By Alexandria Baker
On January 25, at 6:30 p.m. on the Performing Arts Center (PAC) Mainstage, Kuntz and Company is performing their original work titled “AIRINGS…voices of our youth.”
The dances are visual depictions of the struggles many people face in their adolescence, particularly the period from middle to high school. The choreography was influenced by meetings with Western’s psychology department, which helped the dancers truly enter the mindset of a teenager. Additionally, 20 teenagers from the Bellingham area shared their stories with Pam Kuntz, the artistic director and founder of Kuntz and Company.
Kuntz states on the website for her company that she is particularly interested in sharing stories from the community. Past topics the company has tackled with their dances include Asperger’s Syndrome, HIV/AIDS and themes of family. The website also states that the topics are often chosen by request, so the dances truly reflect the stories and struggles of the community.
“AIRINGS” was previously shown at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center in November.
Kuntz and Company also used input from the psychology department to develop workbooks for educators and parents to discuss the topics covered in the show.
Tickets are free with reservation and can be reserved online at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/airingsvoices-of-our-youth-tickets-29736659148.