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One of the more interesting—one of the only, in fact—crossovers between dance and theater currently going on in D.C. is the work of Taffety Punk Theatre Company, which has been featuring dance in its productions since its earliest performances in 2006.
Last year, the group sponsored a weekend-long improvisation workshop led by a bunch of talented out-of-town dancers; this year, the company is jumping into the dance biz whole-hog with Dance Craze, a three-weekend festival of performances, with three shows scheduled for each weekend. What’s particularly notable is that many of the choreographers being presented aren’t your typical D.C. dance regulars, which means the festival is a bit of a wild card.
This weekend’s show features a piece by Taffety Punk company member Paulina Guererro, who envisions what might happen if Washington’s politicians all became artists for a day. George Washington University student Alexandra Pinel will also present a piece on life behind the Berlin Wall, and there’ll be music by Josh Taylor.
Next weekend is a little more eclectic. Improviser Adriana Durant will perform an utterly original, created-on-the-spot composition for each show, and intriguing newcomer Micheline Heal will show “Perchance to Dream,” which includes video images projected directly onto the dancers.
On its third weekend, May 20-21, Dance Craze will feature another piece by Heal, as well as “Among the Porcelain,” a composition by Taffety Punk co-founder Erin Mitchell, and a new work by veteran choreographer Scott Rink.
All shows take place at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop, at 545 7th St. SE, with performances on Friday nights at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 3 and 8 p.m. $10.
Photo by Teresa Castracane