Anima / Darkroom
duration: 60 mins
world premiere: La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines et Gutta Zone, Montréal, Sep 26, 2019
videos: ︎teaser ︎behind-the-scenes
world premiere: La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines et Gutta Zone, Montréal, Sep 26, 2019
videos: ︎teaser ︎behind-the-scenes
Hosted in the belly of the theatre, this Krump solo feeds a hunger for communion. The celebrated Krump artist 7Starr performs in dialogue with light, silence, noise, and darkness, freestyling with his raw lexicon. He forges into dark places, carrying us across the gaps that seem to separate us. This groundbreaking work catalyzes Contemporary dance and Krump practices in a bid for emotional reciprocity.
On a mission to breach the singular self, Anima / Darkroom pitches towards a trans-personal catharsis with both vulnerability and brute force. The effort to listen and be heard, to bear witness and be seen, reverberate in an imperfect harmony. Do you see me?
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7Starr ©Do Phan Hoi
On a mission to breach the singular self, Anima / Darkroom pitches towards a trans-personal catharsis with both vulnerability and brute force. The effort to listen and be heard, to bear witness and be seen, reverberate in an imperfect harmony. Do you see me?
7Starr ©Do Phan Hoi
7Starr ©Elias Touil
Anima / Darkroom is the result of a first collaboration between choreographer, Contemporary dancer and rookie Krumper Lucy M. May and 7Starr, an internationally recognized dancer and leader in the Krump community, who has grown and advocated for Krump culture in Canada for the past fifteen years. To learn more about Krump: mtlkrumpalliance.com
7Starr ©Do Phan Hoi
quotes
"A totally raw creation [...] Each staccato gesture on stage reveals the very essence of this dance which seems so violent, but which is, deep down, a cry from the heart to be heard.” Journal de Montréal
"The wager is audacious, even risky, but the combination of these seemingly opposite worlds makes this work an ode to the creation of bridges between different realities." Alexie Legendre, JEU
"It' s as if his soul is visible in "this black box", in this coming and going between darkness and light that reveals and hides at the same time. [...] A danced moment of rare power." Rose Carine Henriquez, VOIR
“7Starr is an extraordinary performer, shape-shifter of excellence, a master of his craft. Lucy M. May has created the perfect frame in which to gather our focus, to honour and illuminate this unique genius. [...] The audience tumbles into a world of raw honest strength and compassion. One finds oneself held by revealed truth and in awe of human experience. It is storytelling of authenticity and power. The work resonates and remains with me, and still has me marveling weeks later. [...] Seamless and radiant.” Margie Gillis, choreographer
"A totally raw creation [...] Each staccato gesture on stage reveals the very essence of this dance which seems so violent, but which is, deep down, a cry from the heart to be heard.” Journal de Montréal
"The wager is audacious, even risky, but the combination of these seemingly opposite worlds makes this work an ode to the creation of bridges between different realities." Alexie Legendre, JEU
"It' s as if his soul is visible in "this black box", in this coming and going between darkness and light that reveals and hides at the same time. [...] A danced moment of rare power." Rose Carine Henriquez, VOIR
“7Starr is an extraordinary performer, shape-shifter of excellence, a master of his craft. Lucy M. May has created the perfect frame in which to gather our focus, to honour and illuminate this unique genius. [...] The audience tumbles into a world of raw honest strength and compassion. One finds oneself held by revealed truth and in awe of human experience. It is storytelling of authenticity and power. The work resonates and remains with me, and still has me marveling weeks later. [...] Seamless and radiant.” Margie Gillis, choreographer
2021
Maison des arts de Laval, Théâtre des muses, Laval, Nov 25
CAM en Tournée, Montréal, Fall 2021
Ottawa, Fall 2021
Festival TransAmériques, Théâtre Prospero, Montréal, May 26-Jun 4
Diffusion En Scène, Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault, Saint-Jérôme, March 3; cancelled, CoV-19
DLD, Caravane-Solos, L'Assomption, Feb. 5-7; 10-min excerpt, cancelled CoV-19
2020
Breakin’ Convention, Sadler’s Wells, London, UK, May 2-3; cancelled CoV-19
Festival TransAmériques, Montreal, May 22-23-26-27; cancelled CoV-19
Kinetic Studio Symposium, Halifax, Jun 15-20; postponed CoV-19
DLD, Caravane-Solos, Cap-à-l’Aigle, Aug 19-Sep 6; excerpt, 10 min x 50 shows
2019
