'In the Context of Life' dance/theater piece from Pam Kuntz to debut Friday

"In the Context of Life," the latest work from Western Washington University faculty member Pam Kuntz, tells the compelling stories of 15 community members who have been challenged to make public those things we don’t normally talk about.

It goes onstage beginning this Friday, Sept. 24, at 7: 30 p.m. at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center at 1314 Harris Ave. in Fairhaven. Admission is $12. Tickets are available at Village Books, the Community Food Co-op and at the door.

The dance/theater piece is inspired by a 2007 research project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, that invited Bellingham citizens to visualize their unique "health map." A world of information emerged from these maps. Different from other forms of research, these maps did not produce numbers or charts or graphs. They delivered images, emotions, ideas and passions. The results showed how people understand and shape their lives — everyday things we take for granted and never talk about. Kuntz teams up with Richard Scholtz (co-director of the initial research project) to explore the project's compelling results through text, photography, video, sound and dance.

Community participants whose stories will be presented include the following: local musicians Rick Hermann and Flip Breskin, along with Flip's mother, Maryann Breskin, a Willows resident; Geof Morgan, director of the Whatcom Community and Family Network; former Bellingham mayor Mark Asmundson; second grade Lowell Elementary School student Warren Rose; retired psychotherapist Linda Adler; Whatcom County Health Officer Greg Stern; Lummi Island mother Kathy Buford; recent Squalicum High School graduate Amanda Carter; hospice nurse Rolling Morgan; PeaceHealth VP Marc Pierson; caregiver Kate Nichols; and graphic artist Rod Burton.

As in past performances, community participants will work with an array of professional artists. Spencer Thun, along with Richard Scholtz, will compose and perform the sound score. Maria McLeod and Stephen Howie, of How Loud Media, will provide videography, and Suzanne Fogarty will provide photography. Dancers include Vanessa Daines, Angela Kiser, and Ella Mahler.

"In the Context of Life" is generously supported by The Bossak Heilbron Charitable Foundation, the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs at Western Washington University and the College of Fine and Performing Arts at WWU.

The piece will be onstage on Sept 24, 25 and 30 and Oct 1, 2, 7, 8 and 9, all at 7:30 p.m. The piece also will be onstage at 2 p.m. Oct. 3 and Oct. 10. Tickets available at Village Books, the Community Food Co-op, and at the door.

Contact Pam Kuntz at (360) 510-4711, kuntzpam@gmail.com or http://www.kuntzandcompany.org for more information.