In 2018, I was having conversations with high school students in different areas of the country about the effect gun violence has had on their day-to-day life. Common themes in our discussions were the extreme anxiety and numbness to the violence.

I decided to create a piece with my long-time students at the Diane Kelley Dance Studio. We talked about this piece being a way to wake themselves up; to remind each other that they are alive, that they can ignite change and that they NEED to believe in themselves in order to do so. To wake the world up. Shake them until they hear. Stand tall even when they tell them to be quiet.

These kids worked so incredibly hard, and beautifully, on this piece. Discovering how to dance for something bigger than themselves. Learning that dance, sharing energy, and putting energy into the world around them is a way to be an activist. I feel honored to work with these young artists. The performers in this piece are ages 14-18 years old.

Directed, choreographed, edited by Mary Grace McNally

Filmed by Jenna Maslechko

Danced by students of Diane Kelley Dance Studio (MA)