“This show involves dance, props, video projections and poetry. Each layer adds more texture and I think it makes the show feel more inclusive for audience members.”
Responder: Hannah Myers, Director/choreographer/producer
Name of Company: Hannah Myers + Artists
Name of Show: A Quiet Reflection Vol. 2
- Why should people see your show?
Performances are of course an expression of the artist(s), yet the audience is important too. When I choreograph, I like to include additional elements because it makes the performance more approachable and interesting. This show involves dance, props, video projections and poetry. Each layer adds more texture and I think it makes the show feel more inclusive for audience members.
- What about festivals intrigues you? Any why the Atlanta Fringe?
When I experienced my first Fringe Festival in Edinburgh, Scotland I was absolutely delighted to see the explosion of creative energy. Everywhere I looked people were performing, without any hesitation, in the most Avant Garde style. Fringe Festivals generate a non-judgmental, organic, open space for artists where we burst through the seams of the conventional world, whether we are invited or not. We are, ‘the fringe!’ It’s easy to get caught up in a certain headspace where you feel your work is not good enough or you compare yourself to others, and these feelings limit your creative potential. Questions can help develop and shape your work and opinions can expand your thought processes, but the intention of performance art is meant for uninhibited self-expression and pure entertainment.
- What inspired you to create this?
My own experiences with mental health and a never-ending list of people, places, sounds and thoughts.
- This year ain’t normal and there’s no sense pretending it is. How has Covid affected what you’re doing for this festival?
I think we are all tired from the past 2 years. We all must work extra hard now just to accomplish previously simplistic tasks. Each person on my team works very hard every day to sustain themselves, but also nourish their creativity. Sometimes inspiration is hard to act upon when there is so much negativity, and it takes a lot of energy to power through. So, daily we are affected by this new world we live in and must persevere.
My imagination is vivid. My work often turns out differently than I imagined it, but that is all part of the process. It’s enjoyable to see how things take shape once you involve others.
- What have you learned from working on your show so far?
I am continuously learning how to articulate my intentions and visions to my artists. It’s easy to just imagine something, but to find a way to extract that from a group of people you just met, that’s a challenge for sure. Communication is key, although this can be difficult when you are trained to respond with movement rather than words. It’s a different language.
- There’s a mysterious stranger in the back row of your show, wearing a big ol’ N95 mask and a baseball cap and there’s something weirdly familiar about them, and then they come up afterwards to tell you they loved your show. In your WILDEST DREAMS, who is this mysterious stranger? (Bonus points if your mysterious stranger is an Atlanta celeb.)
One of my favorite historic role models is Bronislava Nijinska. She was sometimes overshadowed by her brother Nijinksy as a performer, yet she was an amazing choreographer and designer. Despite being an underdog because of her gender, her work was groundbreaking; she brought a sense of style and continuity to her work that I have always admired. I wish she could see my work today as I am inspired by her ability to create such uniquely entertaining work.
- Fringes are the place to really push the boundaries so we gotta ask: are you inviting your family to this show are “Hey, maybe sit this one out you guys…”
I think taking risks as an artist is important (within reason-safety first)! For every artist, pushing a boundary means something different. Personally, I would never create something I didn’t want other people to see. The audience inspires me to create just as much as my own driving forces. I like to jump off and take risks, and I want the audience to experience it too. We’re in this together.
- We’ve asked this question every year for the past ten years or so but it hits different this year: Will your show change the world?
No, it won’t. But as artists we make the world more tolerable and give people a sense of purpose, and that’s important!
- Zoom meetings: dress up head to toe or Donald Duck it?
Personally, I like to dress up for any meeting I attend because it helps me maintain a professional mindset.
- We’re making an excellent Fringey Feelings playlist. Describe your show in two or three songs we can add to keep the jams flowing.
I think this one is best answered by coming to the performance!
Sounds incredible, right? Gonna need to nab those tickets, right? Click here to reserve your seats today!
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