Dollhouse
ORGANIZED BY NATALIE HANSON, MATTHEW BAILEY, AND GAYLE ROCZ
MARCH 11TH - APRIL 15TH, 2022
Dollhouse, organized by Natalie Hanson, Matthew Bailey, and Gayle Rocz, examines the dualities of online activism–the heightened awareness of a collective public consciousness and the potential harm media in infinitely reproducible formats can inflict. Blurring the lines between authentic engagement and performative activism, Dollhouse gestures toward the fun and failure of distilling the complexities of personhood in a post, story, or reel against the backdrop of an all-encompassing audience.
The exhibition grounds itself in four performances, each of which will happen concurrently in physical and virtual space. Incorporating movement, video, and live-streaming to expose the incongruities of a life lived online, Dollhouse questions questions whether we can remedy the problems of the world we live in while desperately devoted to building a virtual one.
Generator Grant programming is presented with support from the Nebraska Arts Council and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
Performance Images
Photos: Debra Kaplan
About the Artists
Gayle Rocz (she/her/hers) is a dance artist, scholar, and educator currently based in Omaha, Nebraska. Gayle graduated from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in 2020 with a Bachelor of Arts in Dance and English. While at UNL, Gayle auditioned and performed in pieces choreographed by Jenna Riegel, Jennifer Nugent, Kayvon Pourazar, and others. Her most recent collaborations and projects consist of working with local artists and companies in the Omaha and Lincoln areas, including: SloDance, tbd. dance collective, The Moving Truck with Lauren Simpson, and the virtual concert experience, Sigh, Sigh, Kiss! for the band Court the Muse.
Natalie Hanson/Facade Queen (she/her/hers) is a multidisciplinary theatre, music, and dance artist from Tacoma, Washington residing in Omaha. Natalie’s choreographic and directing work was last featured in TBD Dance Collective’s Making Space virtual event with her piece entitled For James. She is also an actor and teaching artist with the Rose Theater. Recent Theatre credits include It’s a Wonderful Life, (Actor 7) Howie D: Back in the Day (Pollyanna) and Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus (Ensemble) with the Rose Theater. Natalie has worked with Teatro Vista, Comedy Dance Chicago, and Matter Dance company in Chicago where she previously resided. Recently, she was also nominated for “Outstanding New Artist” for the OEAA awards. You can find Natalie’s self produced music under her artist name Facade Queen, and her sister duo group Court the Muse on all streaming platforms.
Matthew Bailey (he/they) is a multi-hyphenate creative based in Omaha, Nebraska by way of Springfield, Ne. He graduated from the University of Nebraska - Lincoln with a BFA in art; emphasis in graphic design. He is a freelance graphic designer who specializes in branding, video, and illustration for entrepreneurs, small business, and nonprofits. You can find his work at worksofanomaly.com