TERRA: Bodies & Territories
TERRA: Bodies & Territories is a groundbreaking work of experimental dance theater created by renowned choreographer Silvana Cardell. Set in a lush forest environment at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education, this immersive performance features a diverse ensemble of women and femme dancers spanning multiple generations, from eight to 78 years old. The production transforms the natural landscape into a living stage, where dance, sound, and visual art converge to create a truly unique sensory experience.
Central to TERRA is the collaboration between the dancers and the land itself. Composer Devin Arne has crafted a site-specific sound installation that captures the organic sounds of the forest, while visual artist Sarah Kavage has designed art installations using materials sourced from the surrounding environment. These elements come together to enhance the audience’s connection to the natural world and the performers’ movements within it.
Silvana Cardell’s artistic vision is deeply rooted in her personal journey as a choreographer and activist. Originally hailing from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Cardell founded her dance company, S. Cardell Danza, before relocating to Philadelphia and establishing Cardell Dance Theater. Known for her politically charged work and physically demanding choreography, Cardell brings a unique perspective to TERRA that challenges conventional notions of dance and performance.
“Its forested trails, untamed spaces, and quiet insistence to be heard shaped the choreography from the very beginning. This is land that has been disturbed and restored, that holds both history and hope. Creating TERRA there allowed the dancers to move with the land, not just on it.” – Silvana Cardell
TERRA explores the interconnectedness between the human body and the natural world, highlighting the cyclical nature of life and the shared vulnerabilities of women and the land. Through movement and expression, the performers embody the resilience and resistance found in both the body and the earth, offering a poignant reflection on themes of power, exploitation, and regeneration.
Experience the transformative power of TERRA at the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education on June 13–15 and 20–22. For more information, visit schuylkillcenter.org.
Special thanks to The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Georgian Court University, and the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance for their generous support of TERRA.
