Encore Dancers in Elemental at Visceral

Concert form dance is not always inclusive: whereas folk and ethnic traditions of dance include all ages and types, head to a dance concert and you will see thin young people moving athletically around a stage.  Visceral Dance Company is mostly just like that, but forward thinking artists Michelle Meltzer and Braeden Barnes have taken on a project to workshop a group of dancers over 35 (some much older as the oldest dancer is approaching 80) into an evening length performance. They call this group Encore. This offering the past weekend was entitled Elemental and featured short works choreographed by Meltzer and Braden, and a hot jazz number with chairs and boas by Visceral artistic director Nick Pupillo. The styles ranged from contemporary to balletic and the aforementioned jazz with opportunities for a bit of freestyle showmanship.  It was inspiring and I can’t wait to see more!

Older bodies still have much to say and as these dancers moved through Air, Water, Ether and Earth, their messages of beauty were all the more poignant for the lives they have led.  Some of these performers clearly have had a great deal of performing experience and they helmed their almost 30 fellow movers through unison sections that utilized the sweeping stage of the Ann Barzel Theatre picturesquely perched on the shore of the River in Chicago’s Avondale neighborhood.  Each section highlighted the strengths of the individual performers and made for a satisfying evening. 

The crowd was wildly enthusiastic. A little too: the cell phones constantly held up to record the accomplishments of this ensemble were truly distracting and actually prevented me from seeing some of the show.

Finally, a word about the theatre space: as someone of a certain age who regularly has a plus one who is blind and spatially handicapped, I was very glad I went to the show solo: there are almost no handicapped spaces nearby and the streets around this hip loft studio are broken and uneven so a challenge to navigate if you're not nimble.  While the gorgeously designed Visceral Dance Studios are all on one level, the theatre is not, and they were a bit challenged by the number of wheelchairs  that arrived for the show. (Edit: there is a first row on the same level as the rest of the building and if you call ahead they assure me they will make sure there are spaces for you on the flat level) The theatre sits all the way at the back of the space so if you are with someone who has a walker, leave extra time to go the city block long hallway to the entrance to the theatre. Finally, they used red mood lighting to light the house. It was darker than a midnight club.   With no contrast on the stairs to the seats, no floor lighting and the dim overheads, I had to literally feel my way to my seat.  Next time I will remember to bring a flashlight!   As we invite elders into our spaces it is important to envision navigating those spaces with their bodies. What makes for a lovely design is not always accessible. Visceral has opened the stage to the full range of humanity–a bit more intentionality for the vast range of embodiment of audience members can be next.

Visceral Dance will host a one day workshop on September 28, 2025 which seems a way to become involved in Encore.   Elemental was performed at the Anne Barzel Theatre 3121 N Rockwell in Chicago on June 7 and 8, 2025.  For more information go to https://www.visceraldance.com/

Photo by Michelle Reid

For more reviews go to https://www.theatreinchicago.com