THE WORK
The Dance Gene is a choreographic research project exploring what draws people to dance across generations, cultures, bodies and styles. Created with local dancers, it gathers personal dance histories through conversation, movement and shared physical practice, transforming them into living portraits of dance communities.
At its heart lies a broader curiosity about human passion and commitment: what draws us towards something, what makes us dedicate ourselves to it, and what keeps that desire alive over time. Through dance, the project explores this deeply human drive, asking whether a shared embodied knowledge — a kind of dance DNA — connects us across bodies, places and generations.
CREDITS
CREATIVE TEAM
THE ARTIST
Valgerður Rúnarsdóttir is an Icelandic choreographer and dancer with an extensive international career. She danced with Iceland Dance Company and for a decade with EASTMAN / Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, and has worked with artists including Erna Ómarsdóttir and Damien Jalet. Her award-winning work spans disciplines and contexts, from independent projects to theatre, film and community-based work. Her current artistic research explores our relationship to dance across generations and the human drive that keeps us moving. Alongside her artistic practice, she works as a producer and project manager across the arts.
TOURING INFORMATION
The work has minimal technical requirements and is highly adaptable to different spaces. Basic stage lighting is sufficient, with a maximum of 1–3 simple lighting changes. As this is a walk-and-talk performance, a sound system and microphones are needed to ensure the performers can be heard clearly throughout the space. No special staging or technical equipment is required. One day in the performance space is needed for get-in, technical setup and rehearsal.
MEDIA
Trailer
Video