Sound & Dance to Infiltrate Ilus Davis Park on Friday Sep. 30

On Friday, September 30, choreographer Lauren Thompson and sound designer Jonathan Robertson will bring their improvisational dance and sound performance, Downtown Replay, to Ilus Davis Park from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

The performance will take place on and around a temporary stage placed in the center of the water feature near the southwest corner of the park near 11th & Oak Streets.

Life and art imitate each other; this is the feedback loop that Downtown Replay explores through movement and sound. Prior to the performance,  Thompson has designed movement inspired by the architecture of the park and Robertson record on location – these movements and sounds initiate and function as the core of the piece.

During the performance, sounds will continue to be captured through microphones strategically placed around the park. The public can manipulate the sound and movement of the space they are in, while at the same time the choreographer and sound designer have predetermined part of their experience. Videographer Tom Hipp will record the performance from various angles. The video recording will be used to create an interactive projection for a later, stage performance.

This performance is free and open to the public. It the final performance of the 2016 Art in the Park and Art in the Loop projects.  Art in the Park is an effort by the City of Kansas City, Missouri to enliven public outdoor spaces with temporary art pieces and performances.  It was produced this year in coordination with the 2016 Art in the Loop Project which included temporary artworks and performance on the KC Streetcar route, in Oppenstein Park and at Prairie Logic on the Green Roof. For more information, contact Ann Holliday, 816-979-1072 or ann@downtownkc.org, or Elizabeth Bowman, elizabeth.bowman@kcmo.org.

About the Artists

Lauren Thompson is a local dancer and choreographer. She is a graduate from the University of Kansas City-Missouri with a BFA in modern dance, in addition to a collection of other degrees. Lauren’s work has been performed at the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, Kansas City Fringe Festival, Unicorn Theater, and with Art in the Loop.

Jonathan Robertson is an adjunct instructor of music technology at Missouri Western State University and a composer and sound designer working in Kansas City. Recent credits include composer for the theatre play Medea (directed by Joshua K. Brody) at UMKC, assistant sound designer for Kansas City Swing (dir. Ricardo Khan) at the Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, and composer/sound designer for Immeasurable Heaven (dir. Stephanie Roberts) on Spencer Stage at UMKC, and music director for Mr. Burns, a post-electric play at the Unicorn theatre. He co-wrote and directed the plays Mannequins, Companions and The Audio Cart (Kansas City Fringe Festival 2014,  2015, and 2016).

Tom Hipp produces and directs film content in the Kansas City area and beyond. He graduated from the University of Kansas School of Journalism and got his start in TV commercials. Since then he has collaborated with a diverse group of people and clients to create television, commercials, web pieces, music videos, documentaries and more.  Tom loves Kansas City and is excited to further develop both the film production and art communities in the area.