SPENCER JAMES WEIDIE CHOREOGRAPHYEverything is Both (2022)
Developed through conversations on the contradicting nature of reality, Everything is Both is an invitation to universal acceptance. Acceptance of all that can be defined as positive or negative, black or white, good or evil, masculine or feminine, real or fake. When we are accepting of ourselves, we embrace every other part of reality.
Spencer uses the fourth wall to reenact a childhood memory — sneaking into their mother’s closet and trying on different articles of clothing. A gender and life affirming process laid bare before an audience set to a wide ranging msuical score.
Everything is Both was created with the support of Arts on Site NYC. Thank you to Jessica Smith and Chelsea Ainsworth for presenting this work.
Length: 20 Minutes
Performers: 1
World Premiere: Arts on Site - NYC / October 2021
Costume Design: Spencer James Weidie
Lighting Concept/Design: Spencer James Weidie/Jessica Smith
Music: Las Tres Abejas, Machinefabriek, respectfulchild, Village People and Linda Eder
Memory 19 (2019)
"How do you remember it all? Is it all just a story we continually tell ourselves? Can I honor all of the past versions of me?"
Memory 19 is a monument to the queer community. Set to the beloved queer anthem “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” sung by Judy Garland, Spencer transports us to a world where self acceptance and peace are in perfect harmony with the complex emotions of being queer in the world. The song begs us to remember a time when dreaming about the world was all we had. The piece challenges us to embrace our younger self while honoring the journey we have decided to embark on.
Memory 19 was chosen to be showcased in the Future of Dance Festival 2023 and was awarded the Audience Award and residency as a part of Spoke the Hub's Solo Fancy Showcase in 2019.
The Ways and Means (2019)
The Ways and Means began as a work-in-progress for two dancers and an actor. How do dancers become actors and actors become dancers? The commonality of our crafts is movement and The Ways and Means is about designing a movement story between these three individuals. Inspired also in part by poems written by Spencer James Weidie, the trio merges pedestrian movement with classical and modern techniques to reveal the action of hope.
The Ways and Means was created in residency as a part of Chen Dance Center's "New Steps Series."
Length: 8 Minutes
Performers: 3
World Premiere: Chen Dance Center's "New Steps" - NYC / April 2019
Costume Design: Spencer James Weidie
Lighting Concept/Design: Spencer James Weidie
Music: Philip Glass, Robert Schumann, Barbara Streisand
Boring Angel (2017)
"The Angels have nights like the human night.
There is in Heaven itself a pure fountain;
Brilliant water runs there over vermilion sand.
When an Angel draws it, he sleeps, but with a sleep
Such as the most beloved of lovers on earth
Would not want to leave its solitary charm,
Not even to see sleeping next to him
The beauty whose head has his arm for support.
But in vain Eloa drank from its wave,
Her worried pain was deeper;
And always in the night a dream showed him
An unhappy Angel imploring him from afar."
- Eloa by Alfred de Vigny
Based on the French poem, "Eloa" by Alfred de Vigny, Boring Angel visualizes a new story of fallen angels. The work is also an exercise in audience engagement, through colorful projections and dynamic spatial patterns.
Length: 19 Minutes
Performers: 10
World Premiere: Dance Theater Lab at Purchase College, SUNY / February 2017
Costume Design: Spencer James Weidie
Lighting/ Video Design: Spencer James Weidie
Music: Oneohtrix Point Never