Rolling Thunder – Transformation  USA:  https://vimeo.com/101003244  (14:18 minutes)
Rolling Thunder – Transformation  Brazil:  https://vimeo.com/10232271 (7:35 minutes)

(1992) – “Rolling Thunder intricately weaves rich and layered movement materials in a ritualistic contemporary dance narrative, a new world myth.  The gift, the knowledge of the earth, is brought forth. Those who hear the message change – transforming themselves with the Earth.”  Maida Withers, Program, 1992.

Rolling Thunder” Transformation” USA
Originally, Rolling Thunder “Transformation” was the fourth part of a larger work that includes “Messenger Eagle,” “Spirit Figures,” “Still Rush,” and “Transformation.” The total performance can be viewed on Dance for the Earth: Rolling Thunder “Transformation”  as presented at Thomas Jefferson Community Theater in Arlington, Virginia, February 7 & 8, 1992 (see https:// above)

The metal tubes were discovered by Maida during a birthday celebration for Hilda Thorpe, noted American sculptor and visual artist, in the attic storage space in Thorpe’s studio in Old Town Alexandria.  Original tubes were offered to MWDCCo for our use in the Rolling Thunder project. Hilda had used similar aluminum tubes and objects related to inner workings of architecture as part of her art work.  Exposure of architectural aspects were commonly used and included by artists of her generation.

Rolling Thunder “Transformation”  Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Eco ’92
Rolling Thunder Rolling Thunder “Transformation” was created to be part of performances by MWDCCo for the United Nation’s Earth Summit (Eco ’92)  in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.  Rolling Thunder was staged in Brazil for Eco ’92 with four American dancers (original cast) and five Brazilian dancers who performed on a large outdoor “beach” stage, June 6, 1992, designated for events related to Eco ’92, probably sponsored by the City of Rio de Janeiro. In Brazil we purchased and had cut to specifications, the metal tubes manipulated and worn in Rolling Thunder.  Dancers carried the tubes, wore them as a head dress, played and pounded the metal as a drum and rolled them to create a thunderous sound as part of the choreography.

Brazil 1992:  MWDCCo cooperated with 100 international Artists for Ecology and 60 Brazilian artists for ecology in Brasilia and Rio de Janeiro over a four-week period teaching workshops, creating site events, including events on Sugarloaf Mountain, performing, and participating in a large-scale ECO ’92 “protest” beach parade.

Transformation  “Messenger Eagle” and “Rolling Thunder”


Rio de Janeiro, Brazil “Eco ’92” – Brazil and American Dancers (below)

Rolling Thunder (USA and Brazil cast) Beach Stage Performance in Rio de Janeiro, United Nation’s Eco ’92 Events

Rolling Thunder – Transformation was part of an evening-length work titled, Dance for the Earth. Images from Dance for the Earth are below:

Top Photo:  Spirit Figures (MWDCCo)          Bottom Photo:  Messenger Eagle
Bottom Photo:  Still Rush                                  Dana Tai Soon Burgess
Lorena Cervantes

The top photograph was a section where all figures on sticks were made from recycled materials, in the USA, tree branches and plastic; in Brasilia (no trees) bamboo and rubber remnants.  On the top of the tree limb or bamboo was a head created for the ritual of celebration by dancers.

What the press is saying

Several years ago in New Mexico, choreographer Maida Withers was developing a new "eco-active" dance by exploring the White Sand Dunes near the Mexico border. But to her dismay, she found that her access to the dunes was limited. each morning she was not permitted to enter the area until 9:30 am because the U.S. military was testing SKUD missiles that were later used against Iraq. Withers sandy endeavors may not have helped Kuwait, but she hopes they will help the environment. "The work I'm doing at these sites in a way is a statement of preservation-it's a commitment to the beauty of these wilderness sites." Kim Friedman