Scary Dance Pieces to Get You in the Halloween Spirit
By Madison Huizinga, DWC Blog Editor
Whether it’s curling up to watch your favorite horror movie or tip-toeing through an eerie haunted house, Halloween is one of the only times of the year when people choose to get scared! There’s something about the rain clouds rolling in and the chill that falls in the air that makes people enthusiastic about spooks. For dancers that are passionate about the spooky season, we’ve curated a list of the most chilling dance pieces to get you into the holiday spirit.
“Dark Matters,” Kidd Pivot, choreography by Crystal Pite
In “Dark Matters,” the incomparable Crystal Pite showcases chilling choreography on her company Kidd Pivot. The work features a dancer being attacked by a puppet controlled by several shadow figures. The piece turns quite meta, as the person’s body is dragged away and his home is dismantled, with the words “THIS IS FAKE” projected across the stage. Lights flash, shadows are cast, and bodies move with creepy contours.
“Double Murder - Clowns,” choreography by Hofesh Schecter
CONTENT WARNING: IMAGES OF GUNS
“Clowns” is a part of the double bill, Double Murder, choreographed by the renowned Hofesh Schecter. Images of clowns are certainly evoked, from the billowy costumes, the bouncing motions, and the circus-esque atmosphere. Yet, there is something on edge about the movements, with shaking and flailing adding an eeriness to it all. It feels as though you’re peeping in on the inner workings of a cult of ex-clowns.
“The Hospital,” Quest Crew
Quest Crew’s “The Hospital” fittingly takes place in an eerie hospital, full of scares and creeps around every corner. Piercing music plays as a brooding nurse storms through decrepit halls. The patients swing axes and ramble nonsensically as the camera pans into each room of the hospital. The crew of doctors at the end showcases remarkable, gravity-defying breaking moves. With a surprise twist ending, this dance piece is undoubtedly not worth missing.
“The Rite of Spring,” choreography by Pina Bausch
Pina Bausch’s “The Rite of Spring” is a thriller through and through. Expertly blending frantic gestures with smooth lines, all kinds of energy flows through the piece to draw viewers in. Dancers flail about, throw harsh stares, and engage in jerking gestures, often in large clusters and circles, alluding to cult-like motifs. The chilling nature of the dancers’ movements and facial expressions, paired with the heart-pounding orchestral music makes the whole piece rather unnerving, perfect to watch during this time of the year. Click the link above to view behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage of “The Rite of Spring,” or this link to see an excerpt.
“Creature” (Because of What You Have Done) by Akram Khan
Finally, “Creature” by Akram Kahn conveys thriller-like qualities as well, but in a rather different form than “The Rite of Spring.” Stumbling around to a warped recording of Richard Nixon’s 1969 speech to the Apollo 11 astronauts, performer Jeffrey Cirio’s character appears in a sort of psychological prison. Timed with Nixon’s words, Cirio moves in slow motion and then snaps into jittery upright motions, mouthing the words and pulling at his jaw. The whole piece contains unsettling and evocative qualities fit for the scary season.
Who said dance can’t be spooky? Take a break from your trick-or-treating, horror movie binging, and candy-eating to check out these scary dance pieces. They’re sure to get you in the Halloween spirit!
