Contemporary Canadian Dance Duo Bare Nerve continue to push Boundaries with ‘Hard Wire’ 

Ottawa Dance Directive is thrilled to be presenting its 50th production of Series Dance 10 with Hard Wire. Choreographed and performed by Emma Kerson and Jane-Alison McKinney, Hard Wire promises to captivate audiences over a three-day run beginning September 19.

Series Dance 10 has been Ottawa’s intimate stage for producing risky and thought-provoking works for over 14 years. A place where local, national, and international touring artists have come to perform and share workshops with the community.

Hard Wire follows two scientists as they embark on a psychological journey through the study of rocks, permanence, and the stark reality of a world grappling with an environmental crisis. The production draws audiences into an archaeological dig that slowly transforms into a poignant reflection on life and humanity’s failure to respond effectively to the climate emergency.

Through the lens of two millennial women, the piece explores the overwhelming challenge of reconciling with humanity’s widespread inaction and deflection.

The unique blend of choreography and storytelling in Hard Wire emerges from the creative collaboration of Kerson and McKinney, who founded Bare Nerve in 2019. The duo create multifaceted, visceral performance works that confront urgent issues while exploring the emotional and psychological depths of human experience. The result is a raw, piercing performance that asks critical questions about our role in shaping the future and whether we will take action before it’s too late.

Lighting design by Noah Feaver and a striking musical composition and performance by Germaine Liu heighten the intensity of the performance. The soundscape is further enhanced by the work of composer and sound designer Mark Zurawinski, with additional sound and set design contributions from Kerson and McKinney themselves.

The production’s set, constructed by Cory Hudson, becomes a central part of the narrative, evoking the feeling of a dig site where the weight of history and the present crisis collide. Dramaturgy by Daniel MacIvor, with creative insights from Syreeta Hector and Heidi Strauss, rounds out the artistic team.

The performance itself is deeply influenced by excerpts from Stone: An Ecology of the Inhuman by J.J. Cohen, a text that looks at how stones are typically seen as inert and lifeless but play a vital role in our ecological and cultural landscapes. The production also draws from the iconic film Thelma and Louise (1991), using its themes of defiance and rebellion to underscore personal and collective struggles.

Hard Wire debuted in Toronto with Citadel + Compagnie in 2023, and the production was honed through residencies at Shawbrook Residential in Ireland, the National Ballet of Canada’s Open Space, and Arts Orillia’s Dance + Design.

Kerson and McKinney’s Hard Wire is yet another thought-provoking, physically charged performance from the duo, who have presented their works at various platforms across Canada, including SummerWorks, Tangente, ODD, and the Guelph Dance Festival, among others. They have become known for works that push boundaries, making them key figures in contemporary Canadian dance.

Hosting Hard Wire is part of Ottawa Dance Directive’s ongoing commitment to fostering innovation in contemporary dance while creating opportunities for artists to engage in critical dialogue and explore new forms of expression.

From September 19 to 21, Hard Wire will ask thought-provoking hard questions, offer no easy answers, and leave a lasting impact on the audience. It is a rare opportunity to engage with critical themes in the medium of dance, urging us all to reflect on the future we are building—or failing to build—together.

For tickets to any of the three Hard Wire performances, click here.

Photo: Francesca Chudnoff

Hard Wire:
Thursday, September 19, Friday, September 20, and Saturday, September 21, 2024

WHERE: ODD, 2 Daly Avenue
TIME: Doors open at 7 p.m., performance begins at 7:30 p.m.
TICKETS: $25 and $35