Language From the Land

A community creative experience

“There were more than 50 of us from all walks of life ranging from 6 to 83 years old…What a wonderful example to all of us that fresh possibilities emerge when we are open to new opportunities and trust others entirely.”
—Participant from Language From the Land at John Michael Kohler Arts Center

Language From the Land. Photo by John Machtig.

Language From the Land is a creative community residency born out of the people, history, and geography that blend to create “place.” During this experience, a community of diverse participants work with Dance Exchange artists to create a performance built from movement and text drawing on the participants’ personal stories and recollections of the place in which they work, go to school, or make their home.

Language From the Land looks at a place through the lens of history, ecology, and current events. The juxtaposition of personal reflections against the historical or geographic context of a place reveals the elements that intertwine to create the multiple narratives of a single location. The final performance created during a Language From the Land residency is expressive of the rich history and diverse individuals who participate in the project.

Through a series of rehearsals and residency activities, community members will get to know the artists of the Dance Exchange, and utilize their tools for generating and crafting movement, and eliciting stories. By combining these narrative elements the community creates and performs a cohesive final piece.

These residencies seek to engage a broad cross-section of the particular community in which we work. Past participants in Language From the Land residencies include children, students, senior citizens, dancers, actors, musicians, people with disabilities, carpenters, and other local professionals.

By bringing together multiple voices from one community in a collaborative artistic process, these residencies bridge cultural, economic, and generational divides, and often reveal talents previously unknown to friends and neighbors.

Want to bring a Language From the Land experience to your hometown? Email partnerships@danceexchange.org.