‘Carnivore’ researches the imaginative life of the material body, shaped by the artists’ own experiences of pregnancy, birth and motherhood. Alternately humorous, grotesque, sensual, and whimsical, this site-specific duet explores motherhood, gender, and dance as performances of the body. Utilizing a three-dimensional approach to choreography inspired by pregnancy itself, ‘Carnivore’ conjures body-images, fantasies, and phobias both aspirational and horrific.

Monsters, spells, newborn babies, dead animals, and the process/practice of taxidermy–abject narratives challenge reified images of inert femininity. Giant billowing sheets, bright bulky sweatshirts, neon cellophane, duct tape, bare skin, and antlers–repurposed objects produce extensions of the body through which majestic creatures and abstract sculptures form and dissolve.‘Carnivore’ honors and exploits the roles of decoration, performance, and aesthetics in even the most ‘natural’ of processes.

Embedded in the indoor/outdoor garden space of the MAAS building, ‘Carnivore’ unfolds through a series of site-specific happenings. Please note that there is no audience participation, but audience members will be asked to follow the performance as directed by Cannonball Festival staff. The venue and the performance are ADA accessible.

Appropriate for all ages

NOTE: the Friday, September 23 performance has been canceled

This show is presented as part of Cannonball Festival, Philly’s artist-centered performance hub, packing in 65+ full length shows and 300 performances in two nearby venues. Discover risk-taking theater, dance, circus, music, and comedy alongside a vibrant garden bar with a free nightly cabaret, pop-up events, workshops, artist talkbacks, and more. September 1–30 at the Maas Building (1320 N 5th St) and Icebox Project Space (1400 N American St). Learn more at cannonballfestival.org.

Health & Safety

Proof of vaccination is required to attend this event, and masks must be worn for the duration of the performance. Audience members will be asked to show proof of vaccination before entering the venue. Both digital and physical proof of vaccination are accepted. Please plan accordingly.

Credits

Co-creators/Performers: Meghan Frederick & Kate Seethaler

About the Artist

Meghan Frederick is a dance artist based in Philadelphia, PA. Meghan’s work explores motherhood and western dance practice as choreographies of devotion and has recently been presented by See Chicago Dance (IL), The Engine (ME), VOX POPULI (PA) and Leah Stein Studio (PA) (the latter three with Kate Seethaler); Space Gallery (ME), Movement Research, Brooklyn Studios for Dance, Arts on Site, Center for Performance Research, and STUFFED Dinner and Dance (all NYC). Meghan was a member of the Brian Brooks Moving Company from 2008-2014 and has performed with Vanessa Anspaugh, Liz Lerman, Megan Bridge, and SUBCIRCLE Dance Company among many others. Meghan teaches at Temple, Rowan, and Drexel Universities and completed her MFA at Temple University as a University Fellow.

Kate Seethaler is an improviser, choreographer, performer and teaching artist based in Philadelphia, PA. Her choreographic work moves from questions about the audience-performer relationship, as well as the scope and legibility of improvisation, while meshing surreal humor with sincerity and uncertainty. In addition to collaborating and performing with Meghan Frederick, Kate has performed in works by Kellie Lynch, Joy Davis, Jenn Nugent, Stephanie Maher, Deborah Goffe and Katie Martin, Michael Figueroa, Paige Phillips and Annie Wilson. She works as a movement educator and Pilates teacher. Kate received her MFA in Dance Choreography/Performance from Smith College in 2016 as a Gretchen Moran Teaching Fellow.