"Hush-a-Bye"

thumb|300px|right Gabrielle began "Hush-a-Bye" after observing gender patterns in horror movies. According to her, many of these American and foreign films depict prominent roles for female children. She noticed many patterns in the gender roles that these young actresses were asked to portray and used those patterns to create movement for this choreographic work. In collaboration with her dancers, Gabrielle's finished work uses objects, lighting, and character portrayal to create an eerie abstract narrative.

Throughout the development of the dance, Gabrielle explored the dual roles of these children as "innocent virgins" and "demonic sexual knowers." In horror movies the girls alter their original demeanor, either through possession or to reveal of their true personality. To depict this idea, her dancers explored the stark transitions between being nurturing/open and deviant/underhanded.

Program Information:


 * Choreographer: Gabrielle Aufiero in collaboration with dancers


 * Music Editing: Gabrielle Aufiero in collaboration with Keith Fleming


 * Music: "Lullaby from Rosemary's Baby" - Mia Farrow; "Suspiria" - Goblin; "Lullaby from 'Hush'" - Joss Whedon with lyrics by Gabrielle Aufiero


 * Dancers: Ashleigh Christian, Alex Cole, Destiny Malone, Cassie Summers, Kelsey Williams

Questions to Consider:


 * 1) What does the sexualizing of female children in horror movies say about our society?
 * 2) What horror movies come to mind when watching this dance? What moments in the dance elicit this association?
 * 3) Consider your physical responses to the movement seen on stage and how you relate to the emotions expressed by the dancers. For example, do you feel yourself tense up or relax during certain moments? What are your emotional reactions to watching the dancers ? Is it creepy? Riveting? Terrifying? Boring? Etc. Is your body tense? Passive? Etc.

Click to add a response: Audience Response Page