Spin Cycle Laundr-o-mat, Historic Fillipinotown, Los Angeles | 2010
Le Superwash Coin Laundry, West Hollywood, CA | 2008
Laundromat, New York City | 2006 Launderland, Culver City, CA| 1998
A reprise of the company’s signature work which, in 2010, was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as an American Masterpiece. Laundromatinee first delighted viewers and washday customers at Thriftiwash Laundromat in Santa Monica in 1988. The show was reprised for Launderland in Culver City in 1998, in 2006, at the Sitelines Festival in NYC, receiving a rave review in the New York Times and in 2008 in the City of West Hollywood. This work celebrates the local coin-op as a community gathering place, a once-common neighborhood fixture that in recent years has been falling prey to urban gentrification.
Expulsion | 2010
A vacant lot in Cambodia Town, Long Beach, CA
Based on the themes of migration and displacement, Expulsion explores the temporary, often fragile nature of “home”. Working with architect Alex Ward of lxw design, inc., three story scaffolding was designed and created for a vacant lot in the heart of Cambodia Town in Long Beach. Expulsion is a contemporary retelling of the ancient story of Cain and Abel from the Old Testament. The performance also featured dancers from the Khmer Arts Academy.
Barely There | 2010
SPF:a Gallery, Culver City, CA
Barely There was inspired by artist Fred Sandback, who created works indicating the volume of sculpture, without the mass. Architects Judit Fekete and Zoltan Pali create an environment in SPF:a Gallery that acknowledges a close relationship with the space. The dancers inhabit minimalist forms and breathe life into the architecture of the installation, occupying the same site as the viewer, altering the forms as they inhabit them, and making connections between performance, spectator and site.
Really, All About Eve, Verse 1 | 2009
Temple Akiba, Culver City, CA
Echo Park United Methodist Church, Los Angeles, CA
A feminist retelling of the story of Eve, this piece is set within the sacred spaces of temple and church. Dancers audition to be cast for the role of Eve before a panel of judges in the segment entitled “Evidently You Can Dance.” Original live score by Daniel Rosenboom.
Material World | 2009
7+FIG Art Space, Downtown Los Angeles
Created in a seven-week site-specific residency, this public art project culminated in a dance performance of “liquid architecture” that stretched two hundred feet of bright blue fabric and ten dancers throughout the topography of the 7 + FIG shopping complex. Completed in collaboration with artist HK Zamani (Habib Kheradyar Zamani), the piece was commissioned by Brookfield Properties, owner of 7 + FIG Art Space.
A Guide to an Exhibitionist | 2008
Los Angeles Comtemporary Exhibitions (LACE), Los Angeles
Museum of Design, Art + Architecture (MODAA), Culver City, CA
This multimedia dance theatre work explores the relationship between artist, audience and the architecture of an art gallery. Live performers in an oversized frame expose the mysteries of the nude, the action of still life and the kaleidoscope of color field. The intimate relationship between artist and onlooker forms the basis of this work which is narrated on audioguide. Written by Merridawn Duckler, designed by Christopher Kuhl and Jeff Teeter.
Longing in Hong Kong | 2007
Hong Kong Urban Dance Festival, Hong Kong
Commissioned by the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation for the Hong Kong Urban Arts Festival, this site specific performance was designed for an elevated glass bridge. This work looks at the high tech glass bridge as an encapsulated space that may be intended to keep things out but, unwittingly, invites the outside world in. Looking out and looking in together define this site of transparency. Designed by Christopher Kuhl.
My Beowulf | 2007 | Work-in-Progress
State Playhouse, California State University, Los Angeles
Roy and Edna Disney/Cal Arts Theater (REDCAT), Los Angeles
A proscenium project with a site-specific approach, this interdisciplinary work-in-progress weaves the ancient and the modern to tell the myth of Beowulf. Conceived by sisters Heidi Duckler and Merridawn Duckler with a stage set composed of theater lighting equipment, designed by Christopher Kuhl.
Dance + Space | 2007
Steven Ehrlich Residence, Venice, California
A site-specific work created at the home of award-winning architect Steven Ehrlich. This work involved dancers interacting with the steel and glass elements of the home’s modern design. This choreographic work was also made into a short dance film entitled, The Human Condition, in collaboration with filmmaker Jocelyn Taylor.
Beowulf on Ice | 2007
Valley Ice Skating Rink, Van Nuys, California
This section of the My Beowulf project was performed at a community ice rink. It used this site and the specific conditions of an icy ground to create a work based on the battle between Grendel and Beowulf. Grendel’s mother is played by a Zamboni and the audience enjoyed an all-skate following the performance. This piece was made into a short film in collaboration with filmmaker George Langworthy and Merridawn Duckler.
