HOLDTIGHT presents together : un/tethered

Interdisciplinary and immersive dance-theater company, HOLDTIGHT, returns from NYC to make their World Premiere of together : un/tethered.

together : un/tethered explores our ties to the world and each other. These tethers connect us, but can be altered, cut and reconnected. Weaving movement, live and original music, immersive theater, personal narrative, visual arts and participation, the audience is taken on an evocative journey to celebrate grief and joy. 

Inspired by the work of prolific environmental scientists, eco-psychologists, indigenous communities, activists, writers, and others, un/tethered marries high quality performing arts with participation -- tasks incorporating environmental and psychological reflection, expression, and ritual. This partnership transforms the audience from removed spectator to empathetic participant. 

un/tethered is composed of three distinct parts, each of which can be experienced individually and will premiere in Denver over the course of 2024, culminating in a durational, epic work in 2025. The first section, together : un/tethered, will make its World Premiere this April at The Studio Loft at The Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Arts Complex in Denver, Colorado with the support of Denver Arts & Venues. un/tethered is HOLDTIGHT’s most sustainable production to date, incorporating natural elements such as food-scrap dyed set pieces and costumes, reclaimed set materials and more.

Founded in 2016 and led by Gwendolyn Gussman, HOLDTIGHT illuminates the intersection of art, environmental activism, psyche and body through the interconnected nature of various perspectives and identities. HOLDTIGHT has collaborated with over 40 acclaimed artists, including Grammy and Emmy-award winners, in genres such as dance, theater, music, scenography, video design, visual arts, sculpture, lighting, digital rendering, and the culinary arts.

The company’s repertoire includes site-specific work created for non-traditional performance spaces including an 1800’s carriage house, an armory, historic mansions and unconventional theaters. Since its founding, HOLDTIGHT has created and premiered eight evening-length immersive works, including the Nourishment series. HOLDTIGHT has been presented nationally at The Cell Theatre, The Olympic Auditorium Complex, Carroll Hall, MOVE! Dance and Arts Space, Church Street School for Music and Art, The Wadsworth Museum, YourMove Festival, HiArtist, and more. From 2020-2022, HOLDTIGHT was Artist-in-Residence at The Cell Theatre in New York City. In 2023 HOLDTIGHT was Artist-in-Residence at Carroll Hall in Bushwick, Brooklyn, where they began building un/tethered. HOLDTIGHT maintains an initiative to foster conversations and community beyond performance experiences; HOLDTIGHT hosts quarter-annual Community Events and offers open-level educational workshops.