Videos – Phase Tracing, Phase Tracing I, Phase Tracing II movement phrase materials related to creation of the complex choreography in Catching Butterflies and Other Things That Move.
References: https://maidadance.com/works/phase-tracing-movements-title/

Catching Butterflies and Other Things That Move:
1979 – “Fast paced dance of a recurring movement phrase where dancers interrupt and obstruct the motion of other dancers. The movements used to interrupt and those movements that are interrupted are both manipulated and employed in the structural development of the choreography.” (Program)

The choreography originated out of movements from Phase Tracing II – a phrase created by Brook Andrews that moves horizontally across the space.  This cast featured Brook Andrews, John Bailey, Maida Withers, JoAnn Sellars, and Betty Tittsworth. Later dancers included Don Zuckerman.

The idea is that all movements are equal in value. The “dance” movement interrupted by someone grabbing an arm and the grabbing gesture all have equal value as dance and can be danced independent of the function of interruption. The movements required to interrupt and stop a dancer became movements in the choreography when they did not interrupt a dancer.

John Bailey, noted visual artist and one of the founders of Maida Withers Dance Construction Company, hand painted the gorgeous costumes.  Each costume was based on an actual butterfly.  John Bailey is known widely for his painting of the head/face of Marilyn Monroe on the hair salon building on Connecticut Avenue in Washington, DC. Maida Withers owns two of these photos given to her by John (see information about this noted iconic painting below).

Maida…2025 “I loved this work.  Clean and clear movements.  Very much enjoyed being “interrupted and interrupting others,” quickly and quietly with ease and dignity! Costumes are in the DCCo collection.” (6/7/2025)

Television PSA states: (https://vimeo.com/90679290)
Maida Withers presents CONCERT OF DANCE featuring the Dance Construction Company;  February 28 & March 1 at 8:00 pm and March 2 at 5:00 and 8:00 pm, 1979.  Studio Theatre, Building K at GWU, 817 23rd Street NW, Washington, DC featuring Maida Withers Dance Construction Company.

1980 – Review, Alan M. Kreigsman, Washington, Post:
City Dance ’80 presents MWDCCo in the Warner Theatre  sponsored by Washington Performing Arts Society, May 9, 1980 at 8:00 pm. Liz Lerman was the Artistic Advisor. That cast included Brook Andrews, Kathryn Hartman, Anne McDonald, Vincent Wineglass, Maida Withers, Don Zuckerman. (Catching Butterflies is NOT confirmed for this venue — Maida Withers)

Videos include:  PSA; Rehearsal in Building K;  Rehearsal in Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre.


Don Zuckerman

Brook Andrews AnnMcDonaldandBrookAndrewsAnn McDonald and Brook AndrewsDon Zuckerman, Maida Withers, Brook Andrews

John Bailey, founding member of MWDCCo, and artist for hand-painted costumes for  Catching Butterflies and Other Things That Move, is a visual artist known widely for his portrayal of the Marilyn Monroe mural, located at 2602 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington D.C, depicts pop culture icon Marilyn Monroe on the upper outside wall of Salon Roi.^[1] It was installed in 1981 by artist John Bailey. It was commissioned by Charles Stinson for Salon Roi’s owner, Roi Barnard’s 40th birthday.^[2]

In 2001, the Woodley Park Neighborhood Association donated funds and brought Bailey back to restore the mural to its original vibrancy, as it had faded greatly.^[3] New lights, donated by Starwood Urban, were installed to illuminate the mural at night. The Chipotle Mexican Grill on the corner of Connecticut Ave. and Calvert St., located below the mural, pays for the ongoing electrical costs for the lighting.^[3]
The mural has gained widespread fame as a Washington D.C landmark. It is a stop on the Old Towne Trolley tourist bus, and is consistently reproduced in paintings, T-shirts, calendars and postcards.^[4] It was voted as the first runner-up in the Washington City Paper‘s Reader’s Poll: Best Mural of D.C 2014.^[5]

What the press is saying

D.C. Dance Fever "After a jubilant kickoff celebration last Saturday afternoon, City Dance '80 continues its celebration with three nights of performances at Washington's Warner Theatre. Ten companies plus a world premiere will be featured in the three consecutive concerts, beginning tonight, Thursday, May 8, 1980 at 8:00 pm." Carolyn Kelemen

The Washington Performing Arts Society will present ten resident dance companies plus a world premiere for City Dance'80 during the festival which continues Friday and Saturday at 8:00 pm." Arlington-Alexandria Calendar