Rewilding is the vision of Amanda Cantrell Roche, with contributors Sarah Ledbetter, Brandon Johnson, and F. Lynne Bachleda. Additionally, dancers Lily Szekeres, Amy Bell, Holly-Cannon Hesse, Jaimie Flores, and Autumn Wegner contributed spoken word and choreography to this project that blurs the line between performance and workshop. A structured dance improvisation with film, somatic and improvisational dance experiences for the audience, and stories and education from community partners who focus on rewilding and land conservation, Rewilding is a unique opportunity for the audience to rewild the performance space with us by becoming part of it. Rewilding at the Kindling Arts Festival was the first iteration of Amanda’s passion integrate participatory workshop into performance, with sold out performances.
A more comprehensive iteration of Rewilding is planned for April 9 and 10, 2027 at the Darkhorse Theater with expanded content and more community partner engagement.
Kindling Arts Festival Program
Welcome, Opening Experience and Grounding: Amanda and Sarah
Rewilding Nature, A Conversation Between Friends, Rewilding Ourselves: full cast
Music by Ernie Gray and Sarah Saturday of Gardening, Not Architecture. Film by Amanda, and Nature
Invitation to Rewild the Space With Us: Amanda and Brandon
Community Partner Talks
Saturday: Tenn Green Land Conservancy, Larkspur Conservation, and Tennessee Women in Green
Sunday: Wild Ones Middle TN, GROWEnrichment, and Bask Nature Sanctuary
Rewilding Ripples ~~~~~~~~~
Project Background
Rewilding is my latest project, and was my first full show in the Kindling Arts Festival. Blurring the lines between somatic workshop, performance, and truly immersive dance theater, Rewilding offers audiences an opportunity to actively engage in artistic expression that provokes climate action. This structured improvisational dance experience is created by choreographer, activist, and organizer Amanda Cantrell Roche alongside contributers Brandon Johnson, and Sarah Ledbetter. Film, created in partnership with F. Lynne Bachleda, is blended with live dance and a spoken word narrative to tell the story of rewilding – the action of letting nature return to its natural state – and its climate impact, while exploring how both dance improv and rewilded nature can become self-organizing systems. Ultimately, audiences are invited to join a simple movement score, co-creating an environment alongside performers and reminding us of the power of collective action around this urgent issue for our planet.
Additional performers include Lily Szekeres, Holly Cannon-Hesse, Jaimie Flores, Amy Bell, and Autum Wegner.
PERFORMANCES:
Saturday, July 26th at 2PM
Sunday, July 27th at 5PM
VENUE:
Global Education Center (Studio A)
4822 Charlotte Ave #3
Nashville, TN 37209
TICKETS ARE FULLY SOLD OUT
Photo by Sarah Sugg.
