This Lawn is not my Lawn
This Lawn is not my Lawn is an evening-length trio which considers boundaries between peace and boredom within a culture of quickly-paced overstimulation and ecological collapse. The work challenges normative models of the nuclear family, perfectionism, homogeneity, environmental degradation, and consumerism through the frame of lawn-care in the US and the early history and euphoria of plastics. Through looking at human constructions, reproductions, and manipulations of natural ecosystems, we discover how this effort moves us both towards and away from connection. The work invites audiences to notice how attention span, peace, and boredom relate within this deep inquiry into porousness, non-sexual intimacy, and what can be learned about our own evolution through proximity.
This Lawn is not my Lawn was first shown performed at the Mendelson Theater at Smith College (2022) followed by performances at the School for Contemporary Dance and Thought as part of the HUT series, and at Wesleyan University in the Faculty Concert (2023). This creative research has been supported by Smith College, Wesleyan University, the Marble House residency (November 2023), the Peaceable Barn, and a donation from the Shostak Foundation.
Excerpts
photo credit Derek Fowles
BASIC SPECIFICATIONS
The set requires the theater to provide: (2) eight foot ladders, (2) wireless microphones, (1) wired microphone, (1) microphone stand, (1) wide broom stick, (1) large towel/rag to wrap broomstick, black floor safe tape to secure cloth to floor. Preferred black marley floor.
We provide the following set pieces/props and will need to store them within close proximity to the stage: (3) rolls of 4x6’ astroturf, (1) 30x50’ sheet of thin plastic, (1) 5x35’ black cloth, (1) hand held snow machine, (1) bottle of snow machine fluid, (1) fake 4’ tall plant, (1) empty paint bucket, (1) small/medium paint brush, green painters tape, (1) 16x20’ green velvet cloth
Run time: ~40 min
Touring Cast: (3) total— (2) Choreographers/Performers, (1) Collaborator/Performer
Stage— Stage Size: approx 40’W x 30’D
Lighting: Basic lighting grid with side light, one moving spot, and a minimum of 3 hour tech for setting light and sound.
Sound: The sound score includes pre-recorded tracks to be played over a sound system and live speaking into microphones.
Technicians: (1) Stage Manager, (1) stagehand, (1) lighting designer/operator, (1) audio operator
CREATIVE TEAM
Co-choreographer/Performer— Sarah Konner, Austin Selden, Lance Schnorenberg
Original Composer/Sound Design— Matthew Daher
Original Costume Design—Emily Dunn
Lighting Design — Kathy Couch (Part 1, 2022 premier); Chelsea McPhilly (Part 2, 2023 premier)
ABOUT SARAH AND AUSTIN DANCE
Sarah and Austin make performances researching dance, humor, and storytelling. We are inspired by cinema, pop culture, and ecological landscapes to comment upon contemporary reality and to expand the ways we can imagine our world to be.
Sarah and Austin have shown their work at venues including Smith College, Wesleyan University, the School for Contemporary Dance and Thought, the Detroit Institute of Art, Berkshire Fringe Festival (2011, 2013), Arthur Miller Theater, FLICfest 2013 in the Irondale Center, Judson Church, Dance New Amsterdam, Triskelion Arts, Center for Performance and Research, West End Theater, Danspace Project, First Person Plural, The Dance Complex, AWARD Show! Philadelphia, the Kennedy Center, and through the Field Emerging Artist Residency in 2012. They are grateful to collaborate with artists including ChavasseDance&Performance, Alex Springer and Xan Burley, Anneke Hansen and Megan Kendzior.