Guests on March 19, 2026, sat facing each other around tables arranged in a large triangle, anxiously awaiting the opening night of Dis-order at the Skirball Cultural Center. The configuration evoked a ritualistic gathering, reminiscent of the Passover Seder, where the family gathers around the table to reflect and tell stories. A giant puppet/sculpture sat in the corner, looming over the space. This eerie setup established the tone for what would become an emotional, comical, introspective and memorable show choreographed and directed by Mamie Green, choreographer and director of Volta Collective. Dis-order incorporates dance, acting (with a script by Rebecca Schultz), a live score by Patrick Shiroishi and Dylan Fujoka, and intricately crafted sculptural puppets created by Freak Nature Puppets and artwork created by Ari Salka, Billie Grey Heck, and Ella Tiberi. All of these elements merge to form a layered family drama as we literally and figuratively gather around the table.
The show is structured into five acts labeled by Roman numerals, a subtle reference to Greek mythology, along with god-like puppets and the fated narratives of the characters. Each act is accompanied by a piece of art that reflects the primary colors of the costumes and lighting, and the abstract brushwork mirrors the contemporary movement of the dancers. The blending of so many artistic elements feels powerful and effective at times, and overstimulating at others.
Volta Collective – Sophie Becker in “Dis-order” choreographed by Mamie Green – Photo by Roman Koval.
Gestural and mirrored movements remain a clear motif throughout the show, working effectively to maintain continuity within what is often a chaotic scene. We meet the characters as the narrator, Sophie Becker, delivers a humorous yet unsettling speech introducing the space and the premise of the story; the family unit and the circle of life. The baby character, played by Jobel Medina, appears in an egg costume, adding to the satirical tone.
Volta Collective – (L-R) Jobel Medina, Sophie Becker, Tim Allan in “Dis-order” choreographed by Mamie Green – Photo by Roman Koval.
The story takes a darker turn as the son begins his monologue, delivering a rage fueled account of his shame and discomfort with women. By the end, he is draped in fur and adorned with an animal head. I interpret this not only as a symbol of his shame, but also as a reflection of the primal lens through which he views women. The live music becomes harsh and intense, at times drowning out portions of the actors’ storytelling, while the layout also makes certain sections difficult to see, leaving me feeling overstimulated. The show is titled Dis-order, and this section fully embodies that concept.
Volta Collective – Anaya Gonzalez in “Dis-order” choreographed by Mamie Green – Photo by Roman Koval.
The lights shift to red, immediately heightening the tension already present in the space, and a mesmerizing duet unfolds between Anaya Gonzalez and the giant human puppet in the corner. The puppeteer manipulates and shadows her movement. Anaya’s performance is not only technically strong but emotionally compelling, particularly in contrast to the puppet’s rigid, restrained quality. Her expansive, circular phrasing creates a striking dynamic between control and resistance. Their interaction carries a mythic quality, reminiscent of a Greek figure confronting a god. Drawing from multiple sources of inspiration adds a layer to the work that I often find missing in dance choreography.
Volta Collective – (L-R) Roxanne Steinberg, Sophie Becker in “Dis-order” choreographed by Mamie Green – Photo by Roman Koval.
We then transition into the lovers’ dance, where the mother stands at the center with three web-like strands of fabric extending from her dress, held by the other characters. The egg character weaves around them before they come together to perform an intimate duet that dissolves the rigidity of family roles, as the baby becomes the elder and the elder, in turn, returns to infancy. Although visually engaging, with primary colored costumes and black fabric stretched across the space, this section feels as though it could be further expanded and does not fully reach the emotional depth of the duet that precedes it.
Volta Collective in “Dis-order” choreographed by Mamie Green – Photo by Roman Koval.
Through its blending of humor, discomfort, and the striking visual metaphor of the family unit, Dis-order asks us to consider how much of our identity is inherited, how much we can rewrite, and whether we are destined to repeat the stories we are born into or capable of breaking them. The combination of art forms consistently dances on the edge of “too much”, which is the perfect image of what it often feels like to be sitting at the table with your family.
The other talented actors, puppeteers, and artists in this project include Tim Griffin Allan, Nico Fife, Ryley Polak, Abby Sage, Jayde Spiegel, Roxanne Steinberg, Eva Watson, Billie Grey Heck, Ella Tiberi, Kaitlin Trimble, and Livia Reiner.
To learn more about Volta Collective, please visit their website.
For more information about the Skirball Cultural Center, please visit their website.
Written by Denali Huff for LA Dance Chronicle.
Featured image: Volta Collective – Sophie Becker in Dis-order choreographed by Mamie Green – Photo by Roman Koval.
Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, and LinkedIn.
