Support Rhea's work 'reconciliation of a wanting body'

Hello!

My name is Rhea Keller. I am a dance artist and choreographer based in Seattle, WA.

This year, I was awarded an emerging artist residency with the James Ray Residency and Touring Project through Seattle International Dance Festival. I am currently in process for reconciliation of a wanting body, a work interested in shedding patriarchy and healing one's personal embodiment, to be presented in the festival on June 11th.

After going through a major upheaval in my personal life, I felt a disconnect in my relationship with my own body. I've been considering how patriarchal parts of our society have shaped my identity as a woman and a closeted queer person and reading/learning about the history of patriarchy in science and literature and it's reflection in culture. This work feels not only important for myself, but also for the present time where our bodies and identities are increasingly politicized.

Last October, I acquired a concussion that I thought I had fully healed from. I returned to dancing slowly over the course of four months and planned to dance in my work in June. Over the last month, my concussion symptoms have returned to the point of losing my medical clearance to perform.

Luckily for me, Alicia Pugh has agreed to perform in my work! Alicia is a professional dance artist and musician. After training at PNB and Alonzo King Lines Ballet, she moved to Seattle and has worked for choreographers Beth Twigs, Alana O. Rogers, Cameo Lethem, Maia Melene D’urfe and more. We have danced together in a number of projects, and I am so excited to be working with her for reconciliation. Here's a little clip of us dancing together :)

It's very important to me to be able to pay collaborators fairly as I enter this stage of my creative career. In a society (and administration!) that severely underappreciates the arts (and free expression!) individual artists shoulder the cost of creating their own work. Alicia's performance fee is is unexpected and not something I budgeted for as it came out of a medical need.

If giving money is a way you are able to or like to share your support, please consider making a donation. I'm grateful for your support whether it comes financially or not!

Here is what I am looking to pay her:

$20/hr for rehearsal x 26 hours = $520

$175 for day of show (includes tech, dress rehearsal, and performance)

total $695

I am not interested in raising money for myself, but in the event we were to surpass our goal, anything extra would be used for costuming or saved for future projects.

THANK YOU for your support!! If you are in Seattle, please come to the performance on June 11th :)

With gratitude,

Rhea