un/tethered

Direction, Concept, & Performance: Gwendolyn Gussman
Musical Direction, Sound Designer, Composer & Performance: Daniel Weidlein
Set Design, Installation & Creative Collaboration: Maki Teshima
Lighting Design, Production Management, & Creative Collaboration: Alex Taylor
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Divya Maus
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Amanda Wallace
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Claire Westby
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Dervla Carey-Jones
Creative Collaborator & Performance: Xenia Mansour
Creative Collaborator & Performance: Nico Gonzales
Creative Collaborator & Performance: Xochitl Portillo
Creative Collaborator & Performance: Bailey Harper 
Stage Manager: Emma Kimball 

un/tethered is composed of three distinct parts: alone, mother, and together, each of which can be experienced individually and will premiere in Denver over the course of 2024, culminating in a durational, epic work in 2025. The first section, together : un/tethered, made its World Premiere this April at The Studio Loft at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Arts Complex in Denver, Colorado with the support of Denver Arts and Venues.

together : un/tethered explores our ties to the world and each other. These tethers connect us, but can be altered, cut and reconnected. Weaving movement, live and original music, immersive theater, personal narrative, visual arts and participation, the audience is taken on an evocative journey to celebrate grief and joy.

In development since October 2022, un/tethered is inspired by the work of prolific environmental scientists, eco-psychologists, indigenous communities, activists, writers, and others, and marries high quality performing arts with participation -- tasks incorporating environmental and psychological reflection, expression, and ritual. This partnership transforms the audience from removed spectator to empathetic participant. un/tethered is HOLDTIGHT’s most sustainable production to date, incorporating natural elements such as food-scrap dyed set pieces and costumes, reclaimed set materials and more.

In August 2023, CREATEart and Carroll Hall supported the early development and performances of two sections of this works-in-progress through a month-long creative residency in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

together, the third section of the immersive dance-theater work un/tethered, is a vivid theatrical exploration of our collective narratives and the transformative power of shared experiences, with a poignant emphasis on the potential that humankind has to shift our relationship towards healing with our planet earth.

together dives into the individualistic mindset that has dominated Euro-Western culture for the past century +, and illuminates the needs of “I” and “We” in relation to the Earth. It questions these individualistic narratives, prompting the audience to scrutinize their beliefs and the stories shaping their world view, highlighting the impact of our collective actions on the environment.

This process of collective introspection activates a communal grieving for the loss of harmful narratives that have led to environmental neglect, emphasizing how allowing space for grief leads to more love, care, and positive action. The piece is a “grief party”, but not just a mourning of the past– it is an acknowledgment that grief opens the door to necessary transformation and joy, paving the way for intersectional change. It underscores the idea that without shedding outdated beliefs and practices, we cannot experience rebirth or develop a more sustainable relationship with our planet.

The use of immersive soundscapes and interactive elements, including sonic, textile, and physical installations, deeply engages the audience, blurring the lines between spectator and participant. together also celebrates the timeless rituals of song and dance as universal connectors, harkening back to the dawn of human civilization. The potency of together is accentuated by participatory, innovative, and ethically-sourced set design involving large scale installations mixed with individual interactive pieces, notably different kinds of tethers. 

With a focus on large group dynamics, this piece shifts to a macro perspective, showcasing the power of collective action and thought. It's a grand, sweeping exploration of how shared practices, beliefs, and narratives have the power to unite people across time and space, emphasizing that in the glorious tapestry of human experience, we are all interwoven, forever bound to one another and the Earth. together is a call to reevaluate, to grieve, and ultimately, to rebuild our collective stories for a more connected and empathetic world.

“While the artistry and talent present in this show is high quality, what most impressed me the powerful commitment to the audience.”

Alex Miller, Onstage Colorado

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