HARDCORE
by Alessandro Magania and Kourtney Rutherford
"Charisma is something you can ignite, stimulate, and work just like your intellect. Fit Factor 5 makes you fluid in a new physical language, replacing manifestation of eagerness, like nodding in agreement and smiling while talking, with EFFECTIVE/ SYNTHETIC/ GESTURES that will make you magnetic. Magnetic to those you desire. Magnetic to those who didn’t even know you existed." - EXCERPT
HARDCORE is a one-act dance and theater piece created by Alessandro Magania and Kourtney Rutherford. Toying with the concept of crafting charisma, Hardcore plays like a series of takes from the shooting of an infomercial, for a program that aims to correct undesirable physical habits - namely, sincere emotional manifestations. Taking its cue from fitness and self-help videos, interviews and exercise demonstrations are played out by the program creator/guru and a selected participant, while a duo of technicians continuously resets camera angles, and with live scoring by a musician. The threat of spontaneity coming unhinged is set against the contrived principles imparted by the workout, and of filming in itself, as a reflection on the value placed by our society on restraint and poised appearances.
Created by: Alessandro Magania and Kourtney Rutherford
Text: Kourtney Rutherford
Choreography: Alessandro Magania
Music by: Mathieu Eveillard
Props: Kim Macron, Simone Peretti
Performed by: Jack Frederick, Kim Macron, Alessandro Magania,
Simone Peretti, Kourtney Rutherford.
Running time: 20 mins approx
Hardcore premiered at Dixon Place. as part of Little Theatre, Vol XV, No. 1, September, 2014.