As the dancers in Fractals glide, dip, and jump around the stage in the Elstad auditorium, they create a superb example of how entertaining dance for the sake of dance can be.
Fractals is DanceArtTheater’s Fringe performance inspired by fractals, shapes of which each part is identical to the whole. Choreographed by Meredith Barnes with writing by Kimberley Cetron and music by Kevin Keller and other artists, the show is stunning in the way it lives up to its title and fluidity.
The dancing in Fractals is split into separate pieces with different focuses. “Inconscient” seems to be inspired by the way we move through the busy city, for example, while the titular “Fractals” shows each dancer almost replicating the others to create a larger movement similar to what they are each doing. Each piece, however, flows smoothly into the next giving the show a coherent feel. This is in large part due to the show’s transitions, which feature solemn asides to the audience about the history of mathematics accompanied by dancing choreographed to represent the words. The show was also unified by the choreography; each piece features the same style and movements being adapted to fit that piece’s focus instead of entirely new dances.
The dancers carry out this choreography with truly impressive skill. Their movements are smooth and precise, turning abstract patterns into beauty. This skill is on display throughout the show, but particularly during “Fractals,” which fuses the efforts of each individual dancer into one spectacular dance.
If you’re a fan of modern dance or want to know why others are, Fractals won’t disappoint.
Running Time: 50 minutes, with no intermission.
Fractals plays through July 22, 2016 at Gallaudet University’s Elstad Auditorium – 800 Florida Avenue, NE, – in Washington, DC. For tickets, call (866) 811-4111, or purchase them online.
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Check other reviews and show previews on DCMetroTheaterArts’ 2016 Capital Fringe Page.
RATING: 
BEST OF THE CAPITAL FRINGE!
