Duvet

Duvet

Duvet was a group of artists, movers, friends, and researchers. We are Leslie Cuyjet, Weena Pauly, Eleanor Smith, David Thomson, Katie Workum, Anna Therese Witenberg, and Darrin Wright.

We originally assembled in 2018 as the cast for a show by Katie Workum Dance, and it was immediately clear that we had wonderful collaborative chemistry. At the time, Authentic Movement (a long form, closed-eyed, witnessed, movement exploration), and group improvisational scores were the meat of our work, but we operated within a hierarchy. When the pandemic hit and existing working conditions failed us as dancers and makers alike, the group realized we needed to restructure to survive, utilizing the wealth of knowledge and care of the whole group. We call ourselves Duvet. Duvet has expanded focus from developing work for “shows” to creating a culture where our impulses and listening are our driving force. It is a company of circular knowledge and shared leadership. We work continuously, cultivating a system of care and creation simultaneously. We hold all-day practices where we do Authentic Movement and improvisation. In addition, we hold meetings where the Authentic Movement is the ethos from which we build a company structure. Our continual return every Tuesday, every season of the year, is a commitment to friendship,  intention, and above all, to building an emergent system of shared leadership.