I have gone back and forth about having a cast and if I do how many for a while now. I was hesitant because it makes me nervous to bring people into something that feels like the beginnings of a galaxy – the materials are all there but the stars haven’t formed yet.

In the end, I decided I don’t want to be in it unless I absolutely have to. I haven’t been outside of my own work before and it feels important to really be able to see what’s happening on the outside for this. At first, I thought I would only want two dancers because it is the most convenient with the current COVID restrictions since we can only have two dancers at a time with us in B3. Two people seemed reasonable but not particularly interesting to me, especially because I wasn’t very committed to the idea of a duet. I felt a little skeptical and excited about the prospect of an audition even though I didn’t realize at the time how helpful it would be.

Catherine, Kiara, and I organized a zoom audition for our pieces. Catherine and I each prepared three eight counts of movement to teach and split the time in order to be able to see our ideas on everyone. I created my eight counts based on an improvisation I did in the studio having fun, sinking into the style that I enjoy doing, and plan on having in my work.

Catherine led an improvisational warm-up that was followed by my segment, then hers. Afterward, we opened the floor to the participants for any questions. We recorded the audition because it is really difficult to watch multiple people at a time for long enough on Zoom. I felt really compelled to expand my cast to four afterward. All 10 dancers who came for the audition were incredible and thinking about working with four moving bodies made me even more excited. It was so helpful seeing the dancers working with some of my movement. It gave me an idea of how they could sink into what I was asking of them and also let me see a little of who they are as movers.

Catherine and I had a follow-up call to discuss who we were interested in, in case there was a lot of overlap. After talking it out, we each wrote emails to the people we wanted to cast and sent them out. Three of the people were able to commit by the weekend. I experienced a little turmoil trying to find a fourth person, but was very happily able to fill the spot after a few days.

My final cast is Ella Ammann-Bianciardi, Jenny Huang, Lucy Ducharme, and Nicky Consales.