In 'The Attic,' the choreographer explores the vulnerability of the human body after a life-altering accident.
At the Goodman Theatre, a new kind of physical storytelling is taking shape, one that trades traditional spectacle for a deeply personal exploration of gravity and resilience. Shana Carroll, a renowned circus artist and choreographer, has opened her latest work, 'The Attic: Things I’ve Seen While Lying On My Back,' with a startlingly honest admission: 'I fell once.' This vulnerability serves as the foundation for a production that blends high-level circus standards with the intimate individuality of its performers.
The show moves away from the anonymous perfection often associated with large-scale circus troupes. Instead, Carroll uses the metaphor of an attic—a place for forgotten things and memories—to examine what happens to a performer when the physical body fails or changes. The narrative is driven by the perspective of a 'fallen' artist, finding both sadness and joy in the act of looking upward from the ground. By centering the creative process on the physical limitations and unique histories of the cast, Carroll challenges the audience to see circus not just as a feat of strength, but as a medium for profound emotional expression.
This production marks a significant shift in how regional theaters are integrating experimental physical theater into their season openers. By focusing on the 'things seen while lying on one's back,' Carroll turns a moment of professional trauma into a rich, choreographic landscape. The work emphasizes that the craft of the performer is not just in the successful flight, but in the perspective gained during the recovery and the quiet moments in between.
This story highlights how personal injury and physical vulnerability can be transformed into innovative craft. It encourages makers to find creative strength in their limitations and to use their unique physical histories as a primary source for new work.
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