un/tethered
un/tethered is a performance trilogy exploring interdependence composed of three distinct parts: alone, mother, and together. Each of these pieces will premiere in Denver & NYC over the course of 2024-2025, culminating in a durational, epic trilogy in 2026.
un/tethered is inspired by the work of prolific environmental scientists, eco-psychologists, indigenous communities, activists, writers, and others, and marries high quality performing arts with participation -- tasks incorporating environmental and psychological reflection, expression, and ritual. This partnership transforms the audience from removed spectator to empathetic participant. un/tethered is HOLDTIGHT’s most sustainable production to date, incorporating natural elements such as food-scrap dyed set pieces and costumes, reclaimed set materials and more. This piece has been developed with support from the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, Denver Arts and Venues, Denver Theater District, Denver Performing Arts Complex, CreateArt, and Carroll Hall.
alone : un/tethered
alone, the inaugural section of un/tethered, is a show about the miracles that arise when trying to hold seemingly contradictory concepts: magic vs logic, science vs story, nature vs human, alone vs together. Using dance, original live music, personal narrative with immersive and participatory elements, the audience explores how we are inextricably linked to each other and to the earth, even when we feel most alone. Beginning as a solo and ending with the collective, this piece challenges the concept of isolation and individuality, suggesting an ever-present, albeit invisible, connection to the larger world.
On December 5-7, 2024, alone : un/tethered will make it’s world premiere at the Byron Theatre at the Newman Center of the Performing Arts in Denver, CO, with support and co-presentation by the Newman Center Presents Series, as well as support from the Denver Theater District.
Early iterations & works-in-process of alone were developed with support by CreateART and Carroll Hall. HOLDTIGHT Company was Artist-in-Residence with CreateART May through August 2023.
Cast & Collaborators for December 2024 Premiere:
Direction, Concept, Choreography & Performance: Gwendolyn Gussman
Sound Design & Live Musical Performance: Nicholas Caputo
Set Design: Maki Teshima
Lighting Design & Production Management: Alex Taylor
Stage Manager: Emma Kimball
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Carroll Hall Cast & Collaborators:
Direction, Concept, Choreography & Performance: Gwendolyn Gussman
Musical Direction, Composer & Performance: Daniel Weidlein
Lighting Design, Production Management, & Creative Collaboration: Alex Taylor
“Part dance, part visceral immersive theater, the performance explores the tension between being alone and being together.”
— Toni Tresca, Westword
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alone : un/tethered:
together : un/tethered
together explores our ties to the world and each other. These tethers connect us, but can be altered, cut and reconnected. Weaving movement, live and original music, immersive theater, personal narrative, visual arts and participation, the audience is taken on an evocative journey to celebrate grief and joy.
together : un/tethered made its World Premiere in April 2024 at The Studio Loft at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Arts Complex in Denver, Colorado with the support of Denver Arts & Venues.
together : un/tethered Cast & Collaborators:
Direction, Concept, & Performance: Gwendolyn Gussman
Musical Direction, Sound Designer, Composer & Performance: Daniel Weidlein
Set Design, Installation & Creative Collaboration: Maki Teshima
Lighting Design, Production Management, & Creative Collaboration: Alex Taylor
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Divya Maus
Creative Collaborator & Performance: Xenia Mansour
Creative Collaborator & Performance: Nico Gonzales
Creative Collaborator & Performance: Xochitl Portillo
Creative Collaborator & Performance: Bailey Harper
Stage Manager: Emma Kimball
“While the artistry and talent present in this show is high quality, what most impressed me was the powerful commitment to the audience.”
— Alex Miller, Onstage Colorado
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together : un/tethered:
mother : un/tethered
mother explores motherhood as both verb and noun, connecting nurturing with our collective responsibility to care for the Earth. Why is it that so many of us have a fraught relationship with our mothers, and how does this inform how we treat the earth and living beings around us? This piece prompts both the cast and audience to answer, “When I Think About My Mother...” in terms of familial mother, inner mother, archetypal mother, and mother Earth.
Challenging the limiting and traditional norms of patriarchy and capitalism, this piece urges humanity to embrace and explore the feminine within all of us, thus transforming our relationship with both our mothers and the earth into one of more reciprocity and less exploitation.
Through stirring and visceral movement, avant-garde vocalization, and personal narrative, the cast and audience reflects on caregiving's parallels with environmental stewardship, and pathways to move forward with more expression and less repression.
mother : un/tethered has been developed with support by CreateART and Carroll Hall. HOLDTIGHT Company was Artist-in-Residence with CreateART May through August 2023.
mother : un/tethered Cast & Collaborators from Carroll Hall residency:
Direction, Concept, & Performance: Gwendolyn Gussman
Musical Direction, Sound Designer, Composer & Performance: Daniel Weidlein
Lighting Design, Production Management, & Creative Collaboration: Alex Taylor
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Divya Maus
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Amanda Wallace
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Claire Westby
Creative Collaboration & Performance: Dervla Carey-Jones
