Dance|Now - Final Bow | Dance Enthusiast
Dance|Now - Final Bow Review | Dance Informa
For something quite different in tone and aesthetic, Alex and Joy Davis danced for mock audition tapes in For Industry Only. They introduced themselves for their tapes with their names and that they’re “non-union”. They began moving with size and speed: turning, extending limbs, grounding deep with spines directing energy skyward — all with postmodern release and kinesthetic honesty. In a fascinating effect I didn’t see coming, they also digitally multiplied themselves in motion (becoming many carbon copies of themselves dancing through the space).
Occasionally, they threw in amusing phrases and short sentences, keeping the presence of speech alive in the work and bringing a laugh or two. Soon, time seemed to eclipse as they began to, little to little, appear increasingly sweaty and disheveled: stage makeup melted and streaking, clothes ripped, hair askance.
They said farewell as their tape wrapped – explaining that they were auditioning together yet were also open to solo opportunities, and that this was their first audition since COVID. They stood tall and attempted some sort of correction to their ripped costumes and messy hair, then hugged and exited.
It all oozed the earnestness and devotion of performing artists, whatever challenges the industry throws their way — whatever challenges they may also sweep under the rug (or at least attempt to do so). I wanted to hug them both and every artist struggling to keep doing what they love — what they need to do, really — in this pandemic-plagued world.
I could see some viewers experiencing the work as a bit “meta”, a bit “inside baseball” to the performing arts world. Yet, to me, that earnestness and devotion is something that any person can appreciate.