4 Short Stories

4 Short Stories is a collection of dance theater performances featuring four Nashville-based creative directors, hosted by found movement group .  Each director’s Story showcases a unique new work.  There are multiple shows January 25-29 (more on specific showtimes below)

My Short Story

OBEY is a co-creative project that explores cultural rules and structures and the effects of unexamined complacency and conformity on those in the margins. 

The original sound score is inspired by and infused with samples from a 1982 cassette tape that is meant to teach children to obey authority figures. The tape encourages binary oppositional thinking: people are good or bad, actions are right or wrong. In our creative process, we question this binary lens by inviting a deeper and more nuanced perspective, brought to form in various—and sometimes contradictory—layers.  

We traverse the from the rigidity of “The Land of Obey” to the reckless rebellion of “Didn’t Land.” Ultimately, we reach the edges of these territories as we begin to venture courageously into the shadowy unknown terrain beyond.

• You can read more about each Story and purchase tickets HERE

Specific Show Dates and Times

Wednesday, January 25

    7:30 pm:  OBEY (Erin Law) & Sentient (Javonté Carney)

Thursday, January 26

    7:30pm :  Rememory (Aaron Allen) & The Silence Has Much to Say (Kourtney French)

Friday, January 27 

    6:30-10:30 pm:  The Anthology- All 4 Shows

Saturday, January 28

    3:00 pm:   The Silence Has Much to Say (Kourtney French) &  Sentient (Javonté Carney)

    8:00 pm:  Rememory (Aaron Allen) & OBEY (Erin Law)

Sunday, January 29

    2:00 pm:  OBEY (Erin Law) & Rememory (Aaron Allen)

    6:00 pm:  The Silence Has Much to Say (Kourtney French) & Sentient (Javonté Carney)

If you are in a position to support this show financially, please consider giving.  While each Creative Director received a small budget, we are looking to further compensate the dance artists who have given so much of themselves to these projects.  Every dollar you give will go directly to supporting these shows.  Please click HERE to give, and feel free to spread the word.

4 Short Stories is made possible by the FOUNDation and found movement group, TMProductions,  as well as the Arts and Business Council.  Graphic by Santikaro Cooper, Photograph by Kailey Sanchez.

Performance Art

The above image by Dan Medley was captured at Dr. Robyn Henderson-Espinoza’s book event celebrating their first publication Activist Theology. Here, Erin collaborated with fellow choreographer Abra Myles along with singer-songwriter Sarah Potenza to co-create a dance work around social healing. While Erin has mostly retired from formal dance-making, they are interested in maintaining a deep connection to the creative process and the potential power performance art has to incite change. This photo shows dancers Rachell Peace and Kelly Ethridge of found movement group on the left and Sarah Potenza singing on the right.

Activist Theology Project

The Activist Theology Project is a collaborative team passionate about committing to the ethics and politics of en conjunto (togetherness).  They are public theologians, justice advocates, politicized healers, and strategy-minded people situated in the hybrid space of church, social change, and the academy. They are a multiplicity of humans who have engaged one another to bridge radical differences. Erin Law serves as the Embodiment Curator for ATP.