the crossing
The Crossing explores the unique bond that exists between Kayah Guenther, a young man with Down Syndrome, and his mentor Gavin Webber, a bond forged through the language of dance and improvisation and the desire for self expression.
Created collaboratively between them, The Crossing is a partly improvised space where the two men intersect and collide, negotiating their mutual desire to communicate in a physical journey that asks us all to re-examine the way we view others.
"tough and uncompromising dance in which no quarter is given"
- Robyn Archer
“The Crossing is about being flexible. There are two men and their life is passion, they fall down, feel anger, sadness then get up and be powerful and support each other. It’s about relationships and trust and being kind to each other.”
- Kayah Guenther
Kayah, a young man with Down Syndrome, uses dance to express the way he sees the world and the way the world sees him. With the support of his mentor, Gavin, Kayah wants to say he is strong, he is masculine, and he is sexual. He also wants people to know he is vulnerable and “not always happy”.
The Crossing examines the unique bond that exists between these two men and the way it has been forged through the language of dance and improvisation. It has been created by Kayah and Gavin to reflect their common interests and their differences. Together they have created a space where they can dance, laugh, wrestle, die and be reborn, become monsters, connect and collide and ultimately negotiate their mutual desire to communicate with each other and everyone else.
2016 arts highlight of the year
Australian book review
Creative team
At The Farm work is made in a collaborative process where everyone brings their expertise without being confined to it. All animals are equal.
Created & Performed by: Kayah Guenther & Gavin Webber
Lighting Design: Chloe Ogilvie
Composition: Ben Ely
The Crossing Premiered at Puerto de Ideas, Chile