Nature Theater explores dance and politics in innovative show

In 2018, Nature Theater of Oklahoma premiered 'No President', a unique ballet production directed by Pavol Liska and Kelly Copper. This performance, primarily set to Tchaikovsky's 'The Nutcracker', employs calisthenics and simple movements to reinterpret classical dance within a contemporary context. The story follows characters who are part of a security team for a valuable theater curtain, exploring themes related to performance, security, and human behavior. The production was partly inspired by the 2016 presidential election and aims to comment on broader behavioral patterns in humanity rather than targeting specific individuals or events. Liska and Copper's approach reflects their dissatisfactions with the treatment of dance in galleries and museums, which often struggle to incorporate it meaningfully into visual art contexts. As they worked on the piece in their apartment in New York, they sought to question what makes a ballet clichéd, ultimately opting for 'The Nutcracker' as a foundational score for the show's choreography. The couple engaged in this project during a tumultuous political climate, with the hope that their dance piece would resonate with audiences grappling with past and present societal challenges. Through a series of intentional and choreographed movements, Liska and Copper challenge both dancers and audience to reconsider what performance means in a modern setting, merging elements of traditional and contemporary dance practices. The endeavor showcases their beliefs that dance encompasses the essence of human experience and that performers should find authenticity rather than merely pleasing an audience.