down here
Choreography by Shannon Hummel in collaboration with 2015 dancers Calia Marshall and Katie Dean and 2025 dancers Ross Honaker and Ammara Shafqat
Music by Bruce Kaphan, MANOISECA, and Hans Bilger
Costumes by Shannon Hummel
“ a rare gem.”
—The New York Times
Shannon Hummel’s down here is a beautifully brutal exploration of relationships, control, and resilience. Originally performed in 2015 by Calia Marshall and Katie Dean at BAM’s Fisher Theatre, the work was hailed as “a rare gem” by The New York Times. This acclaimed duet examines the intense attachments we form—to what we need, what we refuse, and the compromises made to stay true to ourselves while striving to connect with others.
With the help of hundreds of tiny silver dolls, down here makes visible the physical, emotional, and environmental scars left behind as we navigate power, vulnerability, and healing. At its heart, the piece delves into our relationships: with each other, with forces beyond our control, and with our capacity to both harm and heal.