DIS/INTEGRATE

MFA candidates Alayna Lee and Heather Boni will present DIS/INTEGRATE in partial fulfillment of the Master of Fine Arts Degree in Dance. A pre-show will begin at 7:30 and the audience is invited to explore the space through a life-size maze that represents the blueprint of a brain coping with dementia. The performance is set in-the-round which will provide each seat with a unique perspective and experience of both works. DIS/INTEGRATE is comprised of two sections including Lee’s, \\\\\\\”imprinted\\\\\\\”, and Boni’s, \\\\\\\”Extensions of Us\\\\\\\”.

Lee’s \\\\\\\”imprinted\\\\\\\” investigates the complexities of dementia, taken from her own experience witnessing her grandfather, Clover Thirsk, live with the disease toward the end of his life. Lee is interested in using dance to express biological and neurological transformations generated by dementia, hoping to physically demonstrate that dementia “is not all sad…there are points of joy, and happiness, and silliness, too…and to acknowledge the human being that is still present apart from the disease.”

Boni’s \\\\\\\”Extensions of Us\\\\\\\” is comprised of four works that explore limitations—physical, mental, and spatial—and the unique perceptions of these limits that drive and shape our individualized character. An integrated cast of differently abled dancers will perform these deeply reflective and relatable investigations of perceived limitations and embrace “limits” as an impetus for action.