An archetypal, tragicomic effigy for "a day in the life," this thing is real imbues surreal and fantastical imagery with the mundane, the forgotten, and the ignored. The grotesque is coaxed to the surface through dark humor and absurdism, revealing beauty and poeticism in the darkest, rawest human moments.

 

The work assembles a conglomeration of physically expressive forms, drawing from contemporary dance, theatre, improvisation, clowning, puppetry, and magic show tropes to create an interdiscplinarily devised, immersive experience. The original score is triggered and mixed live by Drew Sensue-Weinstein and played/improvised live by percussionist Chris Gravely and saxophonist Helene Jean Kelman.

 

this thing is real was developed over six months in residency at the Schwartz Center for Performing Arts at Emory University in Atlanta, GA.

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Created with and performed by:
Walter Apps, Jimmy Joyner, Henry Koskoff, Darvensky Louis, Cailan Orn, and Kendall Ramirez

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Original Score:
Sound Design: Drew Sensue-Weinstein
Percussion: Chris Gravely
Saxophone: Helene Kelman

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Lighting Supervisor: Greg Catellier
Costumes: Annalee Traylor, Cyndi Church, and Jimmy Joyner
Creative Consultants: Ephraim Williams and Jimmy Joyner

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Rehearsal Assistant: Madison Lee
Stage Manager: Thales Lathrop
Assistant Stage Manager: Carly Wynans

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Photography: Shannel Resto (color) and Justin Blaine Miller (B/W)

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Premiere: April 2024, Schwartz Center for Performing Arts, Atlanta, GA

Presented by Emory Dance
Made possible by the Emory Arts Fellowship in Dance
 

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