Swallowed by the intimate Pearl on Main theater, Gnaw begins comically and casually with a series of pre-show sketches. Shuffling boots backstage beckon forth cow-folk dressed in their unmentionables. Playing cards and smoking a shared cigarette, Fleet Co-Op warms up the space with their first trope: the hyper-independent cowpoke. This vaudeville montage entertained with a sense of classic charm. We saw each member’s take on cowboys, from spittin’ sunflower seeds to gettin’ in fights. There was almost too much to watch as the scene devolved into madness, a frenzy only people in deep isolation can muster as they yearn for connection. Amid the madness, we see one particular cowhand attempt to shed the mask by removing the iconic hat. Thus begins Dirt Between the Teeth, choreographed by Alex Seager.
Dirt Between the Teeth is classic Fleet — a stunning, nuanced duet with flamboyant group choreography in the background. Our protagonist-cowboy sheds her hat, boots, and trench coat for a theatrical reveal of the nakedness beneath. Comical, shrill screams erupt from the rest of the cowboys each time the hat is removed. Accented with stomps, in boots, a cautious duet unfurls between the protagonist and an observer. They comfort each other as well as the audience. Dirt ultimately comments on the hyper-masculine individuality borne out of the West, using comedy to digest the idolized isolation that keeps cowboys from banding together. As a viewer, the imagery of the cowboy translated well to our current times — late-stage capitalism. The more we cling to ourselves, the less we consider others in our life path.
Teeth Agape, crafted by Shelby Taylor and Hailey Nilson, was an immense crowd pleaser. This piece’s imagery? Angry, corporate bad-ass woman, punking in heels and being upset that you need her to act a certain way. Seated right in the front row, I was left stunned by their in-your-face waacking/punking/voguing rebellion. Absurdism was the cherry on top, rounding out the multidimensionality of the character play.
The crown jewel of Gnaw is The Skin of Our Teeth, choreographed by Sawyer Player. Having had the privilege of seeing this work progress from Fleet’s workshop and a showing at Monday Movement Lab, this iteration was by far the most magical. Fruit and witchcraft are the central imagery of Skin; three dancers in darkness are illuminated one by one by their comrades, who point flashlights at their disfigurements. Fanatically grabbing and biting fruit as an eerie, distant violin pulls you deeper into this unstable world, the technical abilities of each performer are stretched to the limit. Running similar to Dirt, Skin devolves from unstable to pure chaos, reaching straight for your throat. Amazing solo moments from Kira and Trinity threaten as the corps jacks and ping pong along upstage. An ode to the feral, to community suffering, and to insanity, Skin of Our Teeth peels back the layers of each member of Fleet. We crave more.
Fleet stuns with a dance-theater night of confrontation. The character play, individual voice, and creativity of each choreographer demonstrated professional-caliber work. More than worthy of a New York stage — they plan to present at NYC’s Arts on Site on July 22 — Fleet sets the example of independent work in the Salt Lake Valley. Each member of Fleet has a different relationship to dance, some working gigs, others pursuing it as a profession, and others flying where the wind takes them. This collective spreads responsibility amongst each member, utilizing individual talents to market, design and support each other. You do not need to wait for your next big break; you can craft it yourself.
Lauren Cheree Wightman (she/they) is a dancer, writer, explorer and part time goblin. When not in the studio, she prefers frolicking in the mountains, foraging for plants and climbing rocks. A contemporary freelance artist, they roam where they please, creating projects with the resources in their area. An ideal day in Lauren’s life would include climbing up a waterfall, swimming in the ocean, hiking to a cozy cave, and reading a book as the sun sets. Find out more at travelbarefoot8.wordpress.com.