Chicago Danztheatre Ensemble

Human Voice:

“The Human Voice”, December 8 – 10, 2006 at Links Hall tackles issues that are sidetracked in everyday life, including eating disorders, sexual assault, suicide, and post-traumatic stress disorder, while raising money for Christopher House.

The series was inspired by the performance of Unraveling Bill, which premiered in February 2006 during CDE’s Full Circle Danztheatre Festival. Opening the show, the piece uses narrative, visual media and dance to tell the story of a woman whose brother commits suicide after returning from the war in Iraq. This true story delves into how suicide affects a family and the reflections of war on a soldier. Devoted to arousing compassion, educating, and raising consciousness, CDE company members Masha Balovlenkov, Allyson Esposito, Lauren Parets, Helen Lee and Leah Raffanti have joined the ranks to present world premiere choreography. To further engage audiences, CDE will host a post-performance discussion with local professionals and activists. Current participants include Dr. Pamela Brand, psychologist; Candice Rai, PHD Candidate in English & Community Activism; Deidre Searcy, Chicago International Children’s Film Festival, Ali Khan, American Muslim Cultural Foundation, and Joseph Fedorko, Amnesty International.

Continuing in the spirit of collaboration, CDE joined forces with the Chicago International Children’s Film Festival to present three films during the performance. Imagine by Mason Shefa, from the US, serves as a friendly reminder that the first step in achieving a peaceful world is to simply "imagine it." I Want to Be a Pilot by Diego Quemada-Diez, from Spain, tells the story of Omondi who lives in the slums of East Africa. Everyday as he watches the airplanes fly overhead, he dreams of becoming a pilot and flying far away. Alice or Life in Black and White, by Sophie Schoukens, from Belgium, uses the transitions from color to black and white to share the struggle of a young girl grappling with bulimia.

Back