Up

and

Through

by
Jess Humphrey
and
Eric Geiger

“I never even thought about whether or not they understand what I’m doing.… The emotional reaction is all that matters. As long as there’s some feeling of communication, it isn’t necessary that it be understood.
—John Coltrane

Eric and Jess made a "pandemic pod" in June 2020 and the slow, steady creation of Up and Through is one of the ways we metabolized the past few years. This dance is aspirational—spacious, silly, sensate, and filled with togetherness.

They chose choreography for Up and Through that induces aliveness and connection, reduces agitation and stagnation, and since practiced states can make permanent traits, this dance has the potential to change us a little every time we dance it.

It's a study of crossfades, sometimes long, sometimes numerous, always impossible, and typically generative. They are working to expand the number of possible interpretations of this dance rather than designing a dance that conveys a single theme or meaning. Up and Through continues our commitment to centering experiENCE to make experiMENTS in dance more accessible and seeks to transcend representation toward a more visceral exchange.

Lighting Design

Maile Varian

Music / Sound

Tsegue-Maryam Guebrou

George Harrison

Jess Humphrey

Jonathan Larson/Idina Menzel

Harry Nilsson

Diana Ross

Fadi Tabbal

Costume Construction

Natalie Barshow

Production Manager

Dylan Carter

Stage Manager

Brianna Noice

Crew

Special Thanks

Joseph Alter, Elvira Delgado, Ron Humphrey

Land Acknowledgement

For millennia, the Kumeyaay people have been a part of this land. This land has nourished, healed, protected and embraced them for many generations in a relationship of balance and harmony. As members of the San Diego State community we acknowledge this legacy. We promote this balance and harmony. We find inspiration from this land; the land of the Kumeyaay.