The Waking Room

The Waking Room is an evening-length contemporary dance work that explores the subconscious movements and physicality inherent in non-ordinary states of consciousness. Using a movement palette generated by minute observation of and response to the process of perception, the piece is an investigation of the pre-cognative channels of sensory interpretation. Initial movement investigations came from studio explorations of Edward Podvoll’s “micro-operations”, and developed an improvisational process that was presented as Lacunae. The accompanying music is generated through the process of deconstructing recognizable sounds into sonic cells that are layered with live music to create a multi-speaker soundscape. This work was supported by The Chicago Dancemakers Forum Lab Artist Grant and a residency at The Morrison-Shearer Foundation.

“Speedy and startling, The Waking Room is also a contemporary horror chamber…. This trio is fast and scary, whirling in place or falling to the floor with an intensity that imperils their bones.”
Chicago Tribune
“The genius – and challenge – of [The Waking Room] is how thoroughly it creates and inhabits its own world… a tight, efficient, uniquely enlightening journey into the elemental.”
See Chicago Dance
“Intense, challenging, and aggressive…. The dancing is top-notch and unlike anything else happening in the city.”
Trailerpilot
“The piece also posits the idea of shedding and rebirth against decay and falling apart… an environment that hovers somewhere between the bizarre and the beautiful.”
Chicago Dance Examiner

Iteration 2:
The Waking Room

Choreographer: Jonathan Meyer
Composer: Christopher Preissing
Performers: Philip Elson, Michel Rodriguez, Jonathan Meyer
Lighting: Julie Ballard
Costumes: Iris Bainum-Houle
Kinetic sculpture: Christopher Furman
Presented in 2008-2009 at
Co-Prosperity Sphere as The Waking Room – Chicago, IL
Epiphany Episcopal as Lacunae – Chicago, IL
Links Hall as Lacunae – Chicago, IL