Let’s get Liminal: Throwdown Collective in conversation with SesayArts

DanceWorks opens 2023 with the world premiere of Liminal, a 60-minute dance performance created and performed by Zhenya Cerneacov, Mairéad Filgate and Brodie Stevenson, who are collectively known as Throwdown Collective. Liminal will debut on Wednesday, February 1 – Saturday, February 4, 2023 at Franco Boni Theatre (The Theatre Centre) at 8 PM. 

With Liminal, Throwdown Collective brings to life their first full-length stage production. It’s also their most ambitious project to date. Set to an original sound score by Joshua Van Tassel and featuring sets by David Patrick and Great Lakes Scenic Studios, the evocative show explores fast-moving changes – from COVID-19 to climate change – that are changing the world and affecting our lives. In the show, the performers transform and evolve through complexities of character and emotion, revealing the dichotomy between outer persona and inner world. An exploration of the ever-changing nature of life, and the gap between reality and perception, Liminal follows a trio in a flawless dance . . . until their pursuit of perfection devolves into a state of mayhem. 

Ahead of the show’s premiere, SesayArts caught up with Throwdown Collective to discuss how unison back flips into a river brought them together, how the pursuit of consensus fuels their creativity, and their inspiration for – and excitement about – Liminal.

SM: Let’s start with you. Tell us about Throwdown Collective. How did you all come together, and what sets you apart as a company, in your opinion?

TC: The three of us spent the summer of 2007 touring together across Ontario with Dusk Dances Festival. In Haliburton, ON the local kids were diving into the river, and we started doing unison back flips from the bridge. Throughout the summer we practiced our tricks and jokingly called ourselves the Moldovan Acrobatic Team. At the end of the summer the festival director Sylvie said, “If you’re serious about working together, make me a proposal,” and so we did! While making our first piece, One Couch, we found that we had great creative chemistry, and we have continued to collaborate ever since.

What sets us apart? We do everything collaboratively and are committed to consensus building. We have also operated for 15 years as an independent, un-incorporated collective, which is unique.

SM: Liminal has a unique premise! How did you get the inspiration for it, and what has the developmental journey been like?

The idea for Liminal began with the desire to push ourselves as creators and performers into new theatrical territory. The idea of the transformation of mundane or recognizable images was brought forward and we explored this together, brainstorming and improvising together. We always love a challenge and so a little later the idea of a revolving floor emerged. We thought it would be a perfect way to represent the passing of time and to alter the perspective of the audience. It’s been a long and winding road with many challenges including interruptions and postponements due to the pandemic, raising enough money to make it all happen, and the many technical challenges that come with building a massive set. It’s been an education and a roller coaster of a ride, but we made it!

SM: What would you like the audience to know about the themes of Liminal and what the audience can expect to experience?

TC: We set out to explore transformation over time and how our personal experience and perspective shifts in relation to time. The piece is very human: three people navigating the desires, challenges, and setbacks of life. We hope that we can bring our audiences along for our journey, and that they have a visceral and emotional experience.

SM: What aspect of performing the show excites you most? 

TC: That we finally made it! That we overcame all of the challenges and can finally bring our ideas to fruition and share them with an audience. We can’t wait to share this work!

SM: The final word is yours. What question do you wish I had asked you that I didn’t (and what is the answer)?

TC: What are we most looking forward to? 

We are excited to finally put aside all of the responsibilities of creating and producing the show and to fully be our performer selves, to be in the moment of the show and breathe life into the work.

 Reserve tickets to Liminal on theatrecentre.org.

© Arpita Ghosal, SesayArts Magazine, 2023