“Carry On!”

Philadelphia, USA - Asya Zlatina, Artistic Director of Artist House, began the first rehearsal of this piece to develop movement/material for building a larger work for a spring showcase as well as the Fringe Festival. She worked with the dancers to discuss where they were in life, how they felt and what message they wanted to portray. During rehearsal, they played around with a title. They were ready to meet for a second rehearsal, when suddenly they were all shut down because of COVID-19.

When they determined not to let the pandemic deter them, “Carrying On” took a completely different meaning. Now “Carrying On!” is a dance collaboration created during and for the time of COVID-19. It is a response to the anxiety of uncertainty, isolation, economic drain and shut down of arts opportunities. Different from dance on film, it has been formatted to fit boxes on your screen. It is an anthem to the world to CARRY ON, encouragement in times of trouble.