PUSH FOLDArtistic Director | Samuel Hobbs | Portland, Oregon USA
 
 
 
push/FOLD dancer Briley Jozwiak draped over artistic director Samuel Hobbs' shoulders in 'Early' at Columbia Dance Center in Vancouver, Washington| Photographer: Jingzi Zhao
 
 
 

Early

Composer‑Choreographer: Samuel Hobbs

2018 - Portland, Oregon USA

‘Early’ is an evocative exploration of the human condition, weaving themes of love, loss, power, identity, and transition into a rich tapestry of movement. From butoh-like stillness and sculpturesque partnering to explosive, athletic bursts of movement, this evening-length work offers a visceral reflection on the complexities of life.

Set to an original sound-score composed by Samuel Hobbs, and enhanced by Hobbs’ striking lighting and minimalist set design, 'Early' is a non-stop experience that immerses the audience in a world both intense and tender. The work features a cast of four dancers who move through intricate duets and solos, each piece a fragment of a single, deeply personal story.

With its fluid interplay between synthetic and natural sounds—juxtaposed with the gentle rhythms of waves and wind—'Early' dances on the edge of grace and power. Described as having a mood akin to a "modern-day Haydn" (Bob Hicks, Oregon ArtsWatch), this performance invites you to journey through a landscape of profound emotion and striking physicality.

Performance contains nudity.


Camera: Sumi Wu

Press

push/FOLD: The many faces of Adam
Elizabeth Whelan - (Oregon ArtsWatch)

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Samuel Hobbs’ push/FOLD dance company prepares for a Mexico City festival
Elizabeth Whelan - (Oregon ArtsWatch)

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Length

Approx. 60 minutes w/o intermission

Look & Feel

Athletic, Powerful, Immersive, Serious, Duets, Solos, Single story arc.

Movement Style

Post-contemporary athletic and momentum-based movement-partnering.

Music Style

Synthetic & Orchestral Instruments, Piano, Vocals

Costumes

Civilian clothing, Nudity

Venues

Proscenium Theatre, Black-box, Installation/Site-specific

 
Jingzi Zhao | Dancers: Samuel Hobbs & Briley Jozwiak | 'Early'
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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