Virtually everyone has been, or will be, the unhappy recipient of some sort of rejection letter during the course of their life. Whether it’s a rejection letter from a college or a job, they almost always have the same effect. The person on the receiving end feels somewhat dejected even if they did not want the position in the first place. Rejection letters are an inevitable part of our adult lives. While they are invariably unpleasant, our reactions to them may vary widely. We may try to learn from the rejection; we may mope for a period of time then move on with our lives; we may angrily crumble the letter and throw it in the trash; or we may stubbornly decide to apply again and again until acceptance or death.

Inclined to Decline is a dance piece that repurposes rejection letters and uses them for inspiration rather than dejection. This work will explore the resilience and perseverance needed to move forward past rejection. As well as a dance performance, we will also be showcasing three Chicago artists! Darvin Dances hosted an art contest with the inspiration of rejection and has chosen 3 artists to present their work.

The Rooted Space is on the 2nd floor (up 19 stairs with handrails) and unfortunately there is no elevator. If this is not accessible to you, please email mariah@darvindances.com for other options to see the performance.