The process of generating material for “Up with the Lark” is deeply inspired by Virginia Woolf’s 1927 novel, To the Lighthouse. Woolf’s novel serves as a literary dramaturgical touchstone, anchoring my exploration of how our orientations to objects shape our lives and perspectives. I meticulously inventoried every object mentioned in the novel in the order of their appearance—teacups, paintbrushes, sources of light—distilling the essence of Woolf’s world into a tangible score. This process felt like deciphering the novel’s code through its repetitions and rhythms. I introduced this inventory during my first rehearsal, guiding the dancers in creating physical responses to each object. These responses ranged from literal interpretations to more abstract expressions. Throughout the dance, the material undergoes several transformations, mirroring the way memories shift and reform, and eventually leading to physical contact.
Ultimately, “Up with the Lark” asks: “How might we embody the force and spirit of Woolf’s novel without directly citing or resembling it?”
Performers: Ian Spak, Sophia Arnall, Brit Claiborne, Celine Barreau and Tess Lane
Sound: Jazer Giles
Lighting: Daniel Rist
Costumes: Barbie Diewald and Emily Justice Dunn
MFA Thesis Advisors: Candice Salyers, Rodger Blum, Jim Coleman
