Undefined Fraction
World Premiere
By Loco7 Dance Puppet Theatre Company (USA/Colombia)
Inspired by Pedro Calderón de la Barca’s
Spanish-language play, Life’s a Dream
Conceived By Federico Restrepo & Denise Greber
Directed, Choreographed & Designed By Federico Restrepo
Music Composed by Tareke Ortiz
Tracing patterns of inequality, the play reflects on justice, guilt, punishment, and the conflict between free will and fate. The underlying philosophical question is of whether the so-called real world is actually an illusion, a dream from which we will wake some day. And if this is indeed some kind of test where our true character will be revealed when we die, how should we act here and now?
Featuring Amira Aziza, Ale Fips, Denise Greber, Chris Ignacio,
Hope Kroog, Jessica Krueger, Chris Rehmann,
Federico Restrepo and José Rivera Jr.
Musicians Juan Bayon, Tareke Ortiz and Chriz Zaborowski.
Puppet fabrication assistants: Carolina Restrepo and Ale Fips
Under the direction and vision of Federico Restrepo, Loco7 has been active since 1985. Loco7’s mission has been to develop puppetry as an instrument for the dancer, to create a style that incorporates dance and design. Using rhythmic music, dance, body puppets, and larger-than-life marionettes, Restrepo’s choreography extends beyond the body of the dancer. Restrepo creates animated movement in an ever-changing and surreal stage environment to address themes of South American culture and history, the immigrant experience, and urban life. As an artist-in-residence at La MaMa, Restrepo has premiered over 15 works to date.
Discover more about Loco7 on their website!
Undefined Fraction is supported by The Jim Henson Foundation, The New York State Presenters Network Presenter Artist Partnership Project made possible through a regnant from the New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature, Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Process Space residency program, The Fund, supported by New York State Council on the Arts, and Manhattan Community Arts Fund, supported by New York City Department of Cultural Afairs – both administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and individual donors.
La MaMa Puppet Festival
The La MaMa Puppet Festival showcases new contemporary puppet theatre by artists from around the world. Curated by Denise Greber, focusing on diversifying the voices, stories, and perspectives shared onstage, with the goal of uplifting marginalized identities within the puppet community.
“The most captivating stars of the show are undoubtedly the dynamic puppets made from an eclectic mix of materials…The craftwork is inspiring and the puppeteering is impressive.”
“I got to pay a visit to one of my all-time favorite indie theaters, La MaMa E.T.C., for a performance of Undefined Fraction, which is part of the company’s 2015 Puppet Series. This blend of edgy puppetry, physical theater, and dance–performed to the gorgeous live accompaniment of musicians Juan Bayon, Chris Zaborowski, and Tareke Ortiz (who is also the composer)–is an exemplar of the kind of meditative hybrid installation/happening/drama that has been a mainstay of this East Village institution for decades.”
– Martin Denton, NY Theater Now
La MaMa Blogs:
6 Questions with Denise Greber
First Look at Undefined Fraction Photos
Roots of Inspiration: Undefined Fraction and La Vida es Sueño