Past Performances

by Della Davidson, in collaboration with geologists Louise Kellogg and Dawn Sumner, computer scientists Michael Neff and Oliver Kreylos, and physicist Jim Crutchfield, with text by Ed Gaible

A joint production with the Mondavi Center

From the collapse of the social order in Rwanda, to the twin towers falling and the ice caps melting into the sea, we fear the disintegration of the systems upon which we depend. This unique collaboration between artists and scientists uses computer-generated images in an interactive environment to illustrate how systems fail and patterns reorganize. The piece was commissioned by the Mondavi Center as part of the Creativity Project, a year-long event that celebrates the work and spirit of choreographer Merce Cunningham, who has been in the forefront of using technological systems to explore choreographic ideas.

Della Davidson explores the power of women’s bodies through dance, theater and poetry.

Created and directed by Della Davidson and John Flax
Based on stories by Isabel Allende from The Stories of Eva Luna
Music by Richard Marriott
Costumes by Sandra Woodall
Set by David Moon
Lighting by Jack Carpenter
Videography by Ellen Bromberg
Performers: Jane Schnorrenberg, Kerry Mehling, Eric Kupers, Kegan Marling, John Flax, Rod Harrison, Mona Malec

In A Dream Inside Another actors and dancers come together to stretch the form of North American Theater by infusing it with the magic realism of Latin American literature. Choreographer Della Davidson of Sideshow Physical Theatre at UC Davis, and Artistic Director John Flax of Theater Grottesco, Santa Fe, NM, have created an original dance/theater production that simultaneously tells three of Isabel Allende’s “Stories of Eva Luna”. Dark and unforgiving, sweet and exquisitely touching, the stories' common themes clutch at the heart, lift the soul and bring tears for what we have and what we have lost. Supported by a major grant from The Rockefeller Multi-Arts Production Fund.

Choreographed and Directed by Della Davidson
Text by Kevin Ottem-Fox
Music by Richard Marriott
Costumes by Sandra Woodall
Set by David Moon
Lighting by Michael Oesch
Performers: Jane Schnorrenberg, Kerry Mehling, Melissa Wynn, Eric Kupers, Kegan Marling, Nol Simonse, Sarah Kliban, Mantra Ben Ya’ Akova, Kevin Ottem-fox

The desire to return to the safety of Day is a poetic journey traveling from late afternoon through a long, dark night back to day. A group of travelers, thrown together by a late afternoon storm, journey through a day, reflecting on life’s uncertainties through stories told as children and adults. Tornadoes descend, laws of gravity are defied, the strange and beautiful collide as these travelers reflect on life’s losses and disappointments and the wit it takes to survive.

Choreographed and Directed by Della Davidson
Text by Anne Sexton
Music by Richard Marriott
Costumes by Sandra Woodall
Lighting by David Moon
Set by Jennifer Michelson
Performers: Jane Schnorrenberg, Kerry Mehling, Melissa Wynn, Eric Kupers, Kegan Marling, Nol Simonse, Sarah Kliban, Mantra Ben Ya’ Akova, Kevin Ottem-Fox

The searing poetic vision of Anne Sexton confronts tales from the Brothers Grimm. The charmed and immediate world of childhood, transforms into the mysterious life of the adult. Another time and place where we reside in a dream. Named best modern dance by the Sacramento Bee in 2002.