Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York, NY.
July 8, 2023.
Woman in Motion (WIM), an all-female project-based dance company based in NYC, held its second season entitled Find Your Way, at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in early July 2023. Founded in 2022, by Rachel Thalman and Laura Kaufman, the group’s aim is to provide a collaborative space for dancers of all genres to come together and perform as their individual selves, bolstered by a supportive environment. On the heels of a successful first season, the company held two performances this season instead of only one, both to nearly sold-out houses.
WIM packages its shows in an approachable, family-friendly way: an early start, very short intermission and short pieces by different choreographers. In a world where single works can be 30 minutes at times with long intermissions, this was a refreshing change. It felt nice to walk outside after the show to a twilit painted sky.
The show had 10 pieces, choreographed by 10 women: Claire van Bever, Katie Drablos, Laura Kaufman, Lisa Harvey, Sara Brians, Tiffany Mangulabnan, Danielle Diniz, Jenifer Dillow, Courtney Cochran and Ai Toyoshima. The styles ranged from ballet to contemporary to musical theater and everything in between. The audience saw a solo, duets, trios, quartets and larger group numbers. Regardless of style, each dancer in each piece was the pure definition of in it/living/committed/performing without restraint. In the lovely small theater, no detail was too small to see and these performers make sure we saw, and more importantly, believed them all.
A standout quality of this company is how the directors choose to value individuality over conformity. It’s a driving tenant of the company and one they both spoke to directly during the performance. Their aim is to provide a healing space for dancers by honoring each other’s differences. The effort results in honest dancing, and what certainly seems like a bond of sisterhood between all involved. This performance was fun, touching, technically strong and a joy to watch.
By Emily Sarkissian of Dance Informa.
Share this:
