Where We Choose to Stand

Where We Choose to Stand
By Penny Chivas & Collaborators

A powerful new dance-theatre show inspired by climate activism and political change. Blending movement, music, real stories, and moments of audience connection, it invites us to reflect on the choices we make—and what it means to stand together today.

"In a world that's as obsessed with empowerment as it is with spectacle, this softly Boalian play of subjectivity has real potency." Douglas Rogers, The Skinny
★★★★★

Lighting Design Laurie Loads

Composer Nicolette Macleod
Ecoscenograhy Mona Kastell

Produced by the Rural Touring Agency

Composer Nicolette Macleod

Ecoscenographer: Mona Kastell

Producer: Sheena Miller (the Rural Touring Agency)

Sustainability Collaborator: Katy Dye

Outside Eye: Skye Reynolds

Choreographic Mentorship: Dora Frankel

Dramaturg: Emma Jayne Park

Audio Cleaner: Sonia Killmann

Marketing & PR: Wendy Niblock

Project support workers: Amy Dakin Harris & Hannah Deus Draper

Thanks to Patricia Suarez, Anne Kjær and Alasdair Sim and Collaborator Workshops

‘Where we choose to stand’ is an ambitious dance theatre work inspired by climate activism amid political upheaval. Embedded in Nicolette Macleod’s evocative soundscape are first hand accounts from people from across the UK who have been involved in direct action, amplifying the voices of those often silenced for their actions. Through audience interaction, ‘Where we choose to stand’ challenges audiences to reflect on where they stand, asking how we position ourselves in moments of crisis. This urgent work highlights individual voices caught within a crowd, creating a timely exploration of personal and collective responses to the climate crisis.

Development of the work has been supported by Dance City (Newcastle), The Work Room (Glasgow), City Moves (Aberdeen), Tramway (Glasgow), Dance Base (Edinburgh) and the National Lottery through Creative Scotland.

“Penny is a serious and committed dance artist creating work in an essential area, highlighting climate and environmental collapse. Time is never wasted and observations and provocations from my side are always 'received' and pondered upon. The dialogue is rewarding. We then lay the outline for the next steps; Penny conducts everything at the highest professional level and is a delight to work with." - Dora Frankel

Audience responses to the work after sharing at City Moves in January 2024:

“Endurance, discomfort honest, silence, control, pressure, cyclical, connection, collective action, informed, empathy, constrained, passionate, scary, addictive, intriguing, quietly powerful, intense, moving, relevant, brave, passionate.”