Anna bends forward with one arm outstretched. She knocks down a row of inflatable Bozo dolls.
Anna bends forward with one arm outstretched. She knocks down a row of inflatable Bozo dolls.

could be worse - duet, 55 min

“could be worse” evolved as a reflection, an archive, and a product of living and creating through a pandemic, a time of extreme doubt. The work explores ideas of effort (real and perceived), individualized perceptions of success and failure, burnout and recovery, and the myriad of ways in which artists have to contort themselves to survive in capitalism while also dedicating their life to creating artwork. Drawing on influences from 1960s big-band orchestra, quirky instrumental pop and bossa nova, this warped fun-house dance duet hearkens back to a culture of perseverance and bootstrapping, of strict societal rules and heteronormative individualism. Through humor, music and theater, the show slowly peels back the facade of effortlessness until we find what we are left with in the aftermath. 

“... could be worse forces us to consider the costs, on several levels, of being an artist and persevering in making and presenting one’s art.” -Byron Woods

Read the full Indy Week review.

Anna and Leah wear all black. They lean on one arm while seated on the floor, faces expressionless and staring ahead. They are surrounded by colorful tutus.
Anna stands with arms overhead, putting on a long formal dress. Leah stands behind her with a red formal poofy dress on. Inflatable Bozo dolls line the back of the stage.
Anna and Leah wear all white outfits. They make heart gestures with their hands overhead. The stage is lined with colorful tulle.
Anna and Leah wear all black. They sit on their shins, and their hands manipulate their faces to look strained. They are surrounded by colorful tutus, some of which are lifting off the floor.
Anna wears all white. She leaps with bent legs and arms overhead. Inflatable Bozo dolls are turned away from her upstage.
Anna and Leah wear all black. They balance on one leg with arms outstretched, angled toward the corner. They are surrounded by colorful tutus.