A blog from awesome performing arts intern Rachel about her chance to participate in Wally Cardona’s work-in-progress showing of Really Real on June 6. Watch video of the Really Real rehearsal at our You Tube page.

Wally’s world consists of no more and no less than reality; the raw reality of the human form and all of its phenomena. The title of Wally Cardona’s new work-in-progress is a reflection of that world. Really Real is currently an 80 minute work created for a core group of 6 dancers. When premiered at the Festival of Arts & Ideas in its final form, Really Real will also feature 30 to 40 local performers from the community, dancers and non-dancers alike.

Due to the lack of “human resources�, the number of community dancers participating in the showing of Really Real as a work-in-progress, was very limited. Being an intern here at MASS  MoCA, and someone who has danced for years, I was very excited to be given the opportunity to work with Wally on his new piece. Advertised as simple “movers� I did not know what to expect going into the first rehearsal. The first day, we all gathered together on  stage of the Hunter Center and waited for an instruction. After greeting us warmly, Wally simply said “Stand up.� Not hesitating, we all stood up, looked at him, and waited for further instructions. He simply said, “Now sit down, good; okay now stand up.� We continued these movements for quite a few minutes while Wally told us to isolate our body and really focus on the mechanics of how we move. As time progressed, we then expanded to being aware of the others surrounding us. While keeping our own identities our movements were shaped and transformed based on others. This exercise provoked thoughts of one’s identity. It made me think of how others movements personally affected mine and how just the awareness of my movements shaped and contorted them. To me, this exorcise was a stunningly accurate portrayal of life and the connection one has between others.

This seemingly trivial exercise helped tie into the overall theme of the piece. Throughout Really Real, one is focused on the true make up of their identity, while being aware of others around you. This, in turn, helps to shape your identity and movements. Many of the scenes that we were incorporated in involved simple but intricately timed movements based on cues from other people. Some consisted of just facing the audience trying to convey a message of understanding, while choreography was going on around you.

This experience not only allowed me personally to meet many people within the community that shared the same interest as I, but also intimately see the creative process of the renowned Wally Cardona.

Working with Wally as a community member in his piece was very enjoyable. He made sure that every movement, no matter how simple, was explained thoroughly as to how it affects the overall theme of the piece and really appreciated the time and effort put in by the volunteer dancers. Although a work-in-progress, the artistic vision of Really Real that of the connections and emotions between people, was easily conveyed. As a finished work, Really Real will be a raw, thematic, and thought provoking piece, and I look forward to seeing the finished production. Really Real will eventually feature a simultaneous live performance of a score written by Phil Kline and showcased by the Brooklyn Youth Chorus. Cardona’s finished work will premier at the International Festival of Arts & Ideas on June 20th and 21st.

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