Seattle Dance Collective Continues with The Only Thing You See Now

Seattle Dance Collective is back with the second work for its odds-defying second season of five new works. The first of these, Home by Penny Saunders, premiered on July 2. The second one, The Only Thing You See Now by SeaPertls, premiered online July 9. Making the most of both location and format, The Only Thing You See Now perfectly expresses its origin.  

Seattle Dance Collective

One of the highlights of my summer last year was the debut of Seattle Dance Collective, a new modern ballet company founded by two of my favorite Pacific Northwest Ballet dancers. PNB principals Noelani Pantastico and James Yoichi Moore created Seattle Dance Collective as a small, summer season contemporary ballet company mostly comprising PNB colleagues, but also including two dancers from Whim W’him. They presented one thrilling program at the Vashon Center for the Arts, and promised a new one for 2020.

Continuum – Bridging the Distance

The pandemic started midwinter, when they were still in the early stages of developing Program Two. They were nimble enough to adapt, and shifted away from planning a single live program for one weekend in July. Instead, this year they are presenting Continuum – Bridging the Distance, a virtual program of five new works developed under physical distancing requirements. One new piece will be posted each Thursday in July, free for online viewing.

Each piece was choreographed specifically for this program, with the knowledge that it would be viewed as a video rather than on a stage. Rehearsals took place during the lockdown, so dancers had to work with choreographers via Zoom to learn their parts. Only dancers who were already sheltering in place together would be physically present at rehearsals. At the actual filming, the filmmaker maintained distance and wore a mask to record the performance. In this second performance, the musician maintained vertical distance, perched on signpost above the dancers.  

SeaPertls

SeaPertls is the production team comprising siblings PNB dancer Miles Pertl and visual artist Sydney Pertl. Together they choreograph ballets and curate art shows – often in the same event. I’ve previously seen their work as part of last November’s (was it really less than a year ago?) Locally Sourced program at Pacific Northwest Ballet. With only two ballets to judge from, I already have a strong sense of SeaPertls as a very home-town project. Both pieces celebrate Seattle in both their concept and staging.  

The Only Thing You See Now

Choreography: SeaPertls
Music: Original composition by Jason Webley
Dancers: Miles Pertl and Leah Terada

A duet set against the backdrop of the Seattle waterfront. Staying afloat, making waves.

The second piece in the month-long virtual program, The Only Thing You See Now sees two dancers (Leah Terada and Miles Pertl, both from PNB) on a boat launch at Alki in West Seattle. Downtown Seattle and the Space Needle form the backdrop, and the waves join Jason Webley’s accordion in forming the score. They filmed in the sunless half-light between night and day, so everything has that Ansel Adams wash of gray that defines our region. Light reflected off the buildings downtown, but the only real color comes from the graffiti covered signs on the dock.

Using accordion for the score enhances the playful feeling of the movements, which feature several quirky and unusual lifts. On a stage, this would feel like something that might have played out in the background of the movie Amelie. But the narrow space and the constantly rocking dock create a surprising amount of tension. They really make the most of the instability of their “stage.” You’re never certain whether to see a metaphor for insecurities in a romantic relationship or to anticipate a slapstick splash as a dancer leans too far out over the water. Will that soaring lift turn into a yeet out into the water? Or will he set her down gently on the dock?

Watch The Only Thing You See Now below, on the SDC website, or on Vimeo.

THE ONLY THING YOU SEE NOW by SeaPertls from Seattle Dance Collective on Vimeo.

At almost exactly five minutes, The Only Thing You See Now feels complete, and also too short. I wanted more time to watch the dancers move along dock, maybe hoped to see them reach the solid ground of the beach. But instead, they sail away in a rowboat after the credits. And that’s something you’re never going to see on stage. At least in a ballet created specifically for video, I can always just watch it again. And the behind the scenes video gives some insight into what it’s like dancing on a dock (spoiler alert – the dancers may have also wondered if they were going to end up in the water sometimes).

The Making of THE ONLY THING YOU SEE NOW from Seattle Dance Collective on Vimeo.

{Continuum – Bridging the Distance is free for all viewers, a gift from the artists to the audience during a difficult time. But if you enjoy the program and have the means, please consider donating to Seattle Dance Collective so that the show can go on again next summer.}