Dance & Choreography – Afton Coombs

Out of the Box

“Out of the Box” is a dance and physical comedy piece about rejecting facial recognition technology and stepping outside of prescribed boundaries.

This piece was originally developed as part of the performance coursework at Pasadena City College under the mentorship of Professor Cheryl Banks-Smith.

Choreographer: Afton Coombs

Dancers: Afton Coombs, Tylei Morris, Thomas Ng, Zhipeng (Joyce) Zhou, Sadie Browne, Stephanie Chan, Nicole Davis, Mikyla Mendoza, Kate Sandoval

Film: Afton Coombs (film, editing); Tylei Morris (voiceover)

Videographer: Brad Wallace

Song: Livin’ High by Jazztronik with edits by Afton Coombs

Loop: A Movement Score

“Loop” is a movement score created for dance coursework in improvisation at Pasadena City College with Professor Sarah Leddy. In this score, dancers are given instructions on a slip of paper prior to beginning. The instructions are known only to each dancer, and each dancer is free to move however they like so long as the instruction is followed.

Since the instructions are proximity-based and often in conflict, this creates constant movement. However, stable states (or “loops”) do exist where all rules could be satisfied at the same time. In such a state, the dancers reach equilibrium and can maintain a position or movement sequence indefinitely. It is the dancers’ task to find and maintain such a loop of equilibrium.

Music: Nemo’s Dreamscapes

Untitled Stim Piece

“Untitled Stim Piece” is about my personal experience with neurodivergence and masking. This piece was displayed as a film and performed live at the Body and Presence exhibit through Santa Clarita Arts from November to December 2024.

Dancer and choreographer: Afton Coombs

Song: Bach’s Cello Suite No. 1 in G Minor (the Prelude) performed and recorded by Ailbhe McDonagh

Soundboard

“Soundboard” is a playful tap dance duet, partially choreographed and partially improvised.

Dancers and choreographers: Afton Coombs and Sadie Browne

Videographer: Brad Wallace

Song: Baião Destemperado by Barbatuques

Traffic Jammer

“Traffic Jammer” is a combined fashion design and movement piece. The clothing designs are based on work by security researcher Kate Rose, and the images on these pieces trigger automatic license plate readers with artistically “junk data.” The clothing was used as part of a dance performance developed through and supported by Culture Flow Projects in spring of 2024.

Dancers: Nicole Davis, Mikyla Mendoza, Kate Sandoval, Mari Maria, Afton Coombs, Celia Duran, Kirk Patrick “Patches” Viloria, Tylei Sade Morris

Music: RISING by Fox Capture Plan

Clothing design, film visuals: Afton Coombs

Hopebeats

“Hopebeats” is a dance-poem collaboration between writer M. Lopes da Silva and dancer Afton Coombs. It uses spoken poetry and percussive dance movement in conversation with one another to tell a story about community and hope.

M. Lopes da Silva can be found online at mlopesdasilva.com