“O’Neal synthesizes complex themes with a cohesive, penetrating aesthetic. Her latest work transcends disciplines and boundaries. It is a bridge between worlds, a translator for opposing points of view, a force for good.”
Opposing Forces utilizes tropes of contemporary performance to expose fears around feminine qualities in our culture through the hyper masculine dance style of Breaking. With curiosity, vulnerability, and power five world-class B-Boys uncover binary perceptions of gender using a diverse range of dance contexts: battling, commercial dance, intimate duets, and cyphering, all set inside a futuristic geometric landscape.
Featuring:
Concept, Direction and Co-Choreography: Amy O’Neal
Performers and Co-Choreographers: Alfredo “Free” Vergara (Circle of Fire/SoulShifters), Brysen “Just Be” Angeles (Massive Monkees), Fever One (Rocksteady Crew), Mike O’Neal (Chpt1/BeatHippies), and Mozes Lateef Saleem (Circle of Fire/SoulShifters)
Original Score By: Waylon Dungan aka WD4D
Vocal Performance on cover of Kendrick Lamar’s Backseat Freestyle: Gifted Gab
Costume Design: Wazhma Samizay + Danial Hellman of Bobojan
Lighting Design: Amiya Brown
Floor + Wall Design: Ben Zamora
Artist Management: Stefanie Karlin + Squid MGMT
Opposing Forces was made possible by the New England Foundation for the Arts’ National Dance Project, with lead funding from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, with additional support from the National Endowment of the Arts.
In addition, Opposing Forces was made possible by support from On the Boards through their Dance Production Program, National Performance Network commissioning funds, James W. Ray Venture Project Award through Artist Trust, 4Culture, with generous support from Case Van Rij.
Documentary on initial process and premiere of Opposing Forces by Kyle Seago.
Press
“Opposing Forces’ breaks through hip-hop gender gap”
Claudia Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle | READ
“Choreographers pushing the boundaries of dance”
Eliza Ingle, The Post and Courier | READ
“Amy O’Neal’s Opposing Forces features five male dancers exploring questions of femininity” Connelly Hardaway, Charleston City Paper | READ
“We got an early look at Opposing Forces”
Sam Spence, Charleston City Paper | READ
“B-Boys Deconstruct Gender in Amy O’Neal’s Opposing Forces”
Megan Burbank, The Portland Mercury | READ
Press Play with Madeleine Brand, KCRW | LISTEN
“Dancing & Music Spectacular: Opposing Forces at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts” Tonya Goodbrand, OC Mom Blog | READ
“Amy O’Neal’s Opposing Forces brings Hip Hop to Costa Mesa”
Jean Lenihan, The OC Register | READ
“Curtain Up: Off Center is Right On at Segerstrom Center”
Christopher Trela, The Newport Indy | READ
“Amy O’Neal transforms hip-hop dance to concert art at OtB”
Alice Kaderlan, Seattle Times | READ
“The Artist’s Impulse”
Marcie Sillman, And Another Thing | READ
“Amy O’Neal’s Opposing Forces”
Leah Baltus, City Arts Magazine | READ
“Opposing Forces Come Together”
Ciara McCormack, Seattle Dances | READ
“The Tao of Amy O’Neal”
Omar Willey, Seattle Star | READ
“UW’s World Series and On the Boards: An Exciting Weekend for Dance”
Sharon Cumberland, Seattle Gay News | READ
“A Fiendish Conversation with Amy O’Neal”
Seth Sommerfeld, Seattle Met | READ
Past Performances
Closing Performance: February 16 – 18, 2017
Yerba Buena Center for the Arts
San Francisco, CA
Performance Premiere:
October 23 – 26, 2014
On the Boards | Seattle, WA
2015 Tour
January 29 – 31
Off Center Festival
Segerstrom Center for the Arts | Costa Mesa, CA
September 17 – 19
Portland Institute of Contemporary Art: TBA Festival
Portland, OR
December 12
National Performance Network’s Annual Meeting
Portland, OR
2016 Tour
February 9
University of Hawaii Hilo Performing Arts Center
Hilo, HI | More Info
February 11
Maui Arts & Cultural Center
Maui, HI | More Info
February 12 | Master Class
February 13 | Performance
Kahilu Theatre
Waimea, HI | More Info
June 8 – 12 | Performances
June 11 | Master Class
Spoleto Festival USA at Memminger Auditorium
Charleston, SC | More Info
Performance and Rehearsal Photos by: Bruce Clayton Tom
Promotional Photos by: Gabriel Bienczycki