The Buzz Intro Interview | The Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company

Respondent: Lauren Overstreet
Position in Company: Director
Company: The Atlanta Contemporary Dance Company
Show Title: This Silly Little Game

“I think we as artists, and particularly women, put so much of ourselves into our art and it can be incredibly unnerving to put your art out there for potential criticism.”

Why should people see your show?

One of my main drives in creating full length dance productions is to make them appealing to a broader audience. This usually means that I toe the line a little more between true modern-contemporary work and more mainstream commercial-contemporary. I hope that people can find the show relatable. There is a raw vulnerability this cast is able to exude through their movements. It’s honestly such a privilege to watch them perform.

A quote that I feel best describes the theme of the show is:

“Growing up, I never knew a relaxed woman.

Successful women? Yes. Productive women? Yes. Plenty. Anxious and afraid and apologetic women? Heaps of them. But relaxed women? At ease women? Women who aren’t afraid to take up space in the world? Women who prioritize rest and pleasure and play? Women who give themselves unconditional permission to relax without guilt, without apology, without feeling like they need to earn it? I’m not sure I’ve ever met a woman like that. But I would like to become one. I would like us all to become one.”

-Nicola Jane Hobbs

What about festivals intrigues you? And why the Atlanta Fringe?

I love the idea of bringing contemporary dance to a broader audience. I love that we get to perform along-side other performance art styles. I’m excited that we will get to support these other genres as well!

What inspired you to create this?

My own personal experience played a huge role in the creation of this show, but it evolved into something even greater as I began working with the cast and including their own experiences. I think we as artists, and particularly women, put so much of ourselves into our art and it can be incredibly unnerving to put your art out there for potential criticism.

Life has been weird the last few years, to say the least. How has the “real world” affected the art you’re creating?

I think There has been added pressure to be “seen” in the art world over the last few years. Attendance numbers are down, and it feels increasingly difficult to gain audiences for productions. This can be a deterrent as we put so much of ourselves into our shows, and it’s disheartening to think people won’t see the work.

What have you learned from working on your show so far?

I’ve definitely learned to let go of total control. there is no true perfectionism in art, and you do your best if you just go with the flow and see what happens. And to be frank, those are usually the moments with the true “magic” happens.

A mysterious stranger asks to meet you and your cast and crew after loving your show. In your WILDEST DREAMS, who is it? (Bonus points if your mysterious stranger is an Atlanta celeb.)

Janelle Monae!

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…”

Yeah, sorry grandmas!