Untellable Movement Theatre’s First Project: Mayflies Digital 2020

Mayflies Digital 2020

In the fall of 2020, Untellable Movement Theatre embarked on its inaugural project, “Mayflies Digital 2020”, a series that encapsulated our mission: making professional dance as accessible as possible.

Inspired by Al Pittman’s poetic work, ‘Dance of the Mayflies,’ this project brought together the talent and dedication of numerous performers to create a unique digital dance experience.

The Concept

“Mayflies Digital 2020” was a series of 50 one-minute digital dances, each released on Instagram starting October 5, 2020. The brevity of these pieces was intentional, making them a digestible and easily consumed introduction to dance.

The metaphor of the mayfly—a creature with a fleeting life—perfectly mirrored the ephemeral nature of each dance. Here for a moment and then gone, these dances leave an impression without requiring a ticket.

Accessibility Through Digital Media

By choosing Instagram as our platform, we aimed to reach a broad audience, breaking down the barriers that often surround professional dance. Each weekday, a new dance was released, inviting viewers to experience the art form in a way that fit seamlessly into their daily lives. This approach not only democratized access to dance but also demonstrated how art can adapt and thrive in the digital age.

The Performers

The success of “Mayflies Digital 2020” was made possible by the incredible performers who brought each one-minute piece to life. Mayflies Artists included:

Amy Chafe
Natalie Hobbs
Hilary Walsh
Mark White
Leslie Pierce
Kevin Woolridge
Lynn Panting
Claire Garland
Jamie Skidmore
Kristen Murray
Sarah Predham
Louise Moyes
Dakshita Jagota
Rohan Dhupar
Keely Whitelaw
Meghan McCabe
Nabila Qureshi
Vanessa Matthews
Philip McDermott
Jenn Edwards
Karen McBride
Elaine Dunphy
Susan Crocker
Colin Furlong
Vanessa Cardoso Whelan
Samantha Ellis
Devanshi Jagota
Robyn Breen
Kate Whelan
Tendai Mudunge
Robyn Sirkin
Hannah Kirby
Victoria Wells-Smith
Drew Berry
Heather Rumancik
Elizabeth Gagnon
Charlotte Fowlow
Erina Tanaka
Colton West
Jayne Batstone
Bonnie Lennox
Catherine Wright
Josh Murphy
Alten Wilmot
Dylan Brentwood
Manon Avoine
Abby LeDrew
Rebecca Kirby

A Special Presentation

To culminate this groundbreaking project, a video compilation of all the Mayfly solos was presented on ArtsNL’s YouTube Channel on December 8th, 2020. This special presentation was made possible by ArtsNL’s ‘Arts in the Time of COVID’ fund, recognizing the importance of keeping the arts alive and accessible during challenging times.

Reflections

Mayflies Digital 2020 is a testament to Untellable Movement Theatre’s commitment to innovation, accessibility, and the transformative power of movement.

In 2022 Mayflies was expanded into a performance series in partnership with Provincial Historic sites.

In 2024 we host our first digital artist in residence and will present our 100th digital Mayflies dance!