Pirouetting industrial cranes, stacks of squashed cubes of demolished cars as mini- stages, metal shearers as musical accompaniment, and a pianist in a dump truck.

Squonk Opera and modern dance troupe No Language get interdisciplinary in a Pittsburgh recycling yard on the blue collar side of town. Reflecting on the themes of consumption, waste and recycling, the Squonkers get down and dirty in this intense, site-specific piece.

Created in 1995, Premiered at Keystone Iron and Metal Recycling Yard

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"a playful melange of music, dance and machinery" - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

"an art opening/monster truck show" - In Pittsburgh

"a one-time only extravaganza of post-industrial nostalgia, gruesome caution and infectious high jinks" - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

The Band

Vocals
Kate Aronson

Electric Bass
Brian Berkheiser

Keyboard
Jackie Dempsey

Acoustic & Electronic Percussion
Sean Brennan

Flute, Sax, Wind Synth
Steve O’Hearn


The Team

Music
Jackie Dempsey with Squonk Opera

Design & Staging
Steve O’Hearn

Concept Development
Steve O’Hearn, Jackie Dempsey, Kate Aronson, Brian Berkheiser, Sean Brennan

Lighting Design
John Evans

Lyrics
Kate Aronson with Squonk Opera

Sound Design
John Heaney

Choreographers
Lori Brungard & John Evans

Dancers
Lori Brungard, Alan Draper, Kate Kobak, Heidi Pebbler & Ella Breslove