Robin Roger
(This article appeared in the March 4, 2004 edition of the Taconic Weekend. Reprinted with permission of the Gazette Advertiser.)
Robin Roger previews the premiere of "Shipwrecked," a new modern dance at Cocoon Theatre in Rhinebeck.
“Shipwrecked”
Cocoon Theatre, Route 9, Rhinebeck
March 5 through 13
8 p.m. • Fridays and Saturdays
(845) 876-6470
"I was at the end of my rope." "I was ready to throw in the towel." "It was time to raise the white flag." "I was lost."
These are metaphors used by people who have had traumatic, life-changing experiences. With these words, people try to express their grief, helplessness or the sense of loneliness that accompanies both of these emotions. When bad things happen, you might even say you feel shipwrecked, left alone on an island of personal pain.
TThe Cocoon Theatre Modern Dance Company will bring that metaphor to life on the stage this weekend in "Shipwrecked," a new modern dance piece, choreographed by Marguerite San Millan. The dance illustrates the shipwreck in four characters' lives, set to music by The Beatles, Loreena McKennitt, Joni Mitchell and other artists.
The choreographer's husband, Andres San Millan, serves as artistic production director and set director for the 90-minute perfomance (with intermission), which will be followed by a discussion period.
"In our society, there is an idea that nothing's supposed to go wrong," says Marguerite San Millan. "We're not supposed to get divorced or overdraw at the bank. When something goes wrong, we see it as bad. There isn't a positive attitude when we're challenged. It's hard to learn from the difficult experiences in our lives."
The purpose of the show, however, is not to provide a feel-good, sappy Hollywood resolution to all the world's problems.
"I'm not trying to give a message to people that everything will be all right," San Millan says. "I want them to try to understand that we're not ever truly alone, even though we may feel that way."
According to the choreographer, ever since "Lord of the Flies" was staged, the Cocoon Theatre has moved in a more serious direction, finding their footing with debatable material that raises questions. San Millan says she prefers to produce drama that does more than entertain. Likewise, she says her choreography is more than just the design of the floor plan and graceful bodies.
For this piece in particular, San Millan collaborated with the dancers. The group consists of Carly Repko, Kazim Ali, Stasha Rosen, and Magdalene San Millan, the choreographer's 15-year-old daughter. These four dancers appear in different combinations or alone in 11 or so titled segments, such as "Sweep," "Tide" and "Forgiving the Night."
Ali, who teaches literature at the Culinary Institute of America, says the creation of "Shipwrecked" came about in an organic way. He says the dancers discussed the concept, and what it meant to them, first. Then, he says, they wrote in journals and talked about what they had written. They started with a couple of movements and from that they built a whole dance.
"It's a pretty dynamic way of working - you're never sure how it's going to turn out," he says. "It is really like a conversation between the dancers. It's very lyrical. There's no specific plot line, but there is a very emotional trajectory that is undertaken by these people - you really can imagine them adrift at sea, whether it's metaphorical or not."
There is the same amount at stake, Ali says, whether one is actually going through a shipwreck or if it's metaphorical. He adds that people can relate to the piece because we all have to deal with certain stages in our lives. Almost everyone can relate to being emotionally isolated at some point.
Ali provides an example: you're out of work; you're looking for work; you're not having any luck. You are definitely not alone.
Stasha Rosen, a 16-year-old from Poughkeepsie, says the show is open to interpretation by anyone who comes to see it.
"I know what things mean to me," she says. "But it has many different levels."
Rosen says her character always questions, observes and looks around. She sees things that aren't always true, but she gets glimpses of reality. She says she can relate to that idea, because, as a teenager, she is going through a similar phase, and continues to question her ideals.
"It can be literal," Rosen says. "Us shipwrecked on an island, but it's much more about the shipwreck in all of our lives."
According to Rosen, San Millan gave the dancers the liberty to choreograph some of the pices, either in solo or in interactions with each other. The choreographer gave them phrases, but didn't force them to do any sort of movement. Rosen says the inspiration came from the dancers, and from within the characters.
"This is a special place," she says of Cocoon Theatre. "Everything is so thought-provoking. And it's nice to absorb a performance, to become totally engrossed in it."
Despite its serious nature, San Millan urges children to come and see the show. How can they relate to the show, if they have never experienced a "shipwreck" so to speak?
"I have a very strong belief that kids are people - they're just younger," San Millan says. "Even a 5-year-old who is angry and battling over candy with another child is as emotionally invested as an adult who is battling with another adult."
San Millan says it's just as valuable for children to resolve problems and learn to work them out. The theater also encourages parents to bring small children, she adds, and let them watch as much as they want.
"My experience is that children surprise me," San Millan says. "My hope is that they can connect."
Robin saw "Antigone" at the Cocoon Theatre in 2003 and nominated it for Taconic Weekend's top 10 plays of the year.