Laila J. Franklin
Laila J. Franklin
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Space Cadet (2021)

40-minute ensemble work

"When our lived experience of theorizing is fundamentally linked to processes of self-recovery, of collective liberation, no gap exists between theory and practice. Indeed, what such experience makes more evident is the bond between the two – that ultimately reciprocal process wherein one enables the other. Theory is not inherently healing, liberatory, or revolutionary. It fulfills this function only when we ask that it do so and direct our theorizing towards this end."


bell hooks, "Theory as a Liberatory Practice"


It is radical imagination.

It is a space walk.

It is spidering and it is futuring.

It is mourning and it is inviting those we have lost to join us in our bodies, in our space, and in our journey.

It is holding one another through witnessing when touch is unavailable.

It is turning internal landscapes outward. 

choreography: Laila J. Franklin, in collaboration with cast

performers: Jaki Bass, Laila J. Franklin, Ianka Hou

music: Daniel Nerger

costume design: Juliana Waechter & Laila J. Franklin

lighting design: Kim Fain

videography: Katie Phelan

editing: Laila J. Franklin

stage manager: Jennifer Sandgathe

material archive: Keren Alfred

World Premiere:

Digital Release, April 2021


Developed in fulfillment of a Masters of Fine Arts in Dance, University of Iowa


Photo by Miranda Meyer


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