In Edgewater, Chicago, lies the historic Gunder House, a Classical Revival-style mansion built in the early 20th century. Commissioned by Samuel Gunder, the president of Pozzinni Pharmaceutical Company, and designed by architect Myron Church, this landmark home is now the site of a unique performance experience called ROOMS by dropshift dance.
ROOMS offers visitors a chance to explore the mansion freely for the first half-hour, guided only by the subtle glow of LED lights and the intriguing objects scattered throughout the rooms. From unfinished weavings to colored glass shards and a pink plastic pig that never takes flight, each space tells a story of its own.
As visitors wander through the house, they eventually gather in the library where three dancers, Andrea Cerniglia, Christina Chammas, and Alexandra Claiborne-Naranjo, begin to arrange objects in front of mirrors. Each item, from VHS tapes to friendship bracelets, serves as a trigger for memories and emotions, creating a shrine of sorts to the past.
The dancers then unfold ovoid fabrics and drape them over themselves, forming shapes like tents or forts that symbolize the intimate, internal lives of the performers. Inspired by the sense memory of domestic spaces, ROOMS offers a glimpse into the personal histories and emotions that dwell within the walls of the Gunder House.
This innovative performance, directed by Andrea Cerniglia, shares glimpses of future projects like DWELL/burrow (2022), bloom (2023), and objects (2023), inviting visitors to reflect on their own sense of home and belonging. Through movement, objects, and fabric, ROOMS explores the intersection of memory, space, and identity in a truly immersive and engaging way.
In addition to ROOMS, Chicago theater and dance enthusiasts have a variety of other performances to look forward to, from the Royal Shakespeare Company’s return to Chicago Shakes to Music Theater Works’ production of Little Shop of Horrors. Each show offers a unique perspective on the human experience, inviting audiences to explore new worlds and emotions through the power of live performance.
