I also returned to the use of fictional projected text for This Is What Happened, in contrast to the non-fictional text I began employing with Not-About-AIDS-Dance (1994). The text, just six lines, commented on the dance events:
This is what happened.
Don’t believe her, she’s lying.
He guesses his future.
Something is happening to her.
Flashback.
Back to the present.
My goal with these phrases was to open my process to the audience, in effect engage the viewer in what may be my ultimate question when taking in a dance (or any work of art) - what exactly is happening here? As an example: When I slowly eased my tank top strap off my shoulder, back to the audience, and the audience read the projection “He guesses his future,” I hoped that multiple interpretations and a range of feelings might be made possible. The options and choices of interpretation are what interested me.
Premiered at Performance Space 122, NYC in April, 1999.
Credits
Choreography and Text: Neil Greenberg
Performed by: Neil Greenberg, Justine Lynch, Paige Martin
Music: Bernard Herrmann, excerpts from film scores including The Man Who Knew Too Much, Torn Curtain, Marnie, Vertigo, Psycho
Music Remixes: Zeena Parkins & Elliott Sharp
Lighting Design: Michael Stiller
Costumes: The Company
Tailor: Tina Schenk
Projection Design: John Masterson
Stage Manager: Andy Russ
Bernard Herrmann’s music used with the kind permission of John Waxman.
Videotaped at P.S. 122 on May 7, 1999.
Video Recording: Character Generators, Inc.
Cameraperson: Mark Robison
Post-Production: Meg Hanley, Studio 4J LLC
Support
Commissioned by Painted Bride Art Center with funds from the Pennsylvania Arts Council
New York State Council on the Arts
Foundation for Contemporary Performance Arts
Harkness Foundation for Dance
Press
Jack Anderson, New York Times 1999
Deborah Jowitt, Village Voice, 1999
Merilyn Jackson, Philadelphia Inquirer, 1999
Don Daniels, Ballet Review, 1999
Chris Pasles, Los Angeles Times, 2000
Sara Wolf, LA Weekly, 2000
Jennifer Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 2000
Jennifer Dunning, New York Times, 2000
Henry Baumgartner, New York Dance Fax, 2000
Additional Links
Excerpts from This Is What Happened
Neil Greenberg
© Dona Ann McAdams
L-R: Justine Lynch, Neil Greenberg
© Dona Ann McAdams
L-R: Paige Martin, Neil Greenberg, Justine Lynch
© Johan Elbers, 1999 Studio Shot
L-R: Paige Martin, Justine Lynch, Neil Greenberg
© Johan Elbers, 1999 Studio Shot
Neil Greenberg
© Johan Elbers, 1999 Studio Shot