Robert Abrams: What is your role in the show?

Karen Fuhrman: Artistic Director

RA: Have you collaborated with anyone to create your PIFA presentation?

KF: Always! My technical director, Aaron Verdery and I discuss different options based on creative impulses and messages, the of the turn of the century French theme, physics…and how to mesh the vision with constraints of gravity.

RA: Who have you collaborated with to create your PIFA presentation?

KF: Jay Wahl, Elieen Harris (both of Kimmel Center), Technical Director- Aaron Verdery, and all my dancer/aerialists …as the process develops, we collaborate through out!

RA: What has this collaboration allowed you to achieve that would not have been possible without it?

KF: Utilizing our best traits. We simply couldn't do it with out each other.

RA: In your art that you are presenting at PIFA, what is unexpected?

KF: My oh my. We are on the side of a 90 foot wall! We toy with different ideas of perspective. Bringing the audience to a world where gravity alters- or might not even exist at all.

RA: What is "new" about the art you are presenting at PIFA?

KF: Grounded Aerial is in equal parts a combination of theater, aerial and dance. I believe this is new. I usually say, "Come for the spectacle, stay for the story."

RA: What is the connection between your show at PIFA and Paris between 1910 and 1920?

KF: the transitory energy. Like a train station….or current day airport feeling… The new era of movement and excitement is the feeling that I focused on. Also-the music and costumes echo this theme.

RA: If audience members were seeing your PIFA show for the second time, what should they pay special attention to in order to enhance their appreciation of your art?

KF: only one night! April 7th!! 10:00 pm!!

RA: Does your art have an activist message?

KF: not an activist message- more just the message to be able to shift perspective…that ability makes it all more interesting…

RA: Do you work with schools or children?

KF: all types (adults and children) and any level.

RA: Please describe your educational work.

KF: elementary schools, universities, professional workshops, circus schools, dance conservatories, theater schools…and "non dancers"

RA: What else would you like people who are thinking about purchasing a ticket to your show to know about your art?

KF: About Insectinside the last week of April. See Groundedaerial.com for more information.

To purchase a ticket to this show, go to www.pifa.org/events/980191069.
To purchase tickets to all PIFA dance events, go to www.pifa.org/events?bucket_id=1.
For more information about Grounded Aerial, go to Groundedaerial.com.
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Photo © & courtesy of Unknown