Communications Intern, Annie Muise, recently interviewed Kathy Hassinger, the Artistic Director of Dance Currents, Inc. to learn more about her piece For the Children, choreographed in response to the separation of children from their parents at the border. You can see it at the Festival of Us, You, We, & Them on June 23 at 2:10 Pm in Studio 1!

Q: What is the concept behind your piece For the Children?

The concept behind For the Children is a story – a narrative of a couple looking for their lost child.  It is dedicated to all those forced to flee their homes and face possible separation from their children. Mainly asylum seekers on the border of Mexico and the United States.

Q: What do you think is the relationship between dance and activism?

A: The relationship between social activism and dance was pioneered with The New Dance Group in NYC in the 30’s.  This was the first integrated dance studio and they offered classes in all styles of dance: Modern, Ballet, West African, Indian, Jazz, etc. (like The Dance Complex).  In their composition class, students were charged to create something that was personally and universally important to them (like Climate Change, War, McCarthyism, etc.).  They were asked to put this concern into a dance that is readily understood by the general public, but to make sure it is well crafted and well performed. A number of great choreographers came out of this milieu:  Donald McKayle, Daniel Nagrin, Sophie Maslow, Mary Anthony, Anna Sokolow. The list is long. I am continuing that strain…

Q: What do you hope audience members will take away from this piece?

I hope the audience will arrive at an understanding of themselves, their own losses, fears, and some sense of hope and purpose.

Q: Are there other artists or organizations doing work at the border that are inspiring you and giving you hope that things will improve?

A: Some organizations that are working at the border to help asylum seekers reconnect with their families are:  ACLU, International Rescue Committee, RAICES, Border Angels, Texas Civil Rights Project, Al Otro Lado, Young Center for Immigrant Children’s Rights, and KIND: Kids in Need of Defense.

Q: What are you most looking forward to about the Festival of Us, You, We, & Them?

A: I am really looking forward to see some of my dance friends, see what they are doing and show what Dance Currents is up to.  I’m looking forward to the performance and to the varied activities the Festival has to offer.

Q: How does your class/presentation celebrate dance, movement and all the arts in the spirit of Festival of Us, You, We, & Them?

A: This presentation guides us to be more understanding and to work for an inclusive community, as does the Festival.  Also, as a sanctuary city, Bostonians welcome the world and this gives us a chance to celebrate our diversity.

Learn more about all of the offerings at this year’s Festival of Us, You, We & Them by clicking HERE!