Nashville, Tenn. – October 11, 2024 – Contemporary arts center OZ Arts Nashville today announced that award-winning, internationally acclaimed dancer Emma Sandall will bring the U.S. premiere of her signature multimedia work An Ambivalent Woman of 37 to OZ’s expansive creative warehouse November 15-16. Inspired by the novel Motherhood by Sheila Heti, Sandall’s creativity is on full display as she confronts that most vexatious of questions: “Do I want a child?”
Sandall, whose work in her native Australia has caught the attention of creatives around the globe, collaborated with Paul Vasterling, Artistic Director Emeritus of Nashville Ballet, on the choreography and direction of the piece, developed through a series of workshops in New York, Nashville, and Sydney. The performance features an original score from famed Australian composer Elena Kats Chernin, which will be performed in Nashville by pianist Alessandra Volpi of the Nashville Symphony. Blending stunning movement with vibrant multimedia projections, live music and theatricality, Sandall takes a unique, introspective and sometimes hilarious approach to tackling the deeply personal dilemma of whether or not to become a mother.
Drawing inspiration from sources as diverse as Monty Python and the golden era of silent film, An Ambivalent Woman of 37 calls on Sandall’s four decades of experience in dance and theater. The vulnerable performance, which began as a direct adaptation of Heti’s acclaimed writings, has evolved to include an intimate look inside Sandall’s own history and debates on her personal desire to become a parent or live child-free. Steeped in the discipline and maturity of a celebrated continent-spanning career, the engaging interdisciplinary performance brings this universal choice to life with a thrilling collision of animation, music and choreography.
“Emma Sandall’s vibrant collaboration with Paul Vasterling presents an irresistible pairing for our season of change-making artists,” said Mark Murphy, OZ Arts Executive and Artistic Director. “Sandall’s dyanmic talents combined with her thoughtful adaptation of Sheila Heti’s writings has yielded an incredible show with a thought-provoking message. Nashville audiences are sure to embrace her distinctive artistic voice, clever use of multimedia, and creative wit, whether or not they are deliberating on the dilemma of motherhood themselves.”
The production pulls no punches – intricately dancing between dark, absurdist humor and searing honesty as Sandall weaves her own response to Heti’s Motherhood, which was hailed by The Guardian as “a finely wrought work of delicate art.” Select approved photos for the performance can be seen via this Dropbox link. Tickets for An Ambivalent Woman of 37 start at $25 and are on sale now at the following link.
This performance is made possible with generous support from donors and grants. To learn more about upcoming performances, please visit www.ozartsnashville.org/.
About OZ Arts Nashville
Founded in 2013 by the Ozgener family, OZ Arts Nashville has quickly established itself as one of the Southeast's most influential and respected producers and presenters focused on the creation and presentation of significant performing and visual artworks by diverse cultural visionaries who are making vital contributions to the evolution of contemporary culture. Through performances, exhibitions, and community events, OZ Arts focuses on producing and presenting the work of local and visiting artists who reflect our diverse society, utilize new artistic forms and technology in creative ways, and provide opportunities for meaningful engagement with audiences, students and cultural and civic leaders. OZ Arts' unique creative warehouse has developed a reputation as a major national and regional laboratory for experimentation and a home for contemporary dance and performance. More than 50,000 audience members have been introduced to adventurous artists from around the world since the organization opened, and hundreds of local and regional artists have used OZ’s 10,000 square-foot warehouse theater to develop new works. For more information, please visit ozartsnashville.org.
About Emma Sandall
Emma Sandall is a multi-award-winning, internationally acclaimed dancer. She has performed with companies including Bejart Ballet Lausanne, The Royal Ballet, Scottish Ballet and West Australian Ballet.
As an independent artist with a focus on choreographing works for stage and screen and developing innovative training methodologies, she co-founded Ludwig in Perth in 2010 and in 2013 created Body Playground in Sydney. Her choreography has been awarded a medal at the Rome International Choreography Competition and a finalist position at the Stuttgart Solo Dans Theater Festival. Her work Fleck & Flecker with Ludwig received the Most Outstanding New Work Award at the West Australian Dance Awards in 2013.
Emma has taught dance across Australia including for the Brent Street Academy, Sydney Dance Company, Strut Dance and Academy Ballet. She has had residencies and run dance workshops in Israel, Austria and Switzerland and has received numerous state and national grants to develop works and perform. Emma has written regularly for Dance Australia Magazine and for Dance Magazine in the USA.
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