La esencia de ‘Like Getting Hit by a Bus’
Turning drama into satire, finding a spark of humor in adversity and decorating an event as serious as a car accident with the magic of art and laughter is the primary objective of artist Sarah Stearns with her work ‘Like Getting Hit by a Bus ‘. This dance piece not only tells a story of personal improvement, but also establishes a sharp social critique in relation to the precariousness of the artistic world. The work is part of the EnDansa cycle, which takes place in the Sala Versus Glòries, a recognized stage space.
A multidisciplinary artist
Sarah Stearns is an artist who has forged her path in the field of physical theater in the United States. With a long career that includes works that fuse dance and theater, she defines herself as passionate about movement, space and dance, as well as the study of the trajectories of marginal groups. Together with the Ukrainian Anna Tereshchenko, she also developed ‘FronTerra’, which is framed within the same cycle in which they are currently presenting her new work. Her artistic approach is truly fascinating, as it covers different aspects ranging from contemporary dance to science.
A trip to Barcelona
With a degree in acting that she completed in Philadelphia, Sarah brings with her a solid training in classical theater, but her attraction to physical theater, especially the methodology of Jacques Lecoq, took her to Barcelona. This city became her home almost ten years ago when she decided to join the newly discovered talent of the Berty Tovias Theater School, where she met Anna Tereshchenko, with whom she would later found the Astra theater company.
The creation of the Astra company
The meeting of Stearns and Tereshchenko was not fortuitous. During the period of confinement due to the Covid-19 pandemic, they realized that they were neighbors and, in those permitted outings, they began to share their desire to create. Both had seen how their work was fading, and acting together, they decided to join forces to form the Astra theater company and give life to this new work that explores the challenges of being a migrant in a new country.
Exploring the concept of borders
The creative process they shared focused on reflecting on what it means to emigrate, addressing the bureaucratic, cultural and linguistic challenges that many people face on their journey. Both Sarah and Anna, being foreigners in Catalonia, decided to evaluate from a comprehensive perspective what it means to be a migrant in a new land. They thoroughly investigated the visible and invisible borders, as well as the social and scientific contexts that intertwine in these experiences.
Invisible borders and their relevance
For Anna Tereshchenko, a native of Ukraine, borders have a very deep meaning, given that she comes from a country that is facing a war conflict, and whose identity has been affected by the dissolution of the Soviet Union. For her part, Sarah also raises the American social analysis, where migration is a topic in constant debate, often marked by exclusion. Together, they seek to observe and represent the migrant experience and how these situations make it difficult to build a new identity and life.
The language of art as a bridge
Both artists present their work as a journey to a new land, in which the public can reflect on the fluidity of borders and the difficulty of starting from scratch in a foreign country. Through art, they seek to generate empathy, remembering that anyone could find themselves in an immigration situation, whether by choice or necessity. The approach they take is deliberately open, allowing viewers to project their own experiences onto the plot.
Resonance with migratory nature
In the creation of the work they were also inspired by the behavior of migratory birds. Although they initially thought that these beings knew no boundaries, upon investigation, they discovered that they face their own limitations and obstacles. This idea served as a metaphor for immigration challenges; Like birds, people encounter barriers that make their path to a new home difficult. Birds, often influenced by air currents and environmental changes, became symbolic in creating choreography that reflected their movement patterns.
Differences in the artistic field
When comparing the art scenes between the United States and Barcelona, Sarah observes that although both places face precariousness and the struggle for opportunities, the way in which each one deals with it is different. In Catalonia, there are support networks for the art world that are not found in the American context. However, for an artist who does not have nationality, bureaucratic barriers and the necessary paperwork are an ever-present obstacle.
An autobiographical work
The experience that served as a milestone for Sarah to create ‘Like Getting Hit by a Bus’ was her own accident: a bus ran over her, running over her feet and hitting her in the face. This experience left her in a state of vulnerability from which, for a long time, it was difficult for her to recover. In an unexpected turn of events, her uncertain situation prompted her to explore new forms of expression through dance. This art form allowed him to release his frustration and, over time, reinvent himself and adapt to her new reality.
A linguistic integration approach
Although the original work premiered in Sweden in English, the arrival in Barcelona required Sarah to adapt the language to bring the narrative closer to its new context. The duality of languages that she presents becomes a representation of her everyday reality and maintains the sense of the environment in which the story took place. This change allowed it to resonate with local audiences through her personal story of survival.
Laughter in the midst of adversity
Although the topic may seem dark and serious, Sarah seeks to introduce comic elements into her story. Through audience interactions and a light tone, she turns difficult moments into opportunities for laughter. The connection between tragedy and comedy is a common thread that relieves tension and makes the experience more accessible for those who attend the play.
The vindication of art
Crossing the border between physical instability and job insecurity, Sarah offers a declaration of love to all artists who have felt that uncertainty in their careers. By exploring these feelings in the context of dance, she projects a message of struggle and resilience that can resonate with many, regardless of her artistic discipline. It is a sincere reflection of the difficulties that come with being an artist in such a competitive world.
The title and its meaning
The title ‘Like Getting Hit by a Bus’ evokes a metaphorical feeling that personifies the toughness of facing adversity in life. In English, the phrase is used to describe drastic or painful situations, while in the play it also takes a literal meaning, highlighting the impact the accident had on his life. This duality allows Sarah to connect with her audience on a deeper level.
How to purchase tickets
For those interested in experiencing this artistic journey, tickets are available on the Sala Versus Glòries website. Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this reflection on life, migration, and resilience through dance and theater.