Maggie Bergeron collaborated with several artists for her Momentum production of House/Home.
The miniature houses created by Russell Colliton featured a variety of shapes, sizes, materials, and architecture. The dancers deconstructed these homes in various ways as the viewer went on a trip down the rabbit hole into Alice’s Wonderland of leaving the nest and taking that giant step into the unknown! One home crumbled, another strategically dissembled, one tore like paper, and one stretched like taffy. These qualities are reminiscent of what we have all felt when leaving home for the first time- a flux of emotional material.
The dancers continued to explore new territory and then found themselves going back home to visit for the holidays- back in the thick of sibling rivalry. There was one young lady who was still the one stuck cleaning up the mess. Could this character be Maggie? Or are the five dancers all aspect of Ms. Bergeron? As a sibling of 4, I found myself identifying with the tangling of bodies, limbs, and minds like at a family reunion when we are all competing to be heard.
The music was composed by Chris Thomson, and we got to see him play the saxophone live on-stage with the dancers and their houses. Bergeron’s movement phrasing successfully complimented and contrasted Thomson’s rhythmic scores.
The costumes were created by Maggie’s dancer Sarah Baumert and they were architectured to compliment the houses. There were different fabrics, textures, and colors for each dancer. They had a natural, earthy feel within a structured sturdy shape that reminded me of a rustic farmhouse. There was weight. It was a nice contrast to the typical flowing chiffon we see at most dance concerts. Bravo!
Collaborating is no easy task, and I give Maggie Bergeron my highest compliments as she incorporated and blended so many voices to create a successful and enchanting piece.