TERRA: Transforming Land into a Living Laboratory and Performance Space

**TERRA: Bodies & Territories – A Transformative Dance Theater Experience**

Silvana Cardell’s “TERRA: Bodies & Territories” is an experimental dance theater performance set in the lush forests of the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education. This unique production brings together a diverse group of women and femme dancers, ages eight to 78, creating a generational tapestry of movement and emotion. The piece transforms the natural landscape into a dynamic stage, integrating kinetic, theatrical, and sonic elements that immerse audiences in a multi-sensory journey.

The performance is enriched with a site-specific sound installation by composer Devin Arne, who captures the forest’s essence by recording natural sounds of plant growth and movement. Visual artist Sarah Kavage enhances the experience with installations and props crafted from materials harvested directly from the environment, fostering a deep connection between the dancers and the land.

As a celebrated choreographer in Philadelphia’s contemporary dance scene, Silvana Cardell is known for her politically engaged and physically intense works. Her journey began in Buenos Aires with S. Cardell Danza, later bringing her talents to Philadelphia with the establishment of Cardell Dance Theater.

In “TERRA,” Cardell allows the environment to shape the choreography. “Its forested trails, untamed spaces, and quiet insistence to be heard shaped the choreography from the very beginning,” she reflects. The piece sees the land not just as a stage but as a collaborator in storytelling. The dance delves into themes of generation, resistance, and regeneration, drawing parallels between the cycles of nature and human life, especially underlining the shared histories and struggles of women and the earth.

Performances of “TERRA” are scheduled at the Schuylkill Center from June 13–15 and 20–22. For more information, visit the Schuylkill Center’s website.

“TERRA” is supported by The Pew Center for Arts & Heritage, Georgian Court University, and the 2025 Creative Sector Flex Fund from the Greater Philadelphia Cultural Alliance and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.