This collision of dance and live music investigates the quintessential meaning of ‘I’. Am I my tribe? Am I my genetic blueprint? Am I a random cosmological consequence?
Am I is both at once a perpetual question and a tantalising statement.
Shaun Parker’s gripping choreography is beautifully set against composer Nick Wales’ rich tapestry of reinvented world music performed by fourteen extraordinary musicians and dancers, including guest artist Shantala Shivalingappa.

Musicians/Collaborators: Tunji Beier, Alyx Dennison, Jess Green, Jason Noble, Jessica O’Donoghue, Bree Van Reyk, Nick Wales

Dramaturge   Veronica Neave
Co-Design   Damien Cooper & Shaun Parker
Lighting Design   Damien Cooper
Sound Design   Bob Scott
Costume Design  Anna Tregloan
LX Programmer   Pat Smithers
Rehearsal Director  Craig Bary
Production Manager   Guy Harding
Stage Manager   Terri Herlings
Dancers/Collaborators: Josh Mu, Sophia Ndaba, Jessie Oshodi, Marnie Palomares, Melanie Palomares, Shantala Shivalingappa, Julian Wong, Carl Tolentino (understudy)

ABOUT THE MUSIC
AM I is a work in which I am attempting to blur the musical song lines of old, new, east and west with a live ensemble of seven musicians.
I have tried to define a unique sound within
the ensemble - imagining that the musicians are part of a tribe from a parallel world, pushing them to find new performance practices, singing and playing styles that could be exclusive signatures of that tribe.
Ancient songs of Armenia have greatly influenced and informed the sound of the work. I am attracted to their ethereal quality, which somehow
sits between Western and Middle Eastern scales
- a musical midpoint, which seemed fitting.
I have deconstructed fragments of traditional melodic patterns to create new compositions, blending the percussive and devotional traditions of Indian music with Western Harmonic progressions.
Tribal rhythms of the Middle East and Medieval drone music have also informed the musical process.