Scapegoat Garden

Studies in Empathy is a dance-theater adaptation of Sophocles’ play, Antigone. Directed by Deborah Goffe and constructed in collaboration with Damon Honeycutt, Hanna Kivioja-Honeycutt and Sarah Weiss, Studies in Empathy draws on the texts of Sophocles, Jean Anouilh and recent presidential speeches. These texts become an aural quilt through which the story of Antigone and Creon unfold. Cloaked in the modern armor of a three piece suit, and wielding a sword, Creon exploits seductive political power to control and win the favor of the nation, yet finds himself facing three unexpected opponents. Wholly “feminine” in billowing layers of white crinoline, Antigone thinking, Antigone feeling and Antigone doing, labor to integrate all facets and communicate one cohesive identity. Audiences will enter a moving landscape of internal dialogue, public discourse, satirical debates and physical prowess. They will leave having seen through another’s eyes.

Touché, mon ami. (2005)
2 performers
3 sections (with video)
10 minutes

This fast paced work matches the levity of richly colored garments, fancy footwork, and a good dose of flirtation. The piece reinterprets Scapegoat Garden’s repertory in the style of the can-can while examining the tender and combative nature of friendship between two women.

"i want to speak, but . . . there's something i've got to find out" (2005)

“i want to speak, but . . . there’s something i’ve got to find out” (2005)
2 performers
15 minutes

The modular structure of “i want to speak, but . . .” has made it possible for Scapegoat Garden to experiment with the work’s many possible configurations. Excerpting and layering sections to highlight a particular character or relationship, new facets of the work are constantly being revealed. This duet has been the most dynamic of these experiments. All the physicality and humanity of the full length work are captured in this duet.

"Every now and then she takes flight." (2005)

“Every now and then she takes flight.” (2005)
solo performer
40 minute running time for full length work

Deborah Goffe, Artistic Director of Scapegoat Garden, offers this compelling evening of solo works she’s created throughout the past several years. With her characteristic vulnerability, athleticism and craftsmanship, Deborah shares stories that have marked her passage to adulthood. Surrounded by memories, she struggles to attain beauty but finds it, instead, in seemingly “ugly” displays of honesty. This feast of imagery is a gripping rite of passage through faith, innocence and identity.

“energetic . . . with a display of manic poise.”
New Haven Advocate

"i want to speak, but . . . " (2003)

“i want to speak, but . . .” (2003)
3 performers
10 interchangeable sections (with 3 video segments)
40 minute running time for full length work

This multimedia work is an extraordinary integration of dance and theater, awakening the senses in a richly crafted journey that explores fear and desire. Through this journey, the wrestler, the vagrant and the martyr are revealed. Relationships between these three complex characters evolve and both the performers and audience move toward transformation. Artistic Director, Deborah Goffe believes that performers are courageous and vulnerable beings, presenting the internal in full view of the public. Scapegoat Garden displays this courage in “i want to speak but . . .” with the daring of highly trained performers and with the honesty and openness of artistic innovators. At times explosive with physicality and at other times soft spoken and tender, these artists make use of dance, movement, costume, text, video, an eclectic mix of recorded music as well as live vocals to achieve this end.