Shadows: Aural Settings

Shadows integrates Arvo Pärt’s music, specifically “Für Alina” and “Fratres”.
The music provides a melancholic, haunting tone, supporting the narrative’s themes of family, fear, and survival.
Silence is used periodically to amplify tension, and highlight the gravity of the family’s struggle.
The aural setting is instrumental in conveying the emotional weight of the work, reinforcing the evocative movements, themes, and staging.
The absence of sound often serves to underline poignant moments or shifts in the dynamics of the family relationships.

The work uses a variety of choreography tactics to communicate the narrative, such as unison, canon, contact improvisation, repetition, and mirroring.
Movements often symbolize power struggles, fear, and familial bonds.
Contact improvisation specifically supports the portrayal of relationships among family members, suggesting both support and dependency.
Mirroring reminds viewers of the familial bonds and similarities shared among characters.
Repetition amplifies the cyclical nature of fear and struggle undergone by the family.

Shadows is performed in a proscenium arch stage setting.
This conventional setting allows the audience to view the piece from the front and immerse in the choreography as if watching a traditional theatre performance.
The backdrop and use of lighting enhance the overall atmosphere and mood, further emphasizing the powerful themes of the work.

The work incorporates simple, everyday costumes and minimal props to maintain focus on the narrative and dance.
The dancers do not wear shoes, further establishing the sense of vulnerability.
Furniture props, such as chairs and a table, represent a home setting, demonstrating the domestic nature of the piece.
Lighting is meticulously used to reflect shifts in the narrative, the characters’ mental state, and the general ambiance of the scene.