Stories of Spirit and Spirits is an evening-length experimental dance and music production featuring the ten members of the improvisation ensemble, soft rocks: dancers Jessie Owens, Danielle Tekut, Julian Barnett, Hanna Satterlee, Nicole Dagesse, and Beth Morelli, and musicians Matt LaRocca, Jeremy Frederick, Kyle Saulnier, and Will Andrews.
Guided by chance, faith in their craft, and trust in each other, the group embarks on a cathartic and heartfelt journey as they embody their collected and co-imagined stories. They immerse themselves and the audience in the world/s that they divine, rearrange, and revolutionize over the course of the performance. The collective invites their ghosts and their dreams, as well as their fears and their longings, to weave their stories of deep connection and resistance.
Through music and movement, and with the support of structured improvisations, chance methods, costumes, personal mementos, and talismans, they explore myths and archetypes, personal ancestry, shared histories, and experimental social dynamics, as they peer into the bardo and dance with risk, in search of a new kind of togetherness. With the pull of a card or the spin of a bottle, each moment will unfold according to chance, creating alternate timelines and outcomes with every performance. They invite you to join them in their seeking.
Stories of Spirit and Spirits has been co-authored by the members of the collective. A work of this depth and scale is possible because of our collaboration and trust. The work was directed and structured by Jessie Owens in relationship with and supported by the entire ensemble. Stories was produced by Jessie Owens and ERGO/movement with masterful support from Hanna Satterlee/ANIMAL Dance. Matt LaRocca is the works’ music director.
Costume and set pieces have been co-imagined and co-created by fiber artist Bradie Hanson and soft rocks ensemble member Beth Morelli. Roya Milliard composes light and shadow as spirit elements as the productions’ designer and technician.
June 11-13, 2026 at 7:30pm
+ Matinee on June 13 at 2:30pm
Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center
Burlington, VT
Doors open at 7pm for 7:30pm performances
+ at 2pm for the 2:30pm performance on June 13
Join us for a reception immediately following the performance on June 12.
We can't do this without you! If you'd like to support us further, your donation will help us fund our performances in Burlington in June, as well as our Northern VT performances on July 9th (details coming soon!) and July 10th at The Highland Center for the Arts.