Dancing in Snow | Photo by Taso Papadakis

Dancing in Snow

"Dancing in Snow," choreographed by Roderick George, is a sophisticated and thoughtful statement about Black and Queer experiences, and how cultural appropriation and tokenism separate Black dancing and culture from Black bodies.

INFO

The poetic title is a metaphor for those who have had to assimilate into a society of White America. George’s new work is a deeper redevelopment of Tainted, a solo piece that premiered at the Odyssey in 2020. The original work was a solo narrowed on the vision of the dancer, Jamila Glass, and how she could see her existence as the only Black woman in white spaces.  In the new work with a larger cast, Glass is joined by LACDC dancers Kate Coleman, Nicole Hagen, Colleen Hendricks, JM Rodriguez, and Ryan Ruiz, and guest artists Edgar Aguirre, Sam McReynolds, and Dave x.

Credits

Choreographer:

  • Roderick George

LACDC Artists:

  • Kate Coleman, Jamila Glass, Nicole Hagen, Colleen Hendricks, JM Rodriguez, Ryan Ruiz, with guest artists Sam McReynolds, Edgar Aguirre, Dave x

Collaborators include:

  • Music: slowdanger
  • Costume Designer: Robert Huerta & Ashley Kayombo
  • Lighting Designer: Claire Chrzan
  • Rehearsal Director: Natasha Poon Woo
  • Costume Consultant: Kelsey Vidic

Additional Info

Trailer Filmed by Anna Tse and Edited by Danielle King 

"I was totally blown away by artistic & creative choreography. The bold, soft, athletic movement had me thinking how dance continues to evolve. And the fact all the dances were in top shape as they were on stage for like 45 min straight. What stamina, what artistic expression and what cohesiveness you all had. The space you used was poetry in motion…thank you for sharing your skills and talents." - Daniel G. Girey

"How did you make something so current, artful, abstract, gorgeous, sophisticated, time warping. You get lost in it. It was f*cking good. I'm gagged." -- Rick Gradone (Art Director, Costume Designer / Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, Vanity Fair)

"His dance vocabulary runs the gamut from modern to jazz, ballet to street, with a deft touch of musical theater tossed in. The movement emanates from the core with the torso always in use and the arms beautifully rendered. With small gestures or perhaps a nod of the head George captures the musical accents and innuendo throughout. He understands the need to keep the stage moving, yet also knows when to slow it down for a solo or unison work. I was instantly drawn in." -- Tam Warner, L.A. Dance Chronicle

"Thank you Jamila for an incredible show last night. You all are such strong dancers holy sh*t. And I loved all those tiny precise moves. Damn. So impressed." - Jasmine Albuquerque (Choreographer - Katy Perry, St. Vincent, Savage x Fenty)

"The show is like a grinding pestle beauty." -- Kelsey Vidic (Costume Designer)