During the pandemic, a flock of dancers and artists entered the world of the birds. In a creative study over two years, they explored the question, “how do we embody birds?” 

The exploration was part of an Audubon Artist in Residence with Sarah Bush Dance Project, an LGBTQIA-led company that is known for award-winning intergenerational dance theater performances.

In the first year of study, the dancers gathered on ZOOM each week to practice mindful bird sits, explore bird ecology with the seasons, and develop bird-inspired movement.

GRACEFUL FLY BY

SARAH BUSH

The dancers explored themes around migration, nesting, cracking open, juveniles, taking flight, murmurations, and finding stillness. 

Each dancer chose a favorite bird to embody, including the Western Meadowlark, Nuttall’s Woodpecker, Dark-eyed Junco, Red-Shouldered Hawk, American Crow, Cardinal, Snowy, Egret, Black-necked Stilt, and Cedar Waxwing.

In the second year, an incredible cadre of 20 artists joined this flock, including fashion designers, sound composers, animators, film producers, and drag makeup artists. 

Together, we created spectacular bird dance films, art, and nature-based performances.

RISA OFELIA DIAZ

KJ DAHLAW

 

FRANCES TEVES SEDAYOU

 

EXPLORATIONS

MOVEMENT MURMURATION

 

 

 

EXTENDING TO NEW LIFE

 

CRACK OPEN

MOMENT BEFORE LEAVING THE NEST

 

FINDING STILLNESS

BIRDY DANCE MOVES FOR PRIDE