Organesis is an ongoing performative narrative by Jenna Balfe investigating human value and fulfillment in this time of overstimulation, overpopulation and perceived emotional scarcity. Through a series of rehearsed movements, improv and live music, performers explore the concept of fulfillment.
This version of Organesis is a snapshot of my worldview. In section 1- “Fishbowl” We explore through movement the concept of seeing the world through a convex eye. Looking through the fishbowl, with a robotic fish swimming around speaks to the overly myopic experience of humans today.
The next section- “Superstar Chicken” plays with the idea of fame. As humans on a macroscopic level we are in community yet also in competition. Even down to the most inane instance, say a conversation or on a more personal level- being in a band with my partner, there are times when we both clamor towards the spotlight. It becomes a matter of how you choose to play. Humor is the rubric for this game.
In “Water Dance” Valeria enters the stage as a vulnerable being, hot off the cosmic press. I enter the stage and offer her an enclosed unit of water. The containment of something so basic in branded, bought and sold plastic is mayhem. Our of chaos comes the dance- a place where we want to offer ourselves but are afraid, we are afraid of the reprucssions of the market economy, of the social media count down. We encounter a plastic fountain and bathe in it’s humour then finally connect.
In “Full” the piece resolves itself, a well deserved sigh after what seems like an endless struggle. A sweet song and a display of the true charachters of the cast to break the fourth wall and rebel against ourselves. As
Movement and Narrative Directed by: Jenna Balfe
Movement in collaboration with Valeria Gonzalez
Music Directed by Dennis Fuller
Musicians: David Bennet, Violet La Guardia
Songs in order of appearance:
Fishbowl- written by Donzii (an unreleased track off their forthcoming album)
Interlude: Dennis Fuller, David Bennet, Violet La Guardia
Superstar Chicken- Jenna Balfe and Dennis Fuller
Ambient Track- David Bennet, Dennis Fuller, Violet
Full- Dennis Fuller, Jenna Balfe, Violet Laguardia
Hair, Makeup and Costumes by : Liz Ferrer
Big thanks to Chandler Jaffe, Misael Soto, Pete Colombo, Flip, El Fuege, Carlo Barbaci, O'neil Barden and Casey Zap who made the original version of Organesis come to life!