Centre d’art Diane Dufresne, Repentigny, Apr 4; excerpt, 20 min
SPARK Series, Montreal, Jun 2; excerpt, 30 min
World Premiere La Chapelle & Gutta Zone, Montreal, Sep 26-27-30, Oct 1
2018
Fluid Fest, Calgary, Nov 2-3; study for Anima / Darkroom, 38 min
New Dance Horizons, Regina, Nov 7; video excerpt, 7 min
ELAN Quebec, Théâtre Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Nov 14; excerpt, 3 min
Maison des arts de Laval, Théâtre des muses, Laval, Nov 25
CAM en Tournée, Montréal, Fall 2021
Ottawa, Fall 2021
Festival TransAmériques, Théâtre Prospero, Montréal, May 26-Jun 4
Diffusion En Scène, Théâtre Gilles-Vigneault, Saint-Jérôme, March 3; cancelled, CoV-19
DLD, Caravane-Solos, L'Assomption, Feb. 5-7; 10-min excerpt, cancelled CoV-19
2020
Breakin’ Convention, Sadler’s Wells, London, UK, May 2-3; cancelled CoV-19
Festival TransAmériques, Montreal, May 22-23-26-27; cancelled CoV-19
Kinetic Studio Symposium, Halifax, Jun 15-20; postponed CoV-19
DLD, Caravane-Solos, Cap-à-l’Aigle, Aug 19-Sep 6; excerpt, 10 min x 50 shows
2019
Centre d’art Diane Dufresne, Repentigny, Apr 4; excerpt, 20 min
SPARK Series, Montreal, Jun 2; excerpt, 30 min
World Premiere La Chapelle & Gutta Zone, Montreal, Sep 26-27-30, Oct 1
2018
Fluid Fest, Calgary, Nov 2-3; study for Anima / Darkroom, 38 min
New Dance Horizons, Regina, Nov 7; video excerpt, 7 min
ELAN Quebec, Théâtre Sainte-Catherine, Montreal, Nov 14; excerpt, 3 min
credits
producer, concept, direction Lucy M. May
choreographers Lucy M. May, 7Starr
performer 7Starr
lighting design, technical direction Jon Cleveland
sound design Patrick Conan
original music Patrick Conan, Big Rulez aka God'sHand (Marion Arinloye)
costume design Pax
artistic advisors Ellen Furey, Alexandra "Spicey" Landé
outside eye Valérie “Taminator” Chartier, Nindy Banks, Etienne Lou
rehearsal assistant, stage support Mathilde Mercier-Beloin
mentorship Ola Maciejewska
voice coach Etienne Lou
sound consultant Guillaume Côté
voices Goof, Ja James Britton Johnson, Shean Elie-Leconte aka Shany Boubou HeavySoul, Tommy “Sin’cere” Nuguid
communications assistance Andréanne Samson
administrative assistance Margarita Herrara-Dominguez
photography Elias Touil, Do Phan Hoi, Tommy “Sin’cere” Nuguid
videography Matt McKinney, JaKnows, Emily Gan, Matthew Maaskant, Kinga Michalska, Kimura Byol
video editing Eduardo Menz
technical residencies: La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines, Centre de Création O Vertigo – CCOV, Maison des Arts de Laval, La Maison de la culture Marie-Uguay (Accès culture network)
residencies : Studio 303, le Centre d’art Diane Dufresne/Diffusion Hector-Charland, The Third Floor Projects/Usine C, Danse à la Carte, Studio Illest Drive
financial partners : Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
Thank you Big Mijo and Tight Eyex, the creators of Krump.
Lucy dedicates this work to the memory of Sammono Chau.
producer, concept, direction Lucy M. May
choreographers Lucy M. May, 7Starr
performer 7Starr
lighting design, technical direction Jon Cleveland
sound design Patrick Conan
original music Patrick Conan, Big Rulez aka God'sHand (Marion Arinloye)
costume design Pax
artistic advisors Ellen Furey, Alexandra "Spicey" Landé
outside eye Valérie “Taminator” Chartier, Nindy Banks, Etienne Lou
rehearsal assistant, stage support Mathilde Mercier-Beloin
mentorship Ola Maciejewska
voice coach Etienne Lou
sound consultant Guillaume Côté
voices Goof, Ja James Britton Johnson, Shean Elie-Leconte aka Shany Boubou HeavySoul, Tommy “Sin’cere” Nuguid
communications assistance Andréanne Samson
administrative assistance Margarita Herrara-Dominguez
photography Elias Touil, Do Phan Hoi, Tommy “Sin’cere” Nuguid
videography Matt McKinney, JaKnows, Emily Gan, Matthew Maaskant, Kinga Michalska, Kimura Byol
video editing Eduardo Menz
technical residencies: La Chapelle Scènes Contemporaines, Centre de Création O Vertigo – CCOV, Maison des Arts de Laval, La Maison de la culture Marie-Uguay (Accès culture network)
residencies : Studio 303, le Centre d’art Diane Dufresne/Diffusion Hector-Charland, The Third Floor Projects/Usine C, Danse à la Carte, Studio Illest Drive
financial partners : Canada Council for the Arts, Conseil des arts et des lettres du Québec
Thank you Big Mijo and Tight Eyex, the creators of Krump.
Lucy dedicates this work to the memory of Sammono Chau.
We would like to express our respect and gratitude to the traditional stewards of the stolen lands upon which these works were created: the Anishinaabeg, Chippewa, Haudenosaunee, Kanien’kehá:ka, Mi’kmaq, Mississaugas of the Credit, Peskotomuhkati, Sámi, Wabanaki, and Wolastoqey Nations and Confederacies. Creating dance and art relies on funding and resources, and all wealth comes from the earth. Land back.