Seeking a number of performers of all ages, sizes and shapes with a strong sense of focus and stamina.  No particular technique is required.

Rehearsals will take place:
Fri, Sat, Sun June 10, 11 and 12
(Friday from 4-6, Sat. from 11-1 and Sun. from 11-1)
Final rehearsal and dress rehearsal:
Wed. June 22 and Thurs. June 23  4:30-7:30pm

Performance dates for H U G:
Friday and Saturday June 24 and 25 at 6pm
(with a rain date on Sunday June 26 at 2pm)

Project Description:
Watch a 20 minute film version of H U G at www.vimeo.com/julietroost

H U G is a public performance installation that effects social change by spreading a healing message of compassion and human connection. H U G is the distillation of one powerful human gesture that is understood universally and without bias. Surprising park-goers in the midst of their day, H U G travels through Stuyvesant Cove Park. Appearing without warning, pairs embrace in stillness surrounded by dramatic urban nature. They create a seamlessly choreographed grand gesture that sparks a jarring moment of vulnerability easily discernible to those who happen upon it.

H U G relies on two common avenues of communication: personal interaction and electronic messaging. Prior to the performance, personal stories of loss and conflict are collected from the public at hugperformance<at>gmail.com in order to be honored and commemorated. At the performance, the audience is invited to add themselves into the installation and contribute their own memories. The project is an artistic act of public compassion which presents the body as the location where difficult memories dwell. Healing takes place through the physical interaction of individuals immersed in the transformative natural environment of the riverfront park setting.

H U G promotes community and individual healing and creates an opportunity to replace painful memories with new memories of hope. It supports small acts of kindness as the cornerstone of global social change. H U G creates opportunities for the people of a community to practice compassion for others, to collectively mourn its lost members and to memorialize tragic events.

PARTICIPATE in H U G - an open call to the community:

Contribute your own memory of personal loss or conflict that you would like us to heal for you by emailing us at hugperformance<at>gmail.com. Your name will be kept anonymous. A list of submissions as you describe them will be made available to the audience. Some ideas for memories to contribute include: a loved one who has passed on, something you regret, something that begs your forgiveness, a conflict, a violent act, or a negative or painful experience. Let us heal your negative memories by creating a new memory of compassion.

Receive updates on all H U G projects at:

"Like" us at www.facebook.com/hugperformance
http://solar1.org/events/dance/
www.myspace.com/hugperformance
Twitter: @julietroost