Breathing Lessons (2006) poetically traces a longing for oxygen through my family history. It draws a thread through a series of life experiences that relied on the restorative powers of respiration, both physically and emotionally. Set in an indeterminate time past, it is lyrical and rhythmic, humorous and tragic, piercing and elegiac. The alternating moods are amplified by the juxtaposition of text and action, image and music, editing pulse and location sound effects. These relationships find their focus as the piece explores the role of ‘signifying actions’ in transforming a personal narrative. The performer’s improvisational physical responses were stimulated by sculptural contraptions, costume construction and storyline, as well as the post-industrial location. Although the project began with my creation of these stimuli, the collaborative responses of Leslie Seiters as performer and the camerawork of Ron Estes were essential to its completion.
Breathing Lessons
by Claudia Esslinger
with Leslie Seiters and Ron Estes
10 minutes/ 2006
Leslie Seiters is a performer, choreographer and visual artist. She directs a San Francisco based company, “leslie seiters’ little known dance theater”, combining visual and movement arts in live performance and video. Leslie has worked with Sara Shelton Mann, Bebe Miller, Jo Kreiter/Flyaway Productions, Dandelion Dance Theater, and Jess Curtis. She currently teaches at San Diego State University.
Ron Estes is a videographer, performer, artist and teacher. His camera work is
guided by a background in dance and design. Recently he has performed with Jess Curtis and Leslie Seiters, collaborated with Rachael Lincoln and Mark Stuver, and taught at Kenyon College and The Ohio State University. He is currently videographer and collaborator in the “leslie seiters’ little known dance theater.”
Link to Sparrow
by Claudia Esslinger
with Leslie Seiters and Ron Estes
10 minutes/ 2006
Leslie Seiters is a performer, choreographer and visual artist. She directs a San Francisco based company, “leslie seiters’ little known dance theater”, combining visual and movement arts in live performance and video. Leslie has worked with Sara Shelton Mann, Bebe Miller, Jo Kreiter/Flyaway Productions, Dandelion Dance Theater, and Jess Curtis. She currently teaches at San Diego State University.
Ron Estes is a videographer, performer, artist and teacher. His camera work is
guided by a background in dance and design. Recently he has performed with Jess Curtis and Leslie Seiters, collaborated with Rachael Lincoln and Mark Stuver, and taught at Kenyon College and The Ohio State University. He is currently videographer and collaborator in the “leslie seiters’ little known dance theater.”
Link to Sparrow