Stories of Spirit and Spirits

Stories of Spirit and Spirits is an evening-length experimental dance and music production featuring the ten members of the improvisation ensemble, soft rocks: dancers Jessie Owens, Danielle Tekut, Julian Barnett, Hanna Satterlee, Nicole Dagesse, and Beth Morelli, and musicians Matt LaRocca, Jeremy Frederick, Kyle Saulnier, and Will Andrews. Guided by chance, faith in their craft, and trust in each other, the group embarks on a cathartic and heartfelt journey as they embody their collected and co-imagined stories. They immerse themselves and the audience in the world/s that they divine, rearrange, and revolutionize over the course of the performance. The collective invites their ghosts and their dreams, as well as their fears and their longings, to weave their stories of deep connection and resistance. Through music and movement, and with the support of structured improvisations, chance methods, costumes, personal mementos, and talismans, they explore myths and archetypes, personal ancestry, shared histories, and experimental social dynamics, as they peer into the bardo and dance with risk, in search of a new kind of togetherness. With the pull of a card or the spin of a bottle, each moment will unfold according to chance, creating alternate timelines and outcomes with every performance. They invite you to join them in their seeking. Stories of Spirit and Spirits has been co-authored by the members of the collective. A work of this depth and scale is possible because of our collaboration and trust. The work was directed and structured by Jessie Owens in relationship with and supported by the entire ensemble. Stories was produced by Jessie Owens and ERGO/movement with masterful support from Hanna Satterlee/ANIMAL Dance. Matt LaRocca is the works’ music director. Costume and set pieces have been co-imagined and co-created by fiber artist Bradie Hanson and soft rocks ensemble member Beth Morelli. Roya Milliard composes light and shadow as spirit elements as the productions’ designer and technician. This project is supported by a 2025 Vermont Arts Council Creation Grant, and is funded in part by New England Foundation for the Arts' New England Dance Fund, with generous support from the Aliad Fund at the Boston Foundation. The creation of this project has been generously sponsored by The First Congregational Church of Burlington. Stories of Spirit and Spirits is an evening-length experimental dance and music production featuring the ten members of the improvisation ensemble, soft rocks: dancers Jessie Owens, Danielle Tekut, Julian Barnett, Hanna Satterlee, Nicole Dagesse, and Beth Morelli, and musicians Matt LaRocca, Jeremy Frederick, Kyle Saulnier, and Will Andrews. Guided by chance, faith in their craft, and trust in each other, the group embarks on a cathartic and heartfelt journey as they embody their collected and co-imagined stories. They immerse themselves and the audience in the world/s that they divine, rearrange, and revolutionize over the course of the performance. The collective invites their ghosts and their dreams, as well as their fears and their longings, to weave their stories of deep connection and resistance. Through music and movement, and with the support of structured improvisations, chance methods, costumes, personal mementos, and talismans, they explore myths and archetypes, personal ancestry, shared histories, and experimental social dynamics, as they peer into the bardo and dance with risk, in search of a new kind of togetherness. With the pull of a card or the spin of a bottle, each moment will unfold according to chance, creating alternate timelines and outcomes with every performance. They invite you to join them in their seeking. Stories of Spirit and Spirits has been co-authored by the members of the collective. A work of this depth and scale is possible because of our collaboration and trust. The work was directed and structured by Jessie Owens in relationship with and supported by the entire ensemble. Stories was produced by Jessie Owens and ERGO/movement with masterful support from Hanna Satterlee/ANIMAL Dance. Matt LaRocca is the works’ music director. Costume and set pieces have been co-imagined and co-created by fiber artist Bradie Hanson and soft rocks ensemble member Beth Morelli. Roya Milliard composes light and shadow as spirit elements as the productions’ designer and technician. This project is supported by a 2025 Vermont Arts Council Creation Grant, and is funded in part by New England Foundation for the Arts' New England Dance Fund, with generous support from the Aliad Fund at the Boston Foundation. The creation of this project has been generously sponsored by The First Congregational Church of Burlington. Show more