The journey of creation for an independent choreographer is already a daunting task, navigating through the challenges of securing grants, rehearsal space, and recognition in a competitive and scattered environment. However, when you add the responsibilities of caring for a young child and an ailing parent into the mix, the weight of daily life becomes palpable.
This is the central theme of “SISSY,” a captivating new dance-theater piece by Celia Rowlson-Hall, set to premiere at the prestigious Baryshnikov Arts Center in New York. The production features a stellar cast including Marisa Tomei and Lucas Hedges, and offers a fresh perspective on the myth of Sisyphus. In this reimagined tale, Sisyphus toils not in the depths of the underworld but at a rundown artist’s residency in the Hudson Valley, where a determined director and her ensemble of dancers are preparing for their final showcase after a two-week workshop.
Audiences are transported into a world where ordinary objects like beach balls and painter’s buckets are transformed into tools for physical exploration, blurring the lines between tragedy and comedy. Through a seamless blend of movement and storytelling, “SISSY” invites viewers to reflect on the complexities of real life and the resilience required to navigate its challenges.
Celia Rowlson-Hall, the mastermind behind this innovative production, shares that “SISSY” represents a deeply personal and vulnerable creative endeavor. After a successful career as a filmmaker and choreographer for the screen, Rowlson-Hall returns to the stage with a renewed sense of purpose. The inspiration for “SISSY” emerged during a residency at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in 2023, where Rowlson-Hall and her wife, director Mia Lidofsky, juggled the demands of artistic creation with the responsibilities of caring for their infant son, Romeo.
During this time, Rowlson-Hall also grappled with her father’s declining health, a devoted teacher and coach who had always lived outside the traditional medical system. As her father battled a health crisis in Virginia, Rowlson-Hall found solace in the metaphor of Sisyphus, pushing through grief like pushing through rock. Drawing inspiration from literary works like Robert Macfarlane’s “Underland,” the concept of resilience and perseverance became central to the narrative of “SISSY.”
As “SISSY” prepares to take the stage at the Baryshnikov Arts Center, audiences can expect a thought-provoking and visually stunning experience that delves into the depths of human emotion and endurance. Through the lens of dance and theater, Celia Rowlson-Hall invites us to explore the intersection of personal struggles and artistic expression, creating a poignant and unforgettable performance that resonates long after the final curtain falls.
