On-site performances can be tricky — intimidating, nerve-wracking, even panic-inducing — for the uninitiated audience member. (Believe me, I’ve seen a lot of site dance, and once watched a woman pounding on the door to be let out because she was so unsettled by the audience participation site work requires.)
So, by all means see Ready at Will Dance Collective’s new work, “Re:Trace.” There’s nothing to fear. It’s entertaining, enlightening, captivating — and there are ushers to guide you through the piece.
Plus, here are 10 helpful hints to enhance your experience as an audience member:
1. You will be walking through the Colonial Warehouse building, which has been renovated, so it’s clean. Still, wear comfortable shoes. And prepare to run, lie down on the floor, or dart back and forth between groups of dancers if you feel so moved — and you will be.
2. Look for cues. Where are the dancers; find them! Where you do think they’ll go next; get out of the way!
3. Sometimes they’ll be very close to you, sometimes in the distance. Don’t be afraid. Just move (and they’ll move around you, too).
4. Watch how they’re interacting with the architecture, the bolts, the pegs in the wall, the stairs, the doors, each other. How does what they’re doing relate to the space they’re in?
5. Go in the bathroom!
6. Get out of the bathroom!
7. Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
8. Speculate on what the maintenance man thinks of all this.
9. Don’t be afraid of the dark.
10. Heartily applaud Erin Drummond, Denise Gagner, Laura Grant, Mandy Herrick, Mary Clare Lindsley and Taja Will. They’re terrific performers and have made a fascinating work.
“Re:Trace,” Friday, Aug. 7, 7 p.m.; Saturday, Aug. 8, 8:30 p.m.; Colonial Warehouse, 212 3rd Ave N., Minneapolis.
