As a child, I used to get sent to the principal’s office for belting opera in the middle of class. In the past few years, I have obsessively watched youtube clips of contestants on talent shows like X-Factor and the Voice. The moments where unassuming contestants snap out of their everyday persona and into operatic superstars seem meaningful to me. These moments invite different forms of attention, different ways of seeing and experiencing bodies–as cacophony rather than symphony.

 

 

When I was in fourth grade, I got into an argument with my teacher about the pronunciation of the word “caribou.” When I saw the word in the book, I pronounced it “cara-BAO” as in to “bow” before royalty. My parents pronounced it this way, differently than my teacher who pronounced it “cari-BOO,” and I was convinced they were right and she was wrong because they grew up around these animals. I repeatedly refused to pronounce it the way she did, and I got detention. Recently, I found out that “caribou” and “carabao” are different animals altogether. This is my process for making dance.

 

– Justin Cabrillos

 

Catch Justin Cabrillos in Holdings this Thursday-Saturday at 8pm, as part of a shared evening with Lauren Bakst & Yuri Masnyj!