In Up Close the audience takes the stage, literally. They are seated on stage among the dancers of Contemporary Dance Wyoming for two performances on Thursday and Friday. It’s all about breaking down “the fourth wall,” the invisible barrier that separates performers from their audience. The fourth wall provides the illusion that the audience is simply witnessing a performance, that the performers are unaware of the audience’s presence. As the name suggests, however, Up Close positions the audience intimately close to dancers. Such an arrangement imbues the performance with intensity, emotion and nuance.
Babs Case is artistic director for Contemporary Dance Wyoming and Francesca Romo is rehearsal director. KHOL asked them about dismantling the fourth wall for Up Close and more.
Above: Francesca Romo and Michaela Ellingson of Contemporary Dance Wyoming. (Todd Rosenberg)
