Sarah Michelson's Devotion: A Two-Hour Physical Ballet at The Kitchen

From January 13 to 22, 2011, The Kitchen in New York City hosted Sarah Michelson's Devotion, a two-hour ballet drawing inspiration from Richard Maxwell's writing. The performance featured male actors James Tyson and Jim Fletcher, alongside female dancers Rebecca Warner, Non Griffiths, Nicole Mannarino, and Eleanor Hullihan. Griffiths, who began collaborating with Michelson at the age of nine, took on the role of Mary, while Tyson portrayed Jesus. Michelson's work melded ballet with yoga elements and allusions to Twyla Tharp's In The Upper Room. Fletcher assumed the role of Adam, and Warner embodied Maxwell's story. TM Davy created portraits of both Michelson and Maxwell, and the seating was rearranged to foster immersion, examining themes of authorship and skill through 'naïve bodies.' The performance emphasized the balance between technical precision and visible human effort.