Annex Dance Company Presents “A Light In A Window” with Local Actor Evan Parry

Press Release

After a successful Season Opener at Firefly Distillery in September and “Getting There” at the Pearlstine Theatre of Charleston Stage’s West Ashley Theatre Center in December, Annex Dance Company will be re-defining their evening length work “A Light in A Window” on Saturday, April 9th, 2022 at The Magnolia Hall. Formally known as The Schoolhouse, this is the company’s return to the venue, where “A Light in A Window” debuted in April 2018 with local actor Evan Parry.

There will be  performances at 5 pm and 7 pm. Developed as a set score that also uses both dance and theater improvisation techniques, each performance of “A Light in A Window” promises to be unique. The company is offering an advanced ticket sale promotion which includes two tickets for a total of $30. This promotion can be used for two tickets for one performance, or one ticket for each performance. Individual tickets can be purchased for $18. Tickets can be purchased online at tickets.annexdancecompany.org. Tickets purchased at the door will $18.

“A Light in A Window” began as a collaboration between Annex Dance Company’s artistic director Kristin Alexander and actor Evan Parry in the Fall of 2017. Initial conversations led them to inspiration from Abiquiu, a painting by Alexander’s mother in-law, Leslie Alexander.

“I remember the very first time I saw Abiquiu in Leslie’s home and the image stayed with me long after my visit,” Alexander said. “I had thought about using that painting as a springboard for choreography for almost six years. Something about this collaboration felt like the time was right.”

Alexander asked the dancers to write individual stories in response to the painting which prompted the movement and structure of the piece. Now, years later, the creative process is still an investigation of movement and text, from both the past and the present, with the new cast of dancers contributing their own stories.

“A Light in A Window” unfolds with both set choreography and improvisation, providing audiences a unique experience at each performance. The movement is based on prompts such as glimpse, release, leaving; each prompt inspired by the words being spoken by the dancers. With light-based props used throughout the show, light takes on a different meaning as it progresses. Alexander credits Parry for providing theatrical guidance, artistic insight, and a commitment to the practice of contact improvisation that are useful tools for rehearsals and contribute to the impact of this piece.

“From the beginning, we discussed making a work that was ephemeral: never the same twice,” said Parry. “It’s also about point of view, starting with the different points of view of the people in the painting by which we were inspired.”

Annex Dance Company’s associate artistic director, Julie Clark, uses the term “genuine” to describe the overall rehearsal process.

“The movement, words, and themes discovered and shared are all coming from a place of authenticity, allowing us to explore excitement, silence, laughter, and reflection all in one show,” said Clark.

Especially now, Clark describes this performance as, “…an ethereal experience. It has been every time I’ve encountered this piece.” Audience members who choose to see “A Light in A Window” twice might be surprised by the differences between the two performances.

“A Light in A Window” will be performed “in the round” with performers in the center surrounded on all sides by the audience at The Magnolia Hall, located in the popular West Ashley Avondale neighborhood at 720 Magnolia Road, Charleston. The company is documenting the behind-the-scenes process on social media as they revisit and recreate “A Light in A Window.” Patrons can follow the company on Facebook and @AnnexDanceCompany on Instagram.

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