Housatonic — As darkness fell over the hamlet of Housatonic on Wednesday evening, a conversation was unfolding beneath a series of gently arched windows on the top floor of the Rubin Mill building. The participants—eight young female choreographers—are part of the Young Choreographers Initiative, a program of Berkshire Pulse. The group, immersed in preparing for a works-in-progress performance of their choreography, filled the dance studio with palpable passion. Despite the uncanny quiet save for bare feet squeaking on the rubber floor, the message in their movement was loud and clear; lending to the impact is that it stems from issues that matter most to these students including sexual assault, consent and explorations of gender. As the powerful albeit silent discussion unfolded through a series of purposeful gestures and fluid movements, one thing became resoundingly clear: Communication sans words is wholly possible.
“These students all have things they urgently need to express,” said Susan Quinn, YCI program director. “They need a way to voice them and be heard.” This fall, Quinn worked with students to explore the connection between movement and social activism; in combining the two, young people are given a voice and a forum to express their viewpoints through the art of movement. Together, the young dancers chose sexual assault as the issue on which they wanted to focus. “The students researched the topic and shared their findings,” Quinn explained. “This naturally led to discussion and journaling about what consent is, how survivors are often blamed or not believed, and brainstorming how to prevent sexual assault. The movement invention and structure of the piece was generated from the discussions, their feelings and their writing.” Evidence of these important discussions, visible in a series of posters taped to the painted brick walls of the studio, reveal the depth of what young people are thinking about today. Topics such as “Intersectionality” and “All About Consent” kept company with colossal questions ranging from “What does it mean to be a woman?” and “What keeps us up at night?” And from these discussions, a series of variations unfolded.
“When you feel resistant to something, where does that live in your body?” was the question from Bettina Montano, artistic director at Berkshire Pulse, from her vantage point in the corner. From across the studio, sporting flushed cheeks and bated breath, a young woman immediately responded by crossing her forearms over her core, simultaneously evoking both her heart and her gut. “It’s got to initiate there,” Montano explained. “Let it begin with a feeling, not a gesture,” she continued. “Commit to that feeling, and the rest of it will come naturally.” Which, as the dancers take the variation from the top, it does—powerfully and with indelible impact.
For these choreographers, the dance studio has become a veritable incubation space. It is the opportunity to explore what matters most, regardless of where they are in physical space, that gives rise to crucial conversations. This is some of what they are striving to convey: “People that have been sexually assaulted, there are people that could help you,” began Ruby Nejaime. “Coming out in your own way will help; we want it to be a safe place,” she added. Paige Lussier contributed, “I think, for people who are not sure [about what it means to experience sexual assault], just to have them see the pain—[and understand] how no one would really lie about that.”
“And that it’s OK to be angry!” added Tess Ackiewicz, “That’s part of the healing process.” Isabella Kemp’s take on the subject followed suit: “Knowing there’s support there—and that there are people who believe you and believe in you.” And then another voice chimed in: “It’s not going to be a flowery path to recovery, but letting someone know [is important].” Quinn shared her perspective, as well: “We want it to be safe for people coming out, but it’s not safe for everyone,” she reminded us. “Regardless of repercussions, it still doesn’t go well for everyone.” At the end of the day, this is the stark reality of shedding light on issues that are often shrouded in darkness and shame. To witness these young women, trusting their instincts in life and in the dance studio, is as hopeful a message as ever.
Four days before their performance, the young women remain in discussion, making deliberate decisions along the way. In a scant 30 minutes, I watched in rapt attention as the group fine-tuned their work. As the fluid movements unfolded, the group grappled with another big question: how to comfort without touch? The resounding reply: carefully make contact. “Let’s see what that exchange would look like,” invited Quinn as another variation unfolded. What ensued ws the exhibition of trust with one another through not only participation, but also vulnerability.
Berkshire Pulse—the dance and performing arts education center based in downtown Housatonic—offers year-round programming that provides children, teens and adults with the opportunity to engage in the joy of movement and music while learning the rewards of commitment, community involvement and the vast benefits of artistic expression. “At Berkshire Pulse, a primary focus is to help young people find ways to express themselves through movement,” said Montano. “Whether exploring joy, frustration or fear, our goal is to provide a safe place for creativity and expression within the learning experience.”
The YCI is an empowering project for high-school age dancers that builds confidence, inspires collaboration, encourages creativity and allows free expression. The YCI launched in summer 2016 with workshops led by teaching artists Susan Quinn and Ian Spencer Bell, and it has since expanded into a year-round program at Pulse. The YCI is supported in part by a grant from the YouthReach program of the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
Through the lens of choreography, a conversation unfolds, one that begs the question: How much can we communicate through our bodies without words? The YCI participants have their own answer, one that the public is invited to experience Sunday, Dec. 9, at 3 p.m. at Saint James Place in Great Barrington. In the moment, Montano shared a parting thought: “It happens, it sort of unfolds, if you just let it.”
