from PlayhouseSquare’s Launch artist residency program. Launch provides local artists with rent-free use of space in the Idea Center at PlayhouseSquare, production subsidy and marketing support.
Working with a visual artist, two choreographers, three composers and a bevy of musicians, actors, dancers and puppeteers (ALL of them local), Robin VanLear created Marigold Wars, an artistic homage to the victims of the Rwandan genocide. The performance debuted during FusionFest at Cleveland Play House in mid-April.
Speaking of her Launch experience, Robin said, “Without programs like Launch, the artistic community will surely wither, and we are blessed with such an abundance of talent in this community. Launch has been amazing. It has been wonderful to be part of the community that makes up PlayhouseSquare, especially the security guards and the maintenance crew. They have all been so helpful and willing to go the extra yard. I know it may sound funny, but just to have people who know who you are and think what you are doing is special is huge.”
Mackenzie Clevenger and Mikaela Clark, two dancers from Inlet Dance Theater, are creating Without Words…moving against the sex trade to premiere at Cleveland Public Theatre’s DanceWorks in June. The evening-length production incorporates dance and theatre, photography and cinematography, visual art and original music to serve as a visible voice for the oppressed and to inform and inspire audiences to take action on behalf of the enslaved.
“Our hope is that our audience will walk away not only more informed about the global sex trade, but inspired to offer what they can to combat this injustice. We desire to leave the audience invigorated with a vision of the end of the sex trade, and with the realization that they are a part of that vision becoming reality,” said Clevenger and Clark.
About Launch, they proclaimed, “PlayhouseSquare’s Launch program has been a source of encouragement in the building of this new work simply by deeming it worthy of supporting. In addition to that backing, the encouragement of the people on staff, the generous use of space, and promotion of our work has been an invaluable piece in bringing Without Words into fruition.”
Tags: choreography, dance, Idea Center, local artists, PlayhouseSquare
