Lucky Plush RINK LIFE Review - More Than A Community Gathering

Once the whole cast joins the rink, we see them skate and dance in a big circle. They are all around the stage as if in free skate. Each dancer sings their own tune, pieced together like a mixtape, which eventually blends into the same song. Individuals dancing around gradually fade into the same song -- we feel the bond of community.

The piece allowed us to engage with a conceptual topic, while at the same time witnessing complex dance steps, patterns, groupings, partnering. Each component strengthened the other. Text and movement both took us on a contemplative journey about relationships, communication, and self-empowerment.

We get to know each brightly dressed character through different scenarios that would come up like casual conversations. Confrontation seemed commonplace in this world, even if it was through a long game of telephone. These characters were able to confront personal issues in an authentic way with the support of each other. At one point, one dancer gets frustrated and needs some alone time. Another dancer wants to be the leader. Whatever the issue, the group held space for each to achieve their release and work through it.

This emotional support was mirrored by the dancers literally supporting each other with their bodies, through dynamic partnering sections, or simply sitting on each others’ laps in a line. This in turn then formed into a circle, so that everyone could have a seat.

Lucky Plush Shows Us Real Community Building

On the rink, you can sing to your own tune, escape your everyday life, support and be supported, and express yourself honestly. This piece was a lesson to us all, to trust and communicate with one another so that we can reach a common understanding. We engage with a world full of brightly colored characters with unique experiences. We find community.