WesWorks: Forklift Danceworks at Wesleyan

Forklift “finds rhythm in routines and elegance in the everyday.”

—The New York Times

WesWorks was a multi-site, outdoor performance featuring the work, skills, and stories of Wesleyan’s essential workers. Developed through an 18-month residency and a 7-year collaboration with Austin TX-based Forklift Danceworks, WesWorks connects students, staff, and faculty through a community-based dance-making process. The goal of this durational partnership is to cultivate awareness of and appreciation for the labor of our essential workers, improve relationships among employees and students, and encourage collective stewardship of our campus spaces.

This blog is a place to learn about Forklift Danceworks, hear stories from Wes students, faculty and staff who have partnered with Forklift over the years, and get behind-the-scenes with the WesWorks crew of performers and producers. We hope you’ll explore!

Full Performance Video

Join us on May 4th for a live, outdoor screening! Learn more here.

Support for WesWorks comes from Wesleyan’s Center for the Arts, College of the Environment, Physical Plant, SMG Custodial, Allbritton Center for the Study of Public Life, and Dance Department, with additional funding support from the New England Foundation for the Arts.