Dance Fitness vs Dance Performance
5 December, 2023
Over the years there have been various dance fitness crazes. From Five Rhythms to Zumba,
GILLIAN
RHODES
Performer | Storyteller
WHO AM I?
An American artist who has spent 10+ years living in Asia (Cambodia, South Korea, Pakistan).
A trained ballet and contemporary dancer and accomplished choreographer.
An avid reader, content and tech writer, astrophysics enthusiast, polyglot, non-binary and unapologetic supporter of inclusive, equitable spaces.
WHAT DO I DO?
I perform genre-bending dance theatre that prioritizes narrative and emotional arcs.
I create characters and share their stories.
I write and research on a huge variety of topics, from digital arts to cultural exchange.
WHAT CAN I DO FOR YOU?
Commission one of my characters for special events, corporate trainings, advertisements, and more.
Bring one of my productions to a theatre near you.
Write content, both technical and creative, for a variety of applications.
CHARACTERS
JEAN-CLAUDE/PIERROT
Jean-Claude is a 57-year-old mime actor who plays the role of Pierrot the sad clown in a theater in Paris in the mid-1800s. Blissfully unaware of Jean-Claude’s trials, Pierrot is always losing or running after unrequited loves, at once optimistic and tragic.
GIRL IN THE RED DRESS
Ruthless and ambitious, the girl in the red dress is both beautiful and cruel, using her beauty like a whip. Her story explores themes of innocence and girlhood, ambition, and the tragedy of fame, fortune, and loss.
Love the look? Check out character merch at my TeePublic store!
MAN IN THE SUIT
We all know a man in the suit. Loud, crude, overwhelming, bullying, he dominates – until he doesn’t. His journey explores toxic masculinity and corporate slavery.
MONSTER
Monster is the reflection of the other. Alien and unrecognizable, monster is little more than a mirror upon which we throw our prejudices and expectations.
Phone Wallpapers for each character available for download!
PRODUCTIONS
PIERROT’S SHADOW
WITH LOVE FROM GILLIAN
GILLIAN PLUS ONE
THE NAME I GIVE MYSELF
PIERROT’S SHADOW
In 19th century Paris, a young man named Jean-Claude works his way into the mime performances and secures the role of Pierrot, the sad clown. The performance follows the joys and sorrows of Jean-Claude’s career and life, and as he and Pierrot grow ever further apart, he must ask the question: who is Jean-Claude, in the end, and will he ever be free of the character he has come to embody? This production blends live and video elements, featuring Gillian as both Jean-Claude and Pierrot. Set to premiere in 2023.
WITH LOVE FROM GILLIAN
Blending beloved solos like “Pierrot” and “Big Universe Small Human,” live crowd-sourced improvisations, and Gillian’s self-produced short films like “All This Useless Beauty” and “It was all going so well…”, this show is a testament to the incredible range of the artist. Produced previously in Lahore, Pakistan (2021) and Lausanne, Switzerland (2021).
GILLIAN PLUS ONE
A celebration of the incredibly varied artists in the performance industry in Lahore, this production features 5 collaborations and performances with transgender activist Jannat Ali, folk and kathak dancer Safira Rajpoot, architect Abdullah Hassan, visual and performing artist Sarah Mumtaz and preeminent choreographer Wahab Shah. Each collaboration stands on its own, and together tell a story of the strength of performance now and to come. Produced originally in 2022.
THE NAME I GIVE MYSELF
Every day, we are assaulted by images and labels, whether it be from the internet, advertisements, or family and friends. "The Name I Give Myself" is a story about the struggle to dig past the images and expectations others give us and find the true representation of ourselves. Premiered in 2018.
SEARCHING FOR PIERROT
In this one-person coming-of-age play, Gillian plays multiple characters, telling the story of a young boy growing up in the late 19th century. A surprising encounter with the famous sad clown of the theater, Pierrot, sets off a chain of events that leads the boy through the mimes, the freak show, and the opera. He meets a host of colorful and mysterious characters that prompt him to question what it really means to be remarkable, and what it costs.
BLOGS
Tips for Making Memorable Characters for Solo Performances
28 November, 2023
I’ve discussed solo dance performances in this blog before, focusing on how they work and
How to Think of Stories for Dance Performance
21 November, 2023
Have you ever been to a dance performance and left thinking, what was that all
How to Use Movement to Build Characters for Stage and Screen
14 November, 2023
When you are building characters for the stage or the screen, movement is hugely important.