Case Western Reserve University’s Department of Dance announces the 2024 production of Voyages. An evening of exciting new and revisited works, Voyages features Gary Galbraith’s new technology-infused Quest, Richard Oaxaca’s Rooted, as well as the return of Into the Wind by department chair Karen Potter and last year’s audience favorite Cave of the Heart by Martha Graham.
Voyages will be performed on November 1, 2, 6-9 at 7 pm and November 3rd at 2:30 pm at Mather Dance Center, 11040 Bellflower Road, on the Case Western Reserve campus in University Circle.
Into the Wind
Karen Potter’s Into the Wind brings a unique blend of contemporary dance and aerial acrobatics to the stage. Set to the atmospheric music of Elena-Kats Chernin, this duet transports the audience into a world where the boundaries between earth and sky blur. Dancers Richard Oaxaca and Helium Valentine navigate a landscape of sweeping aerial silks, using fluid motions to echo the natural grace of wind. As they ascend into the silks, the audience is captivated by breathtaking, gravity-defying choreography, creating a visually stunning and emotionally charged experience.
Rooted
Rooted, a new work by Richard Oaxaca, draws inspiration from the Tree of Life, a powerful symbol across cultures and religions. Set to music by composers Giya Kancheli and Philip Glass, the piece features 13 dancers embodying the forces of life, connection, and the cyclical nature of existence. Oaxaca’s choreography, paired with costumes designed by Oaxaca and Karen Potter, creates a visual and emotional journey that celebrates the interconnectedness of all living things. The dancers’ movements flow like roots and branches, reminding us of the deep bonds that link life and death.
Cave of the Heart
Martha Graham’s iconic ballet Cave of the Heart returns to Case Western Reserve University in a landmark performance, marking the first time the work will be performed outside the Martha Graham Dance Company. Choreographed by the legendary Martha Graham in 1946, and set to the powerful music of Samuel Barber, Cave of the Heart explores the destructive force of jealousy through the myth of Medea. With a striking set by the renowned artist Isamu Noguchi, this performance brings together Graham’s visionary storytelling and expressive movement in an unforgettable exploration of human emotion.
Quest
Gary Galbraith’s Quest is a cutting-edge fusion of dance, mythology, and technology. This groundbreaking work, set to a commissioned score by award-winning composer Gabriel Jon Griswold, combines contemporary choreography with Microsoft’s HoloLens mixed reality, 3-D LiDAR tracking, and surround sound. Inspired by ancient Mayan mythology, Quest tells the story of twin warriors battling the dark lords of the underworld, with live holograms interacting with the dancers to create a mesmerizing experience. Galbraith’s innovative vision redefines the boundaries of performance, immersing the audience in a world where technology and myth merge seamlessly.
Ticket Information
Tickets are $15 for CWRU students with ID, $20 for seniors age 60+, CWRU personnel and non-CWRU students, and $25 for general admission. Reservations open October 1st, and may be made by calling (216) 368-5246 or online at https://case.edu/artsci/dance/news-and-events/ticket-reservations.