DANCE LIKE NO ONE IS WATCHING (2021)

Music: Recomposed by Max Richter: Vivaldi, The Four Seasons
Choreography: Alison Cook-Beatty
Dancer: Nika Antuanette
Lighting Designer: Tony Musco
Stage Hands: Jeremy Cone and Nick Beatty
Costume Designer: Ali Taghavi
Videographer and Film Editor: Ellen Maynard
Graphic Designer of quotes: Miranda Stuck

“Dance Like No One Is Watching” is a dance film dedicated to all of the dancers and backstage workers who have been affected by COVID-19. Choreographed on Zoom and filmed at the historic Strand Theatre in Boston, this project sought to capture the magic of the theater, dance, and the team of talented individuals — on-stage and off-stage — that brings the work to fruition. With inspiration from a prompt, Alison Cook-Beatty presented to the community, “What does the theater mean to you? She then brought those inspiring sentiments into the virtual rehearsal process with dancer Nika Antuanette and worked with dancer Miranda Stuck and lighting designer Tony Marques to incorporate the public’s messages into the dance film, filmed by Ellen Maynard. Therein lies the story; a sold-out theater, a solo rehearsed for months and ready for the premiere, a team at work, and an audience awaiting an evening of dance… when sometimes life takes unexpected turns. With art imitating life, sometimes a dance is much more than a dance, but a reflection of who we are and how we work together.

Thank you to Matthew Breton at the Strand Theater for hosting us in your beautiful venue, to the Mayor’s Office of Arts in the City of Boston for your support, Jessica Gordon Academy of Performing Arts for providing rehearsal space as we developed the piece, and to the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs as this work was in part supported by them as well.