The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1

Please join us at Riverdale Presbyterian Church this Saturday, June 15th at 11am + 5pm

Address: 4765 Henry Hudson Pkwy W, Bronx, NY 10471

Ticketing Link for Sat, June 15th:

Saturday, June 15th at 11am

Saturday, June 15th at 5pm

The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1 is a critical reflection of the joys and challenges of being a mother and working artist. It is a piece for five dance artists (Ching-I Chang, Caroline Fermin, Cori Kresge, Matilda Sakamoto and me) as well as my toddler and husband and the toddler, newborn and husband of Caroline Fermin who all work together to perform the piece. Devotion is laced throughout the work in how we engage with our children and how we continue to return to the steps we’ve laid out for ourselves. 

This piece embraces chaos as choreographic material. Equal parts concept and practicality, it is a demand that I not be forced to choose between motherhood and an art career; that children and the messiness of young life be enfolded into art making. This dance offers one portrait of feminism as my life requires it.

I made this dance to honor this chapter of motherhood/ childhood. It is my love letter to my beautiful child and also to all the loving parents trying to give everything to their children while holding on to an essential part of themselves. 

The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1 was developed in part during a Baryshnikov Arts Residency (BAC Open) at Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York, NY in Oct-Nov 2023. In addition, this project is made possible with funds from the Bronx Cultural Visions Fund, a regrant program of the Bronx Council on the Arts. This piece is fleeting and will disappear as the children involved grow and change. Having the support and opportunities to make and share this work quickly has made this joyful and heart-filling experience possible.

Welcoming note for parents: This is a come-as-you-are performance experience. If your child starts screaming or crying or needs a diaper change during the show, we invite you to stay in the space. They will join the element of chaos in the piece. We will have an area for diaper changes. There will be a free, short creative movement class following each show for kids (and playful adults)!

About the work:

The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1, is a critical reflection of the joys and challenges of being a mother and a working artist. It is a piece for five dance artists as well as my toddler and husband and the toddler, newborn and husband of Caroline Fermin who all work together to perform the piece. Devotion is laced throughout the work in how we engage with our children and how we continue to return to the steps we’ve laid out for ourselves.

This piece embraces chaos as choreographic material. Equal parts concept and practicality, it is a demand that I not be forced to choose between motherhood and an art career; that children and the messiness of young life be enfolded into art making. This dance offers one portrait of feminism as my life requires it.

The Artists:

Choreography + Direction: Esmé Julien Boyce in collaboration with the dancers and artists

Performers: Jean-Paul Bjorlin, Esmé Julien Boyce, Ching-I Chang, Asa Fermin-Bjorlin (3 years old), Caroline Fermin, Mathilda Fermin-Bjorlin (newborn), Cori Kresge, Matilda Sakamoto, Chat Travieso, Tahlo Travieso-Boyce (2 years old/almost 3)

Music composition: Cody Boyce

Set design: Kit Boyce

Costume Design: Esmé Julien Boyce + Sue Julien

Thanks:

The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1 was developed in part during a Baryshnikov Arts Residency (BAC Open) at Baryshnikov Arts Center, New York, NY in Oct-Nov 2023. In addition, this project is made possible with funds from the Bronx Cultural Visions Fund, a regrant program of the Bronx Council on the Arts. This work would not be possible without the support of these organizations and we are so grateful for their faith in this experiment! Thank you to Arts on Site and Amber Sloan for producing the premiere of the full work. This piece is fleeting and will disappear as the children involved grow and change. Having the support and opportunities to make and share this work quickly has made this joyful and heart-filling experience possible.

Extra special thanks to: Jean-Paul Bjorlin, Cody Boyce, Kit Boyce, Sue Julien, Chat Travieso, Yara Travieso and Mac Twining (who helped originate the work) for showing up for me, for the kiddos and for the piece again and again. It takes a village and I have a wonderful one.

Writing:

READY, SET by Amy Shoshana Blumberg

a response to Esmé Boyce Dance’s creation of The Humbling or Chapter of Mama: Part 1