Bright Lights, Big Program

Nebula Dance Lab returns to the big stage with humanity and a defined approach.

WORDS Leila Drake

Throughout their 11 seasons as a creative incubator for dance and movement in Santa Barbara, Nebula Dance Lab has consistently presented stories based around individuals seeking and finding community. With their latest premiere Humanity  on November 4 at the Lobero Theatre, Founder and Artistic Director Devyn Duex has remained dedicated to this identity yet found ways to expand the artistic breadth of the company. A production inspired by Charles Dickens’ “The Child’s Story”, Humanity follows a solo protagonist on a journey through New York City, illuminating the power of being present and the unifying strength of celebrating our differences.
 
Choreographer Chloé Roberts is a creative force all her own – currently in Paris on a Fulbright Scholarship while pursuing a PhD in European History. When she is back on the Central Coast, you can find her teaching and choreographing her way through Santa Barbara’s various dance studios in her signature upbeat style. Her work for Humanity was eclectic and uplifting, just the right blend of crowd-pleasing plus quality craftsmanship. It was entertaining and soulful, giving Nebula’s talented dancers numerous opportunities to showcase their own individual talents. Roberts choreographs with a flair for Broadway jazz and the subtlety and nuance of refined contemporary dance. The inclusion of aerial work by Rachyl Pines and lively tap dancers led by Karyn Laver of The Dance Network added delightful diversity to the program and lent a hand to the community-themed program. It was a refreshing and lighthearted evening, one that easily brought the Lobero Theatre crowd to its feet at the curtain call.
 
Opening the program was the premiere of “Quantum”, choreographed by Meredith Cabaniss, another local creative powerhouse who continues to impress with her multidisciplinary work in choreography, performance, lighting, and media design. “Quantum” was a meditative journey through physicality that showcased her dancer’s exceptional skills at full-bodied movement coupled with exquisite detail work and strong technical training.
 
Bravo to Devyn Duex for curating and producing this inspiring program. It was vibrant and fun, entertaining and enjoyable, and just the right way for Nebula Dance Lab to return to the theater.