Laundromatinee
Spin Cycle Laundr-o-mat, Historic Fillipinotown, Los Angeles | 2010
Le Superwash Coin Laundry, West Hollywood, CA | 2008
Laundromat, New York City | 2006 Launderland, Culver City, CA| 1998
A reprise of the company’s signature work which, in 2010, was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts as an American Masterpiece. Laundromatinee first delighted viewers and washday customers at Thriftiwash Laundromat in Santa Monica in 1988. The show was reprised for Launderland in Culver City in 1998, in 2006, at the Sitelines Festival in NYC, receiving a rave review in the New York Times and in 2008 in the City of West Hollywood. This work celebrates the local coin-op as a community gathering place, a once-common neighborhood fixture that in recent years has been falling prey to urban gentrification.
Beowulf on the Couch | 2006
Storefront Building, Hollywood, California
This module of the My Beowulf project represents the contemporary Beowulf translator’s notes and puts the poem “on the couch” for the artist to gaze into the text and see her own reflection. The audience is invited on stage for a “keyhole” view of this therapy session. This piece was first workshopped at a storefront space in Hollywood, and was later selected as part of REDCAT’s 2007 NOW Festival. Text and voiceover by Merridawn Duckler.
C’opera | 2006
Los Angeles Police Academy, Los Angeles
Created in collaboration with the Los Angeles Police Department, this opera took the audience on a journey throughout the historic Police Academy’s gymnasium, rock garden, coffee shop and firing range. With live music by Amy Knoles and Dorothy Stone and libretto by Merridawn Duckler.
How to Read Beowulf | 2005
Reed College, Portland, Oregon
The first section to be workshopped of CDT’s My Beowulf project. This installment, presented in a mock lecture format, represents the preface of the Old English poem, and depicts schoolgirls confronting an old professor. Written by Merridawn Duckler.
The Entire World is a Narrow Bridge | 2005
Casa del Mexicano, Boyle Heights, Los Angeles
Created in one of the city’s oldest neighborhoods, the performance reflected the community’s complex cultural history with music, costumes and movement influenced by the neighborhood’s Eastern European Jewish, Japanese, and Latino heritage. Written by Merridawn Duckler with music by Bob Een and local Mariachis and a set designed by Habib Kheradyar.
In Case of Love, Break Glass | 2005
Emser Tile Building, West Hollywood, California
Presented as part of the 20th Anniversary Celebrations of the City of West Hollywood. In Case of Love transformed the outside of the historic Emser Tile Building into a soaring, vertical stage, where, dancers in vivid costume scaled the elegant, twin fire escapes to reveal the twists and turns of love.
Huh…a court hearing | 2005
Las Vegas Downtown Courthouse, Las Vegas, NV
Commissioned by the City of Las Vegas, Huh…, with a touch of glitter and neon, took a humorous look at the goings-on of a Vegas courtroom. The audience is summoned to act as a jury and examine the evidence. Text by Merridawn Ducker.
A Hunger Artist | 2004
Perino’s Restaurant, Los Angeles
Juxtaposing Kafka’s text with contemporary monologues written by Merridawn Duckler and projections by BJ Krivanek, the performance considered the struggle of the artist at the fringes of society. The main segment of the performance was a magical, circus-like dance in the round presented in the historic restaurant’s main dining room. Perino’s no longer exists, having been demolished shortly after CDT’s performance.
Not An Entrance | 2003
California ScienCenter, Los Angeles
Performed up and down the stairs and escalators in the Aerospace Museum as part of the ScienCenter’s Centennial of Flight Festival.
Sleeping With the Ambassador | 2003
Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles
Set in Hollywood’s historic (and now demolished) Ambassador Hotel, the audience moved from the decaying empty swimming pool through the Casino Hallway where dancers performed in the storefronts to the famous Coconut Grove and ended in the lobby of the hotel with the dancers curled at the feet of the audience. Written by Merridawn Duckler, music by Amy Knoles, and design by Dan Evans.
Cover Story | 2002
Herald Examiner Building, Los Angeles
Set in an abandoned newspaper building, Cover Story explores the impact of the media on a culture with an insatiable desire to know more. Tap dancers, a griot, town criers, an anchorwoman, baton twirler, bicyclists, and couch potatoes all part of the cast. Written by Terry Wolverton, music by Amy Knoles, and design by Dan Evans.
AfterEden | 2001
Marriott Downtown, Los Angeles
A reconfiguration of the earlier UnderEden, with the hotel site representing a point of transience and transformation. Performed by a magician, skateboarders, yogis, drag queens, exotic dancers, cooks and a mermaid. Written by Terry Wolverton.
