Inspired by the twenty-somethings of my generation who are old enough to be adults but aren't yet considered grown-ups, this piece integrates dance, spoken word, and projection in order to delve into the inner life of a young woman experiencing a failure to launch during the transition from childhood to adulthood. The projection component creates a context for the character as her shortcomings are revealed with self-deprecating humor. She is costumed in children's clothing that barely fits, giving the impression of being overgrown. The character plays with the idea of giving up, starting something and not seeing it through to fruition, or leaving something too soon because of an attention lapse. Set with impossible physical tasks, the young woman attempts futilely to accomplish them. Projected images reveal snippets of the character’s history: a photograph, an old report card from grade school, and a stats sheet. Eventually coming full circle, she dispenses with her self-defeating attitude and jumps with both feet into the physical puzzles she has been trying to solve, using brute force in trying and trying to achieve these tasks.

Non Starter (14 min.) was performed at Version Excursion's Standing in the Storm at Velocity Dance Center in September, 2014.

Photos: Joe Lambert