Hanna Needles, sitting, from Sheridan, and other UW students rehearse a scene
from “Life/AFTERDark.” The dance-theater work will run Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 15-18,
at 7:30 p.m. as well as Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing
Arts Studio Theater. (Carson Almand Photo)
The University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance’s fall season continues
with an original and immersive dance-theater work.
“Life/AFTERDark” will run Wednesday-Saturday, Nov. 15-18, at 7:30 p.m. as well as
Nov. 18 at 2 p.m. in the Buchanan Center for the Performing Arts Studio Theater.
Tickets are $14 for the public, $11 for senior citizens and $7 for students. A nominal
processing fee will be charged for each ticket. To purchase tickets, visit the Performing
Arts box office, call (307) 766-6666 or go online at www.tix.com/ticket-sales/uwyo/6984.
Conceived, directed and choreographed by Aaron Wood, a UW assistant professor of dance,
“Life/AFTERDark” explores and safely shares universal themes of adversity, survival
and perseverance. UW Department of Theatre and Dance design faculty members Scott
Tedmon-Jones, Erin Reed and Jason Banks, as well as company members, collaborated
on the piece.
Coming 25 years after the murder of UW student Matthew Shepard, “Life/AFTERDark”
is inspired by “October Mourning,” Lesléa Newman’s poetic exploration of the impact
of Shepard’s death.
The piece was abstracted and derived from personal interpretations and experiences
of collaborators from diverse life perspectives. It explores the way in which language,
both verbal and physical, expresses individual and communal identity.
“In all forms of language, there is a powerful opportunity to unite, there is a gift
of seeing each other in one another, if the chance is permitted,” Wood says.
“Life/AFTERDark” provides audiences and collaborators a space to experience their
shared humanity by exploring how the human body functions as a repository of lived
knowledge that serves as the basis for the interpretation of spoken language.
“The language offered in this production, both through movement and spoken, I hope
will serve as a catalyst in bringing forward truthful, empathetic and civil discourse,”
Wood says. “Now, more than ever, I believe it is imperative to see oneself in another,
to see each other in light and with grace, and to know there is life after dark.”
For more information, call Kathy Kirkaldie, UW Fine Arts coordinator, at (307) 766-2160
or email [email protected].