‘Magma’ cum laude
Sarah East Johnson’s acrobatic troupe Lava has long delighted audiences with its circus-style flying trapeze acts, acrobatics and modern dances. Six years ago, Lava birthed a junior company with an appropriate alias – Magma. The 11 girls, aged 8 to 17, were hand-picked by Johnson from their Brooklyn studio’s acrobatic classes. After much tumbling, flying through the air and standing on their heads, Magma is moving beyond its “opening act” status with their first feature-length performance today.
In true Lava form, the piece to be performed is an entirely collaborative effort. Says Johnson, “Their piece is looking at change and the ways that change happens. We asked them what change means to them – maybe it was going from simple to complex, from young to old, or big to small. Then they integrated this into their performance … Half of the show’s choreography was made up by them.”
Today, Jan. 28 and Feb. 4, at 1 p.m.; $15. The Flea Theater, 41 White St. For tickets, call (212)226-2407.
Lauren Benet Stephenson
Originally published January 21, 2006
