The Quarry Project Update
August 23, 2020

Over the course of seven weeks from June 17 – July 31, I spend a few hours nearly every day in the quarry, floating on the water, usually with just one person - ensemble members and a few supporters. It was a lovely, lovely time, quietly, slowly circumnavigating the perimeter, talking, listening, grateful for this unique pause in our lives.

Here are more of Michael’s photos taken on his float:

In July, several of the scenes met virtually for the first time to build upon the themes of home, table, band. The table scene talked about what goes on under their tables and I expect to see that underworld creep into their improvisation date in late September when they gather at a very long outdoor table to explore what it means to be “at the table”.

The BED women met in Waterbury on a grassy path next to the Winooski river to improvise on the material from their scene. Here is a clip of their experiments with the choreography under very different circumstances.

On the evening of July 28th, Lukas, Leslie, Drew and myself spent three hours floating in the moonlit quarry, projecting 20 “tiny” films made by the ensemble while sheltering at home, onto three of the massive stone walls. Shem Roose stayed on land and captured these images with his cameras. This material will be used in the 2020 Quarry Project film done by the end of the year. Here is a sample of what Alana’s tiny film looked like, best to view it in a darkened room.

On August 2nd we pulled the stage out and buttoned things up for the year. The following week, I was in a bit of a funk, aware that had it not been for corona, our performances would have started Friday August 7th and tonight would have been our last show.

Several of the ensemble said they were getting reminders on their computers “time to get to the quarry”. Rose had to get rid of her date book because it was too sad to see the time blocked out for something that was not happening.

To soften the sorrow and disappointment, I have started visiting ensemble members outside at their places, taking walks, joining them on their turf, letting conversations unfold. All of us are leaning into this challenge, grieving the loss of what could have been and, at the same time, welcoming what will now blossom in its place.