XO:
eXquisite Orientation
Choreography and Direction: Randee Paufve
Guest Choreographer: Nol Simonse
Dancers: Randee Paufve, Nol Simonse, Crystaldawn Bell, Anna Greenberg, Rogelio Lopez, Andrew Merrell, Juliana Monin, Karla Quintero, Nadhi Thekkek, Mechelle Tunstall
Dramaturg and Performance Coach: Beth Harris
Lighting Design: Kaveri Seth
Costume Design and construction: Rogelio Lopez
Set Design: Lauren Elder
Composer: Peter Whitehead
XO is anevening-length dance woven from archetypal imagery. A group of tender men and powerful women - Prince, Warrior, Sentinel, Queen, Witch, Mother – perform stories of flawed humanity, rife with love, grief, failure and transformation. XO is a cauldron of gorgeous power, upending and mending; a mythical dance to help us navigate new worlds.
Premiere: September 2017, Joe Goode Performance Annex, San Francisco
Dancer Crystaldawn Bell (pictured above) was nominated for the Isadora Duncan Dance Award, Outstanding Individual Performance, for XO.
VIDEO > XO, highlight reel. Shot by Loren Robertson Productions, edited by Erin Malley. 2018.
Crystaldawn Bell in “XO.” Crystaldawn shuffles to the side of the stage with an arm reaching, her gaze falling on the dancers in the foreground. Dancer: Crystaldawn Bell. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Crystaldawn Bell in “XO.” Crystaldawn holds a twisted hand to her sternum as she processes downstage. Dancer: Crystaldawn Bell. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Juliana Monin crouches in “XO” with the back of her hand against her forehead. A chandelier of feathers and branches hangs overhead, its shadow on the wall behind her. Dancer: Juliana Monin. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Nadhi Thekkek rocks and reaches her arms in “XO.” She is illuminated by golden light. A chandelier of feathers and branches hangs overhead. Dancer: Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Nadhi Thekkek in “XO” in deep bend, extending her arm, hand and focus toward the ground. She is illuminated by golden light and is smiling. Dancer: Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Anna Greenberg and Mechelle Tunstall face Crystaldawn Bell in "XO." Mechelle reaches her fingers and wrists towards Crystaldawn. Dancers: Crystaldawn Bell, Mechelle Tunstall, Anna Greeberg. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Crystaldawn Bell and Mechelle Tunstall lunge and spiral their arms overhead in “XO.” Dancers: Crystaldawn Bell, Mechelle Tunstall. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Crystaldawn Bell and Mechelle Tunstall mid-jump in “XO.” Both dancers whip their arms overhead with their legs stretching long. Dancers: Crystaldawn Bell, Mechelle Tunstall. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Nadhi Thekkek, Karla Quintero, Randee Paufve and Nol Simonse in the final scene of “XO.” A large moon and shadows are behind the dancers. Dancers: Karla Quintero, Nol Simonse, Randee Paufve, Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth
A blurred image of Rogelio Lopez and Andrew Merrell in "XO: East Bay.” Rogelio looks offstage. He holds Andrew around the neck and chest as Andrew falls. Dancers: Rogelio Lopez, Andrew Merrel. Photo: Yvonne Portra.
Randee Paufve and Nol Simonse in “XO.” Nol looks at Randee, holding and pulling her hand. Randee is turned, looking away from Nol with a haunted expression. Dancers: Randee Paufve, Nol Simonse. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Nol Simonse and Randee Paufve in "XO: East Bay." Nol holds Randee’s face and jaw to look inside Randee’s open mouth. Dancers: Randee Paufve. Photo: Yvonne Portra
Nol Simonse and Randee Paufve lay downstage in “XO.” Nol rests a hand on Randee’s hip as they look to the right. “XO” dancers circulate in the background. Dancers: Crystaldawn Bell, Karla Quintero, Juliana Monin, Randee Paufve, Nol Simonse, Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Nol Simonse and Randee Paufve in “XO.” Both dancers have their wrists crossed over their heads and plie with a single foot arched. Dancers: Randee Paufve, Nol Simonse. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Close-up of Crystaldawn Bell in “XO.” Crystaldawn gazes at the audience; one arm is outstretched and the other arm has the elbow crooked. Dancers seated in the background watch her. Dancers: Crystaldawn Bell. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Crystaldawn Bell processes downstage in “XO.” The other dancers surround her, crawling alongside her, like lions. Dancers: Crystaldawn Bell, Rogelio Lopez, Andrew Merrell, Karla Quintero. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Nadhi Thekkek in “XO.” Nadhi rocks forward, reaching her outstretched arms up with a smiling, imploring expression on her face. Dancer: Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Karla Quintero and Nadhi Thekkek in “XO.” Karla holds up a palm to the audience and looks out. Nadhi lunges backwards opening her arms to the ceiling. Dancers: Karla Quintero, Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Mechelle Tunstall, Andrew Merrell and Rogelio Lopez carry an outstretched Juliana Monin overhead in “XO.” Dancers: Juliana Monin, Andrew Merrell, Rogelio Lopez, Mechelle Tunstall. Photo: Kaveri Seth
“XO” dancers fill the stage, spinning in different directions with arms outstretched. Dancers: Andrew Merrell, Juliana Monin, Anna Greenberg, Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Anna Greenberg turns to face the audience in “XO.” Her red skirt swirls around her and her expression is intent. Dancer: Anna Greenberg. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Mechelle Tunstall in “XO.” Mechelle draws an elbow back as she gazes offstage. A chandelier of feathers and branches hangs behind her. Dancer: Mechelle Tunstall. Photo: Kaveri Seth
A close-up of Anna Greenberg reaching her arm and focus up towards the sky in “XO." Dancer: Anna Greenberg. Photo: Kaveri Seth
A close-up of Anna Greenberg in “XO.” She crouches and beckons with one hand in the dark. Her face and arm are illuminated. Dancer: Anna Greenberg. Photo: Kaveri Seth
A chandelier of falling feathers and tornadic branches created by Lauren Elder for “XO,” hangs over the stage. Lighting Designer and photographer Kaveri Seth walks underneath it, heading offstage. Lighting Designer/Photographer: Kaveri Seth. Set: Lauren Elder
Juliana Monin braces on one knee and foot in “XO.” She looks up with shoulders raised, an arm outstretched and the other hand balled into a fist. A chandelier of feathers and branches hangs overhead. Dancer: Juliana Monin. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Karla Quintero mid-jump in “XO.” Karla’s leg flies behind her as her arms open straight to the side. Karla looks up on a diagonal. Dancer: Karla Quintero. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Karla Quintero and Nadhi Thekkek in “XO.” Karla’s arms reach overhead as she inclines forward, mid-fall. Nadhi reaches a hand up and a hand down as she stamps her foot. Dancers: Karla Quintero, Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth
Nadhi Thekkek in deep bend in “XO.” Nadhi holds her hands palms up under her heart and gazes over her shoulder. A chandelier of feathers and branches hangs overhead. Dancer: Nadhi Thekkek. Photo: Kaveri Seth