Ki’ Shae Qetlah
DIOS, a 45 minute and loosely put, three-act production presented by REYES Dance company, explored memories, experiences, and the innermost thoughts of the Artistic Director Jocelyn Reyes. The work examined rigid religious constructs, abuse, youth, humor, free thought, and the scientific examination of world origin. Frequently dancers moved through the center line of the house which was lit only by cold overhead lights in representation of Sunday Mass, and there seemed to be a struggle between a complete surrender to Holy practice and youthful exuberance even child-like curiosities. This was expressed through the dancers by playful insubordination and vibrant liturgical vestments.
Each “act” moved through space and time, catapulting viewers from Church Mass to L.A., to summers in Mexico and life in the Bay. The choreography evolved from restrictive yet comical gestures into powerful and bold exhibition. Each member of the company took turns depicting different characters within the plot. It was as if a protagonist were sifting through all their most pivotal life moments, deciding along the way, what to keep and what was meant to be left behind.
One moment stood out, though. A duo engaged in a one-sided physical dispute wherein the antagonist mimicked striking the other dancer over and over again. I watched in dismay as the recipient rose and fell until they could not anymore. Following, the dancer knelt facing the wings as a silhouette of another reached out to her and their index fingers met. It was unclear if this being was their inner child or an ancestral being. But whomever it was, they offered solace in times of distress. At other points, the lead would find themselves in a celebration of movement shaking their hips, swaying back and forth, finding themselves only to be reminded that it was more palatable to just fall in line.
Nearing the end, each of the dancers held space in their own spotlight portraying a different instance in the storyline. The protagonist visited each recollection and offered acceptance. In turn, the dancer would join and travel alongside. It almost seemed that this was the story of one person’s journey to find themselves by reconciliation of their opposites. Later a small white basket filled with battery operated candles was passed along in the audience with a hand-written note. Each person removed a candle and continued passing the basket to the person nearest them. In harmony, viewers sat quietly and switched on their candles igniting a collective experience as the room went dark. The audience was left in a stage of introspection.
Ki’ Shae Qetlah is a SF based, multi-disciplinary artist and educator most prominently focused in performance, culinary, and literary arts. Qetlah is particularly driven in non profit and community based work and the emphasis of dance as such a valuable gift to our society.
REYES Dance Finds Harmony In Discord was originally published in ODC.dance.stories on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.