Evento

The Prevarigator and the Swamp

The Prevarigator and the Swamp is an evening length dance theater satire examining the current political climate under President Trump. The work is choreographed by Caroline Althof Salas, a local dance artist and educator, in collaboration with Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater. The narrative and music for this performance is found through the 1986 National Geographic animal documentary Realm of the Alligator. Blending contemporary dance with the script of the documentary and exploration of current political events lends itself to an intriguing and unique evening of dance theater.

Caroline Althof Salas moved to Asheville four years ago after earning an MFA in Dance Choreography from UNC-Greensboro. As a company member with Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater she has continued to perform and create work since moving to the area. ACDT has become a second home for me and I feel so lucky to collaborate with so many amazing artists says Caroline. The performers are primarily ACDT company members with a few outside dance artists joining. Artists include: Sophia Ahmad, Cierra Budge, Damien Chatelain, Giles Collard, Sharon Cooper, Elizabeth Huntley, Melissa Wilhoit, Gillian Maurer, Eleazar Montgomery, Gina Sassano and Becca Spritz.

Edwin Salas Acosta, an international puppeteer and recent transplant to Asheville, constructed some of the more radical costume pieces found throughout the work. They are transformative in nature. For example, a red woodpecker might turn into a KKK member; an elegant ballroom skirt serves as an alligator nest. There are other costumes that are less glamorous however hold strong symbolic meaning. The feminist activist proudly wears a green Nasty Gator T-shirt. All of the characters collectively make up the swamp.

The Prevarigator and The Swamp parallels political figures or sects in our current climate to the animals examined in Realm of the Alligator such as woodpeckers, otters, corn snakes, carnivorous plants, turtles, and of course, alligators. Through contemporary technique, exaggerated mime and a bit of humor this performance allows the audience to both contemplate the precarious political situation facing us and take a moment to laugh at the insanity of it all.