A couple’s waning love plays out on an old sofa and three women vie for the title of Queen. This was the program presented to a sold out house at Highways Performance Space on Friday, November 21, 2025. The two choreographers were fairly unfamiliar to this reviewer, which is always interesting to see what the next generation of dance artists are finding important enough to create a new work about.
Camila Arana and Santiago Villarreal in To Everyone I’ve Loved, “For Better or For Worse” by Camila Arana – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
Choreographed by Camila Arana, To Everyone I’ve Loved, “For Better or For Worse” examined how love generally diminishes between couples once the first fires of passion have worn off. A man, Santiago Villarreal, and a woman, Camila Arana were seen lounging on a blue cloth covered sofa dressed only in under garments, the lust between them obvious. Arana appeared to exhaust her ideas about how to move on, around, behind and over the couch as the coupled love (or lust) faded.
Camila Arana, Donny Collinson (seated), and Santiago Villarreal in To Everyone I’ve Loved, “For Better or For Worse” by Camila Arana – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
A couch has been used many times before as a dance prop, but Arana threw in a more modern twist by bringing a third person, Donny Collinson, into the relationship in an attempt to spice things up and refresh the couple’s love. Predictably, the new person only complicates matters and jealousies develop and the relationship is dissolved, only to be restarted, one presumes, by a different set of lovers with the same results.
Santiago Villarreal, Donny Collinson, and Camila Arana in To Everyone I’ve Loved, “For Better or For Worse” by Camila Arana – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
Although it is perhaps a negative approach to love, it is not without some truth. Hopefully, however, when the lust burns out, the love for one’s partner prevails.
All three performers were excellent dancers/movers and Arana and Villarreal’s acting was admirable. Collinson’s facial expressions, however, never entered into the activity. Was he bored, uncommitted or what? Especially in a work of this nature, one’s facial reactions are extremely important. I respectfully suggest some coaching.
Lily Stockton and Quinn Wynach in “NOT MY QUEEN” – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
Choreographed and directed by Maya Billig, “NOT MY QUEEN” was an interesting but uneven investigation into the role women play in society; how they often feel or are taught that they have to act a certain way in order to be accepted. Three women, Marcella Thile, Maia Driz-Diaz, and Lily Stockton were presented as contestants and also as women who are being judged. They are presented to us by a man, Quinn Wynacht, who at first glance came across as the Joel Grey character in the 1972 film “Cabaret” including the slicked back hair with a substantial curl which seemed pasted on his forehead. I will call him the MC.
Marcella Thile, Lily Stockton, and Maia Driz-Diaz in “NOT MY QUEEN” – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
Each woman was dressed in a long dress with various accessories. A lacy dress with leather bike gloves equipped with three buckles, a sultry black dress with a hanging necklace and a non-descript beige, tight-fitting dress with a tie around belt. The MC presented each woman as someone that underneath they were not and we saw the conflict and anger this duality created. He asked them questions designed to trap them into expressing that anger as if they would be judged unworthy.
Quinn Wynach, Lily Stockton, Maia Driz-Diaz, and Marcella Thile in “NOT MY QUEEN” – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
Billig has created a very interesting work that adequately depicts how women have been treated and diminished throughout history, but a few of the sections missed their mark and the piece’s length did nothing to help. Her cast of dancers were strong and able to present her vision. “NOT MY QUEEN” should not be dropped but perfected.
Shout out to Lily Stockton who keep my attention throughout the work with her wonderful dancing and acting.
To see the full Highways Performance Space season, please visit their website.
Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Lily Stockton in NOT MY QUEEN by Maya Billig – Photo by Patrick Kennelly.
