Brockus’ SHIFT/west residency- Helps Women Choreographers Bloom after Pandemic

Rourou Ye in “Daydreaming” – Screenshot by LADC

On June 4th Deborah Brockus and SHIFT/west residency – Women Choreographers launched their online showcase running from June 4 through June 10th on Vimeo.  Twelve works were produced and mentored by Brockus with funding support from a grant by the California Arts Council empowering L.A.’s female choreographers at various stages of their creative journey by supporting their voices and vision.  It is a wonderful evening of fun, artistry and creative invention. Tickets are $15 per household, HERE.

The first piece, a product of the Brockus SHIFT/west residency for Women Choreographers began with a unique filmic morsel by Rourou Ye, called “Daydreaming.” At first the incongruous perspective of legs dangling from the ceiling of a cream colored room, with the character struggling, perhaps hanging, perhaps crawling down the wall to a door that seemed to be the only way out.  Even though there appeared to be a way to the outside world, the traps were many, with a ghostly alter ego challenging our main character both daring and chiding her and sometimes soothing the trapped disoriented Ye. Eventually, both Ego and Alter Ego, in a fascinating duet, opens the door and leads to steps to nowhere.  The ticking of a clock and almost nursery rhyme music by the talented, Sophia Shen, is playful and childlike.  It delights us with its dreamscape of light and tones.   Ye’s “Daydreaming” creates a series of surreal moments, and an imaginative rendering of what appears to be the deadly fires of 2020.  Then it ends with curious roguery by making a pithy point to end of the piece.  The filmmaking and movement is a fascinating and fun work which reflects the metaphor of the curious and unnerving months of the last year.  A remarkable and interesting work… more