“The idea comes from a poem by Walt Whitman, called ‘The Sleepers,’” said Sharon Butcher, assistant professor in the HSU Department of Theatre, Film and Dance, and one of the show’s choreographers. “In the poem, the narrator enters into the dream worlds of other people and gains greater perception and awareness of the human condition.”
Or as Whitman put it: “I dream in my dream all the dreams of the other dreamers, And I become the other dreamers. I am a dance—-play up there! The fit is whirling me fast!”
Principle dancer and choreographer, Jandy Bergmann, plays the narrator who enters the dreams of others, eventually changing the dreamers.
The music was composed for the occasion by J. Brian Post, who teaches music at HSU, and local performing artist Lila Nelson. Besides being a popular performer and songwriter (with a song currently featured on Neil Young’s web site), Lila is Jandy Bergmann’s younger sister.
Photography projected to further illustrate the landscape of the dreams is also original, created for this project by Kevin Peer and Rosa Rashall of Lost Coast Studio. Both are experienced nature photographers. Peer created films for National Geographic and the National Park Service.
Other dancers include Erin Fernandez and Jaese Lecuyer from the HSU dance faculty, Susie Kidd of the CR dance faculty, and students and community members Athena Clune, Rebecca Rubenstein, Sarah Carlton, Trisha Leister, Laura Lopez-Ayllon and Brian Early.
Costumes were designed by local designer Kevin Sharkey.
“Journeys Before Waking” will be performed in Gist Hall Theatre Tuesday, September 26 to Saturday, September 30, at 7:30 pm. There will also be a matinee performance at 2 p.m. on Sunday, October 1.
All HSU Theatre, Film & Dance department shows will begin at 7:30 this year. Because the performance is in the smaller Gist theatre, reserving seats early is encouraged.
Tickets are $10, $8 students/seniors, with limited free seats to HSU students. Call 826-3928 for reservations, or visit the HSU ticket office in the campus bookstore.
For more information, visit http://journeyshsu.blogspot.com/.