Visiting Artist | April 11 – 24, 2023
Are You There God? It’s me, Jules
San Francisco-based choreographer Julie Crothers comes to MANCC for the first time in April 2023, as a maker, after being part of the 2014 MANCC residency with AXIS Dance Company, one of the world’s leading contemporary repertory companies. AXIS features dancers with and without physical disabilities.
During her residency this April at MANCC, Julie Crothers, in collaboration with dramaturg (to be confirmed) and musician Ben Juodvalkis, will develop Are You There God? It’s me, Jules, a rambunctious, cheeky, and only mildly irreverent one-woman show incorporating dance, theater, storytelling, and comedy. Inspired by Julie’s personal experience of growing up in a conservative Christian church in Tennessee, Are You There God? It’s me, Jules is a coming-out story of sorts and a grand celebration of all things bright, bold, and gay. This work follows the structure of a typical church service and introduces many characters: the preacher, god, JC with a wrench, and others – each a personification of the dancer’s queerness and each striving to control the telling of their own story. As the piece progresses, the lines between the characters blur as they transition and morph into and out of Jules, who is learning once again to question, to wonder, and to allow herself to be constantly becoming.
While at MANCC, Crothers, together with dramaturg LAST NAME and musician Juodvalkis, will focus on further developing the various characters and music. While Crothers and Juodvalkis have previously collaborated, this marks the first time that they will be in residence together. Crothers plans to engage with a religious studies scholar while at MANCC, and work with singers and “back-up” dancers. Crothers will also offer a showing of the work-in-progress.
This residency is supported, in part, by the National Endowment for the Arts. Are You There God? It’s me, Jules will premiere at ODC Theatre in San Francisco, June 23 to 25, 2023.
Maggie Allesee