UnderEden | 2001
Eden Roc Resort Hotel, South Miami Beach, Florida
Commissioned by Miami Light Project and Dancing in the Streets, this performance moves from a stairway to nowhere, to a dance with senior citizens under a floating ceiling and culminates poolside to live drumming and a firelit raft. A magician serves as guide through a hotel that upholds the illusion that the visitor has landed in paradise. The audience can experience the work as tourist, resident, exile or worker. Written by Terry Wolverton and music by Amy Knoles.
SubVersions | 2000
Subway Terminal Building, Los Angeles, California
Travelling from the outer lobby or the face of the building, through the skin, lungs, stomach, toxins, and finally to the last train of death, this underground maze of tunnels serves as a metaphor for the body, the vehicle for our journey through life. Written by Terry Wolverton with music by JAC Redford and projections by BJ Krivanek.
Locker Rumors | 1999
Valley College, Van Nuys, California
Culver City High School, Culver City, California
Set in a school locker room, Locker Rumors explores adolescent friendships, shared secrets, teenage strategies and relationships. Bob Fernandez’ musical score makes use of locks, metal lockers and water in shower stalls.
Liquid Assets | 1998
California Plaza, Los Angeles
A take on L.A.’s financial district, set in the corporate plaza’s massive fountain/pool. Using themes such as the biblical flood and national recession, a choir sings about the stock market as a virgin is sacrificed on a desk and wrapped in fax paper and red tape. Music by Carla Lucero.
Most Wanted | 1997
Lincoln Heights Jail, Los Angeles
Most Wanted incorporates audience into the performance action in a look at the idea of imprisonment in different levels of our culture. The audience, arriving in sheriff’s vans, is fingerprinted and has their mug shots taken as they watch handcuffed dancers perform in prison cells. Music by Carla Lucero, design by Dan Evans and projections by BJ Krivanek.
Mr. Westinghouse
Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival, Los Angeles| 1996 Dance Kaleidoscope, Los Angeles| 1994
A duet for dancer and refrigerator, accompanied by solo cellist. Music by Harry Gilbert.
Mother Ditch | 1995
Los Angeles River, Los Angeles
Taking place in a river encased in concrete, Mother Ditch holds a sense of entombment, and incorporates a variety of community groups, including Tongva Gabrielino Indians, Harley Davidson Club and gospel choir. Projections by BJ Krivanek.
La Brea Woman | 1995
Ivy Substation, Culver City, California
Based on an original poem by Merridawn Duckler about the discovery of the 9,000 year old woman’s remains in the La Brea Tar Pits, exploring feminist issues in the history of Los Angeles and the relationships of relic to curator, prey to predator. Images included a volcano of high-heeled shoes. Written by Merridawn Ducikler, music by Carla Lucero, and designed by Dan Evans.
Life in the Lap Lane | 1994
Community Pool, Van Nuys, California
Set in an empty swimming pool, with themes of thirst, longing, and hell with, an opera singer on the high dive. Music by Carla Lucero and projections by Dan Evans.
Eye to Eye | 1993
John Anson Ford Theatre, Los Angeles
Performed in response to architect Scott Johnson’s moveable sets. CDT invited four other dance groups to join them in responding to the same structures according to their point of view.
Stealing Home | 1993
Baseball Diamond, Brand Library, Glendale, California
Written by Merridawn Duckler. Performed on a baseball diamond during a game by dancers with lawnmowers. Commissioned by the City of Manhattan Beach for the Manhattan Beach Arts Festival and by Brand Library and Art Center.
Out of Circulation | 1993
Santa Monica Civic Library, Santa Monica, California
A noirish whodunit set in a public library. Music by Carla Lucero. “The case was stacked against her… They never should have booked her.”
Parts and Labor | 1993
Studio Automotive, Studio City, California
Set in a used car lot, dancers perform on roof of an amplified Cadillac while the Antenna Repairmen, a percussion ensemble, drums on hood. Characters include a used car salesman and “oil spills.” Explores America’s love affair with the automobile.
Groomless | 1991
Dance Kaleidoscope, Los Angeles, California
Taking Lady Chatterly’s Lover as inspiration, dancing brides with garden rakes on the roof of California State University, Los Angeles.
Cattle Calls | 1991
Powerhouse Theatre, Santa Monica, California
A “spaghetti western” with phones instead of guns.
Foundations | 1991
Loyola Marymount University, Los Angeles, California
Commissioned by Loyola Marymount. Written by Merridawn Duckler, and with design by Antoinette LaFarge. A look beneath the surface of beauty and fashion, performed in the University's fountain. This work included a relay race with purses and fly fisherman. “It’s hard to separate the girls from the gowns” —Vanna White
Church of Food | 1991
Unitarian Church, Santa Monica, California
Commissioned by the city of Santa Monica. Experiment with incorporating odors and cooking into choreography, set in church, with stove. Duet with baguette down the aisle. Reflects issues of obsession, excess and desire.
