BRATTLEBORO — William “Bill” Forchion will take viewers on a philosophical and spiritual journey in “Spirit Dance: A conversation with the ancestors” in Episode 4 of SOLOs, a co-production of the Hooker-Dunham Theater and the Rock River Players.
Forchion's work premieres on Friday, Feb. 5 at 7:30 p.m. on YouTube and Brattleboro Community Television (channel 8/1075) with a discussion immediately following at 8:25 p.m. via Zoom. The link to the YouTube premiere is bit.ly/598-solos.
To get the Zoom invitation, email [email protected]. Information and links are also available at hookerdunham.org.
Organizers from both groups say they are proud to have the opportunity to present Forchion's unique show during Black History Month.
As a talented circus performer, Forchion has performed with many acts, including the Cirque du Soleil. An actor, filmmaker, and philosophical writer, Forchion is also an author, as seen in his book and his one-person show, both titled Billosophy.
“The SOLOs series is a bit of a play on words, since it is the effort of many people working together,” Forchion said in a news release. “This is a period in our lives where all forms of art are needed more than ever, but in-person attendance isn't viable.”
He added that local actors have connected with local directors “to create excellent solo performances rehearsed and filmed on the Hooker-Dunham Theater stage.”
Many of the area's directors have taken on pieces, including Jessica Gelter, Christopher Coutant, Karla Baldwin, Annie Landenberger, Adrienne Major, Carrie Kidd, and Michael Nethercott, as well as Bahman Mahdavi (co-producer of the series) and Forchion.
“It's the combined efforts of the theater, the Rock River Players and BCTV working together that keep the project thriving,” Forchion said. “We're all excited to see the broad audience the SOLOs series is attracting. ”
Next up in the SOLOs series is a music interlude with Travis Laplante, a young tenor saxophone recording artist and frequent contributer of solo saxophone performances at Yellow Barn in Putney. Laplante's performance premieres Friday, Feb. 26 at 7:30 p.m.
Two more shows of short theatrical pieces are in final rehearsals with March show dates. Episode 6 features all-original material, while Episode 7 includes roles that challenge gender role stereotypes and celebrate the nonsense poetry of Lewis Carroll.
For more information, visit hookerdunham.org or rockriverplayers.org.