Locked-In

Andrea Ariel Dance Theatre premiered Locked-in June 21-24

A fusion of original live music, dance and Soundpainting exploring our digital lives.

@ The Museum of Human Achievement

AADT’s “Locked-in” explores our relationship to our devices, and how they have changed, advanced and altered our world and our lives. Directed by award-winning choreographer Andrea Ariel, the new performance combines choreographed dance and live compositions of directed improvisations with original music composed by Andy Nolte.

“Locked-In” was inspired by Ariel’s own awareness of how our mobile devices and this digital age are changing our lives physically, emotionally and socially in both positive and negative ways. Ariel says – Over the last year I have been observing people focused in their devices. Do we talk to people out in the world less? Do we miss what is right in front of us, because we are not really present in the actual physical moment in place and time?”“But on the other side, we’re connected on such a larger scale than we would have ever thought. It made me think, ‘Are these devices driving my life and am I in tune with myself and nature?’ As an ensemble we brought together our observations and compiled a list of words that embrace the large magnitude of our experiences in relation to our devices.”

As with the AADT’s past productions, such as critically acclaimed “The Bowie Project,” “Locked-in” incorporates Soundpainting – a “live composing” sign language that leads improvised performances for musicians, actors, dancers, visual and media artists. Created in the ’70s, Soundpainting uses over 1500 gestures to spontaneously guide, shape and remix material in real time. Now practiced widely across Europe in both professional and educational circles, AADT is the only company in this region working with this form. Because Soundpainting is improvisational in nature, no two shows are ever the same. Nolte’s original songs for “Locked-in” create six “palettes” that will be deconstructed and remixed in live compositions, weaving set and improvised choreography through the narrative of the songs. The music will be performed by Nolte (vocals, guitar, keys) with Leila Louise Henley (vocals, saxophone, flute), Alan Uribe (bass), and Garry Franklin (drums); with choreography by Ariel created in collaboration with performers Alyson Dolan, Lisa Kobdish, Clay Moore and Angie Johnson. Production design by Stephen Pruitt.

Nolte took inspirations from the ensemble’s compiled observations to compose evocative songs that include “Digital Life” (“I check in I check out, I can’t help it I’m an addict now”) to “Where are You? (I’m reaching out to you across the great divide) to “Locked-in” (“Got my one stop shop everywhere I go”). Ariel says the choreography delves into the dichotomy of interaction and connection and the constant beckoning of our devices that create disruption and disengagement. “In one dance, our hands naked of a device become the looking glass into ourselves, our lifelines, evoking sweeping movements that reach out to the space and to each other— until being interrupted by the beeps and rings of our phones,” Ariel says. “‘Locked-in is very timely, and my hope is that it will engage people in the audience to reflect on their own life changes and stimulate a conversation.”

The show opened with artist Yuliya Lanina’s premiere of “This is a Test of the Internal Emergency Broadcast System,” a one woman multimedia performance and art show featuring animatronic sculpture, animation, drawing, and original music by Vladimir Rannev and choreography direction by Andrea Ariel.