Traverse, by Suzanne Beahrs and Xi Zhao, with contributions from the dancers. Performed by Resilience Dance Company, St. Louis, 2023.

Traverse is an exploration of staying connected to our bodies as best we can when facing invasion. When encountering outside impositions, whether it be from war or interpersonal relationships, we might experience a reaction, such as fight, flight, or freeze, but we can also access other connections through our bodies, such as to our breath, gravity and the earth, our senses, and one another. What would it look and feel like to practice staying grounded within ourselves as we contend with these provocations, so that we can prepare our responses with clear intention, both as individuals and a collective? 

Dancers: Renee Austin, Chrissy Clair,

AMID (2014), 4 minute excerpt. Choreography by Suzanne Beahrs. Performance: Suzanne Beahrs, Sarah Hillmon, Julia Jurgilewicz, Celine Syslo, and Madeline Wilcox Music: “Mariel” by Osvaldo Golijov, arr. Maya Beiser. Lighting design by Brittany Spencer. Photo by Yi-Chun Wu.