In describing the work of German choreographer Pina Bausch, you might hear many terms – like performance art, wild or unresolved. But Telory Arendell, associate professor in the department of theatre and dance at Missouri State University, just calls it inspiring.
She is here to open our eyes to understand these art forms that don’t fit into traditional boxes oftheatreor dance.PinaBausch’s work was in that space between, in what she called dancetheatre.
Arendellis working on a book about Bausch, who had a unique upbringing. Her parents owned a hotel in Germany during the war, and Bausch spent a lot of time underneath the tables in the dining area watching people as they met for dinner or drinks.
One thing thatArendellkeeps going back to in all of her research is that subtext is the most powerful part ofperformance. The staging, the nonverbal – these speak louder than many words.BecauseArendell finds herself at the intersection of dance,theatre, disability studies and the arts, she encourages all who attend performances to not only evaluate what you see on exhibit, she says you have to read between the lines.
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