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Cullberg — Works by Deborah Hay
featuring music by Graham Reynolds

more information  Know Before You Go

Deborah Hay is an internationally renowned choreographer whose unique approach to movement forever changed how the world makes and views dance. Hay is recognized as a pivotal figure in the development of post-modern dance and her work as a founding member of the iconic 1960s Judson Dance Theatre in New York, one of the most radical and influential post-modern art movements is legendary. 

Based in Austin since 1976, Hay recently established her archive at the Harry Ransom Center, a major destination for the study of dance, theatre, and film at UT Austin. She continues to create new work and evolve her practice at 80 years old. When pandemic-induced closures made the debut of her latest work with renowned Swedish contemporary dance company Cullberg impossible, Hay shifted gears. A series of solos were captured on video from the stage of Texas Performing Arts’ McCullough Theatre to allow the artistic dialog to continue. The resulting work, Horse, the solos, is a meditation on the climate crisis and modern survival, with new music by Austin-based composer Graham Reynolds. “Horse, the solos is choreographed in a manner that relies on an intuitive understanding of risk, efficiency, and survival. There is control in efficiency but not risk-taking. Combined they establish the conditions for [the work],” says Hay.  For its U.S. premiere, Graham Reynolds will perform the music live for the first time.  The program will open with a rare solo performance by Deborah Hay. A performance of Hay’s 2004 masterpiece The Match will kick off a day of performance, discussion, and film screenings. This iconic work contains meditation-like exercises that invisibly bind the dancers to the material by establishing a mental, emotional, and bodily rigor visible in the performance. Time Out, New York proclaimed “The Match is a fascinating, vibrant battle of wits that unfolds through a silent score of movement.”

View event program.

FULL SCHEDULE OF ACTIVITIES

1:00 p.m. 
Pre-performance conversation: Deborah Hay with Kirk Lynn (Associate Professor, Playwriting And Directing - UT Austin Theatre & Dance)

2:00 p.m.
The Match (55 minute run time)

3:00 p.m. 
Post-performance discussion with Deborah Hay and Cullberg company members moderated by Leah Cox (Associate Professor, Dance - UT Austin Theatre & Dance)

6:45 p.m. 
Film screening - Dear Dancer (2022) by Marcus Lindeen (25 minute run time)

7:30 p.m.
my choreographed body…revisited
and
Horse, the solos (U.S. premiere)
featuring live music by Graham Reynolds

9:00 p.m.
Post-performance discussion moderated by Leah Cox (Associate Professor, Dance - UT Austin Theatre & Dance)

Performances of Ms. Hay’s solos, which have the potential to turn a dancer inside-out — a wondrous thing — are best experienced live.

New York Times


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