Collaboration is at the heart of “Tsedaye Makonnen: Refuge used to live among the Hoosic River and the White Oak Trees.”
@rozcrews of WCMA writes in the publication commemorating the project (which will be sold at the performance Saturday at 4 p.m. at The Clark, with all proceeds benefitting the
@berkshireimmigrantcenter ): “As curator of this extraordinary project, I’ve had the great pleasure to co-conspire with Tsedaye and Sandra (Burton), building a culture and community around this work. We’ve collectively led rehearsals and discussions with students, modeling the practical and intellectual value in working better together.”
This project would not be possible without the dedication of many colleagues and partners at
@williamscollege and
@clarkart ; a full list is included in the publication and on the WCMA website. We offer special thanks to Caroline Fowler and Will Schmenner at The Clark, Kyle Yager of the
@williamsdancedept , and our Williams students, who have spent countless hours coordinating with us.
As
@tsedaye herself says in an interview in the publication, “The collaborative element of working together is so important for the students and also for us. Participating in the performing arts and performance art teaches you how to be a good collaborator. That, I think, is one of the best and most important skills. … When we finally came together as a group in February, we moved as one, and that was reflected in how the students treated each other. When a new student joined, they were invited in immediately: there was no weirdness or awkwardness. I think that speaks to the energy we all carry in this project. We were, and continue to be, on the same playing field, and I hope that’s been the experience for everyone here.”
Enjoy these photos and videos of the collaborators throughout the process 😊💙
#wcma #williamscollege #tsedayemakonnen #astralsea #dance #collaboration
