Works in Progress

Bound. verb: to move by leaps; noun: a leap onward or upward; adjective: 1) tied; in bounds 2) destined, sure, certain

Well, the walls of pride are high and wide
Can’t see over to the other side
It’s such a sad thing to see beauty decay
It’s sadder still to feel your heart turn away

- Bob Dylan, Cold Irons Bound

The world of Bound is one full of contrasts- where beautiful moments happen in ugly places and ugly moments happen in beautiful places- where children make playgrounds out of bombed out buildings and teenagers seek solace by climbing high above the fray. Here the edges between freedom and captivity rub up against one another with such friction that the players get burned, constantly trying to stretch the limits of the possible in an effort to escape occupation. This counterpoint between freedom and imprisonment is what lies at the heart of Bound, where survival depends on one’s ability to take flight both literally and figuratively. Fantasy and dream intermingle with reality in Technicolor visions of immortality and freedom. Confronted by war and hatred the players fall down in the face of oppression but continuously get back up. Not so much about the triumph of the human spirit, this new evening length piece examines the sheer adaptability of the human spirit and it’s urge to retain a sense of normalcy in an environment of chaos and impending ruin.

Composed by Palestinian composer/musician Boikutt, this new original score incorporates natural and industrial noises with elements of hip-hop, experimental and ambient music to create a driving and rhythmic urban soundscape. Populated by a fearless ensemble of dancers who scale buildings, brave ledges and paint walls, the world of Bound exists between the mobile planes of an original set design that act as buildings, borders and projection surfaces; as well as the quotidian images of a dinner table or a double bed. The projected imagery of a long distance relationship- inhibited by borders and restricted entirely to the scope of a computer screen- are seen in stark contrast to the live action happening on stage. Other filmed scenes of place texture the topography of the stage and give insight into the emotional experience of the performers.

Created through a unique process that parallels its profound narrative, Bound rehearsals incorporate video and web conferencing to facilitate a cross-continental relationship between choreographer Samar Haddad King and composer/musician Boikutt in the Middle East, and the New York City based dancers of Yaa Samar! Dance Theatre. Separated by time and space, the creative impetus that is Bound transcends both geographic and cultural borders to tell the story of those bound within the histories of political oppression, and who are bound, some day, for freedom.

About the creation of Bound.