The Allen Body Group & Jenny Marytai Liu

In the Allen Body Group’s Einstein’s Dreams, Malinda Allen imagines a series of the scientist’s dreams about the theory of relativity, using as a guide astrophysicist Alan Lightman’s book of the same name, where each dream is a separate investigation of time. Rafael Cohen and Allen’s gentle score contrasts with her physically intense choreography. Adrian Clark’s set of three moveable lighted panels constantly reshapes the space.

Jennie MaryTai Liu finds inspiration for Learning in Lower Animals (a biology sonata, a world premiere, in a 1968 textbook on invertebrate sea creatures. Expanding on her interest in species that function only when part of a larger colony, her three-part theatrical dance for nine performers follows the actions of a close-knit family. Liu juxtaposes these communal relations with her own personal relationships by creating text based on her family videos, journal entries and conversations. Visual artist Nadia-Ries Shen collaborated with Liu on the work, which also features Heather Christian’s original score combining harmonium, voice, violin, trumpet, banjo and found sound.