Precipitate

Precipitate is an embodied response to the Flint Water Crisis based on personal experiences of living through the crisis and dealing with the remains of empty water bottles. Community dialogue and movement exchanges between Emma Davis, dancers with University of Michigan-Flint, and members of Vista Center for adults with disabilities lead to the creation of the dance choreography. The process helped to provide opportunities for emotional expression and meaningful reflection in a shared and supportive social environment.

Water is the essence of life. Life begins in water, oceans, lakes, streams, the womb. Veins run through our body carrying oxygen like rivers of the world carry water, life. Yet, our society faces an ever-increasing challenge to produce clean and accessible water. Droughts in California, oil spills in the Gulf of Mexico, and the environmental side effects of mass bottled water consumption. Michigan is no exception, including hydraulic fracturing in the Great Lakes, mass water shut-offs in Detroit, and elevated lead levels in Flint water – all while NASA makes the historic discovery of water on Mars. How might the lack of access to clean water effect our bodies and our lives?

Choreography by Emma Davis in collaboration with Vista Center for adults with disabilities and University of Michigan-Flint dance students. Premiere: University of Michigan-Flint Spring Dance Concert 2016. Additional performance: Vista Center, Flint, MI.

2016. “Flint Water Crisis Inspires portion of UM-Flint Spring Dance Performance.” The Flint Journal.

Choreography: Emma Davis. Lighting Design: Briannah Rench. Costume Design: Shelby Newport. Music: Water Dripping by Priscilla P. Wood; Soothing Water Stream by Mistral Wind; Rushing Stream by SwiftDK; 2 Ghosts by Nine Inch Nails; Dirty Water by Lecrae. Dancers: Frederick Fields, Jameel Gilbert, Dominique Hinde, Shakeda Mitchell, Nataniel Morales, Lydia Parker. Performance: University of Michigan-Flint, Flint, MI Department of Theatre and Dance Spring Dance Concert, April 15, 2016.