Animalier is a dance theatre piece that ties together animalism, environment and the primal impulse to address the concept of "the human being as animal" with movement inspired by a variety of animal parts (segmented exoskeletons, large wingspans, moist permeable skin, lumbering strength, scaly writhing fluidity, etc.). Animalier draws its rich content from anthropomorphic morality fables, nature documentaries, and ensemble-based improvisation practices. Throughout the choreographic research, we pose the question: "How can we learn about ourselves through the behaviour of animals?"

Originally created as part of a residency at Contemporary Dance Night 2014 in Cairo, Egypt, Philadelphia-based choreographer Megan Mazarick is collaborating with Puerto Rican video designer Les Rivera and a new American cast in an expansion of the work that delves further into creating allegories between man and animal to look deeply into the beast within us all.

Megan Mazarick started dance training at age seven, often taking classes with her mother who is also a dancer. She received both her BFA and MFA in dance (UNCG and Temple University), concentrating on choreography and performance work, and has presented her choreography both internationally and throughout the USA.

Relationship to Art and the Animal

This piece is directly linked to the theme of the festival through movement, imagery, and overall concept, all of which address the idea of human-as-animal-animal-as-human. Working with the dancers, I was able to hone in on specific aspects of human culture through a connection to animals.

The movement of Animalier is inspired by a variety of animal parts and motions that each dancer invokes in their own particular manner. Other moments of this work are derived from animal proverbs, nature documentaries, and ensemble-based improvisation practices. With an eye on the tension, war, conflict, and ongoing miscommunication that happens between humans across the globe, the process of creating this work sought to connect us as a species: to find the commonality between us as animals.