Adaptations Dance Theater’s ‘Bring it Home’ performance, Aug. 16-18 at ʻĪao Theater

Maui’s contemporary dance company Adaptations Dance Theater (ADT) will present its sixth annual “Bring it Home” dance concert on Aug. 16-18 at the Historic ʻĪao Theater. Showtimes are 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. on Sunday.

“Bring it Home” brings together a professional cast of resident and guest artists to create original contemporary dance works that celebrate the artistry of Maui’s own. The summer residency and concert series is driven by the mission to bring home Maui’s professional contemporary dancers who have sought careers elsewhere due to a historical lack of opportunities at home. “Bring it Home” allows Maui’s current and future artists to see the island as a place where they can flourish professionally and share their artistry meaningfully with their home community.

This year’s “Bring it Home” cast features Maui-based choreographers Hallie Hunt and Katie Whiticar, returning Maui-raised artists Emily McKeon and Madison McGain, guest artists Claire Goldes and Joey Anderson, resident artist Karli Jo List, and apprentice Gabriella Craft. All “Bring it Home” dance artists have ties to Maui and have been working since mid-July to create two original works for the August 16-18 performances.

The opening piece, “The Experiment”, is Hunt’s abstract journey into a world inspired by Frankenstein, robots, AI, parenting, scientific experimentation, collaboration, and friendship.

“In this piece,” Hunt explains, “we embrace the notion that the ability and the right to make choices are what truly make us feel alive. The beauty of progress lies in the process, and by holding our ideas gently, we allow them to evolve into their most fruitful forms.”

Whiticar’s piece also grapples with the notion of the self. Titled, “Did You Make It?”, the work explores the experience of finding one’s truth and learning how to live by it within a culture full of prescribed truths. Audiences can expect a powerful soundscape for which Whiticar’s brother, Matthew Istvan, composed an original song.

Hunt, who is also the co-founder and co-artistic director for the company, attests there is no “right” or “wrong” way to watch dance, and encourages audiences to let the performances wash over them, and allow the ideas to resonate within.

“It’s okay to shed tears or burst into laughter – your response is entirely your own, and every choice you make in your viewing is the right one.”

Hunt continues, “art and creativity don’t need to be judged as “good” or “bad”; they simply need to happen, and we sincerely thank everyone who joins us for being part of this journey as our talented movers take the stage and wholeheartedly devote themselves to this wild exploration of dance.”

Pivot, ADT’s professional development program for young professionals featuring dancers from Maui, O’ahu, California, Chicago, and New York this year, will round out the evening’s program with a work led by choreographer and Co-Artistic Director Ali McKeon Pineo.

Tickets for “Bring it Home” are $35, or $25 for students and seniors, and can be purchased at MauiOnStage.com. Audiences are welcome to stay for a Talk Story session with members of the cast at the conclusion of each performance.

The “Bring it Home” season is supported in part by the County of Maui’s Office of Economic Development and a growing network of individual and business donors who recognize the power of the performing arts and believe in ADT’s mission to sustain a professional home for contemporary dance on Maui. Through its artist residencies, performances, and training programs, ADT builds a permanent home for contemporary dance that is inspired by and reflective of the rich diversity on Maui.

More information on all ADT programs and events, including how to support their work, can be found at AdaptationsDanceTheater.com