THREE, TWO, ONE, GO... to theWinspearOperaHouse!


by LynneRichardson program, that’swhat! W


IraGlass, host of the popular ThisAmerican Life series, broadcast everyweekend onKERA90.1, our local Public radio station, has collaboratedwith two female dancers ofMonicaBillBarnes& Company ofNewYork, to create ThreeActs, TwoDancers,OneRadio Host. The result has been described as, “a funny, lively and heartfelt evening of dance and stories that has brought down the housewherever it’s been performed.”


Currently touring the countrywith stops at Jacob’s PillowDance Festival inBecket,MAandAmericanDance Festival inDurham, NC, the show(in three acts) features stories performed byMonica BillBarnes andAnnaBass (two dancers), as told byGlass (the radio host) at themicrophone.Glass’ radio interviews are restaged as dance pieces, plus stories fromthe lives of each of the three per- formers.ActOne is about the job of being a performer;Act Two, about falling in love andwhat itmeans to stay in love;Act Three…well, nothing lasts forever.


“Whatmakes itwork is a shared sensibility,”Glass says. “As


dancers,Monica andAnna are these amazingly relatable and funny storytellerswithoutwords.”


He told TheNewYork Times that he identified a sharedDNAwith the dancerswork—an unabashed desire to entertain, pairedwith a drive to document the genuine feelings and awkwardmoments of life.


The performance fits right inwith the statedmission ofBarnes’ dance company: “to celebrate individuality, humor and the innate theatricality of everyday life.” She is also committed to bringing dance to diverse audiences through innovative projects, such as this, which expand the possibilities for dance.


“Iwant tomake something that’s hard to define; that blends things that aren’t usually blended and reaches an audience outside of a typical dance audience,”Ms.BillBarnes told TheNewYork Times.


Pictured:AnnaBass, IraGlass andMonicaBillBarnes. Photo:DavidBazemore


AnnaBass is the associateArtisticDirector of the company and per- forms alongsideBarnes in their presentations,whichmix off-beat sexuality, candor and humor.


The dancers talked about their artistic approach in an interviewdur- ing their tour: “Humor is important. To be an artist you need a sense of humor!Also, it’s howwe can judge howan audience is fol- lowing.Whatwe do is create a familiaritywith the audience, show- ing thatwe’re not so different,” saysBass.


Bill-Barnes expands, “We, in front of the bright lights, are also stumbling or losing an earring,which allows the audience to have a more vested interest inwhat’s happening. I hope they laugh because they’re empathizing, rather than laughingAT us.”


IraGlass has specialized in people’s quirky behaviors and life’s prat- falls in the stories he relates on his long-running radio show, This American Life,whichwas brought to television by Showtime in 2007, after being dropped by long-time presenterNational Public Radio.Although still heard nationally onmany local Public Broadcasting stations,Glasswas inspired to look for different avenues to expand audiences for his one-of-a kind show.


“When I first sawMonicaBillBarnes andCompany perform, I knewIwanted to see it again and again. I created (this show) to giveme an excuse to showother peoplewhat I saw. I’mhaving the most fun ofmy career.”


If youmiss the showinDallas, itwill arrive inAustin later in the year. Formore information, attpac.org. For#thinkspeak series tickets, call 214-880-0202.


Pictured:MonicaBillBarnes, IraGlass andAnnaBass. Photo:DavidBazemore page 12


May-July 2015 www.thedancecouncil.org


LynneRichardson is a devoted dance aficionado and advocate for the artswho enjoyswriting aboutwhat she loves.


DANCE!NORTHTEXAS a publication of the dance council of north texas vol 18 • no 2


hatwill happenwhen ThreeActs, TwoDancers andOneRadio Host take the stage atATT-PAC’sWinspearOperaHouse July 11th?An unexpected, entertaining and fascinating


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