With the third anniversary of the hurricane Katrina disaster approaching on Aug. 25, Terpsicorps Theatre’s recent presentation of “Hurricane & other forces of nature” at the Diana Wortham Theatre in Asheville, NC, was a timely performance of a powerful piece.

Heather Maloy, of Asheville, created “Hurricane & other forces of nature” for the 21st Century Choreographic Competition, organized by Ballet Nouveau Colorado. Maloy’s piece earned her a spot in the top-three entries. All choreographers submitted their entries via YouTube, back in April.

“Hurricane & other forces of nature” addresses the growing global concern over various types of climate crisis. In the piece, dancers’ movements portray the swirling havoc within a hurricane. They tell of a storm’s destructive powers, and they also express the the emotional damage that people experience after suffering through a natural disaster.

Terpsicorps’s presentation of Maloy’s “Hurricane & other forces of nature” features music by Godspeed! You Black Emperor, and it closes with a tribute to post-Katrina New Orleans.

Because the 21st Century Choreographic Competition entries were submitted online, they are still available for viewing. You can see Maloy’s choreographic submission at this link.

See our sources below for more information on Maloy and “Hurricane & other forces of nature.”

• Clark, Paul. “New dance work captures the impact of ‘Hurricane.’” Citizen-Times.com. August 3, 2008.
• Hurricane & other forces of nature. Terpsicorps Theatre.
• “Terpsicorps Theatre of Dance presents ‘Hurricane & other forces of nature.” Diana Wortham Theatre