Pittsburgh Fringe 2025
The SOLO Project
Nick M. Daniels
Genre: Dance and Movement Theatre
Venue: Bloomfield-Garfield Community Center
Festival: Pittsburgh Fringe
Low Down
A movement based performance art piece written and choreographed by Nick M. Daniels
Review
In the Bloomfield-Garfield Community Center, The SOLO Project by Nick M. Daniels brings the audience on an invigorating journey through his insight. Nick begun his piece with dancing through chair work while his face flashed on screen. We learn of his vexation, and love, with life and the world through his expression of movement. Each chapter is transitioned well with distinct contrasting movements, every segment having its individual highlighted moment. After he leaves the chair, what began as expressive, fluid, and open transitions to smooth and somber as the audio begins a series of “I hate yous” and “I love yous.” It uptakes in tempo again as he discusses his legacy with fiery yet stable movements and he ends with a simple “Peace.” Pivotal moments were layered between those of lesser value. There was a desire for more exploration on the beautiful sentiment of the “I hate you, I love you” moment as well as the critical and timely bathroom discussion on racism, transness, and identity. The audio was mixed and mastered not only to the space well but to Nick’s dance seamlessly. Furthermore, the use of the projector screen added an incredible value to the medium, having him dance in front, away, and behind the screen and thus chaining the meaning of each gesture. The Solo Project is a graceful and contemplative dance piece that left the audience asking themselves questions on how they move in the world, and how they can better care for their loved ones.
