Give Us Nothing, Take Responsibility

Give Us Nothing, Take Responsibility was a part of the 2023 Under Construction student-choreographer dance concert.
This piece is a commentary on performative activism, particularly as it pertains to feminism. The piece begins with the four dancers each wearing their white overshirts. The lighting in the beginning is very cool and dim. When the first dancer breaks free from the status quo, she takes off her white overshirt. The lighting begins to shift to warmer and brighter, reaching its peak when all four dancers have joined the first. In the final moment, the other dancers return to their lives as before, putting their white shirts back on. Only one remains, encircled by a down pool of white light. The lighting returns to the dim, cool look from the beginning, with a glimmer of warmth and hope left just behind the lone dancer.

Choreography: Janae Dickerson

Lighting Design: Dallas J. Cook

Performers: AJ Gerdes, Isabella Good, Jasmyn Schettino, Ray Stradford

Photos: Miguel Sanchez-Nunez