lavaearthmovingperformance
LAVA is a troupe of six women who develop and perform artistic works that combine dance, theater and circus. Founded in 1994 by Sarah East Johnson, LAVA has developed seven original works that have dealt with such topics as the formation of volcanoes, plate tectonics, evolution, and the relationship between science and faith.
Productions feature original music by contemporary rock bands and video projections by visual artists. LAVA performs in New York and elsewhere in the United States. In addition to creating at least one new work each season, LAVA members teach a unique blend of circus acrobatics and dance to children and adults.
Johnson also hopes to impact audiences with Lava’s portrayals of remarkably strong, agile women supporting each other, literally and figuratively. Johnson explains, "There’s an opportunity to imagine the world in a different light when you see a group of women working together in a way that’s cooperative and empowered. It demonstrates examples of relationships that we don’t get to see very often." A classic illustration of Lava-brand teamwork is Johnson’s 2002 "Timberline," in which the dancers devise daring acrobatic strategies in order to pour water into glasses that surround two women. The dancers then concoct even more intrepid ways of removing the glasses, sans spillage. The camaraderie among the dancers here is palpable, creating a celebratory environment of female strength and friendship. "Everyone in the group is really different, but the way we train together creates a closeness that is very powerful," Johnson concedes.
AWARDS & GRANTS
January 2002: Grant from New York State Council on the Arts for Glimmer
January 2001: Grant from New York State Council on the Arts for Timberline
2000-2001: Grant from The Jerome Foundation
September 2000: Bessie Award for Lava Love
March 2000: OBIE Award for Lava Love
September 1999: Jerome Foundation and Heathcote Foundation Grants for Lava Love (The Flea Theater)
April 1998: Jerome Foundation Commission for the creation of Volcano Love (The Kitchen)
March 1997: Mary Flagler Carey Charitable Trust Grant for Live Music for Dance for Girls and Volcanoes
"LAVA Earth Moving Performance...an exhilirating circus of women on the move... .
" Sarah East Johnson's thrilling choreography, in which six brawny women use acrobatics as a metaphor for emotional connection, flinging themselves fearlessly into feats of daring: two performers wrapped back to back in Ace bandages flip over like a human Slinky; dancers jump through hoops in intricate and accelerating variations and stack up in a perfectly spaced line of headstands. With a fluid video backdrop of Lava lamps and waterfalls, designed by Nancy Brooks Brody.
" Lava Love" is just your typical daredevil trapeze variety hula dance program. With wrestlers in dresses .
