Solid Ground - How COVID-19 pushed outdoor performances forward

Prior to the pandemic, site-specific and outdoor performances were somewhat niche. They were often used by a variety of contemporary companies and dance troupes, usually to communicate a specific idea or concept that wouldn’t have worked in a traditional theatre setting. They also were seen as an opportunity for free publicity and to appeal to a wider audience, many of whom perhaps would never have been exposed to contemporary dance otherwise. 

 

Now however, performing outside and in public places is the only option for a huge number of dance companies. Theatres are closed, and those that are open do not have the fiscal means to host socially distanced performances. Larger companies with their own facilities can create dance films or participate in live streams from their studios, however there is no guarantee that these will have the same impact as live performances, or even that they will be visible to those outside the (now online) dance community. 

 

Naturally, performing outside and in public places poses its own set of unique challenges for even the most adaptable and versatile of artists. Perhaps the most prevalent is that of the weather. Not solely in the UK, where the weather is famously unpredictable and rain is the norm, but also in warmer climates, where strong sunlight and mosquitoes pose a threat both to concentration and to physical health. In addition, dancing outside the solace of a studio or theatre with a respectful audience is a test of motivation and concentration, given the numerous distractions and potential dangers of a public place, coupled with the possibility of a dismissive and/or disconnected audience. This also makes it harder for choreographers and dancers to communicate effectively through their work, given that there is no programme, lighting or set to help convey the message to the audience. Finally, and perhaps most concerningly, the majority of site-specific and outdoor performances are not ticketed, meaning that exposure cannot be converted into revenue, which is essential for survival.  

 

Despite the many obstacles, there is the hope that COVID-19 has increased public interest in these kinds of performances. Although many centres for entertainment are re-opening, the majority of people are participating cautiously. Hence, an outdoor performance where social distancing can be enforced and there is little danger of infection could be enormously attractive. Furthermore, in order to cope with the emotional and financial toll of lockdown, huge numbers of people turned to art, whether in literary form, or through streaming services or old videos of live performances, meaning that there is potentially hope that the general public want to keep supporting the arts, even if many governments appear to have left them behind in their recovery packages. Finally, due to the ongoing lack of open theatres, the sheer number of outdoor performances will increase, meaning that the general public will be increasingly exposed to dance, whether purposefully or accidentally, which can only have positive consequences.