Move American: Soul of a Nation by Indivisible Nature Collective

Choreographers/Performers Karli McPhetridge, Samantha Villagomez, Dante Finch, Sarah Mccann, Nhu Nguyen // Director Nhu Nguyen // Director of Photography Zack King // Camera Operator Zack King // Editor Zack King // Sound Design Imahni King // Financial Support DISCO RIOT, William Male Foundation

2020 marks one hundred years since the Women’s Suffrage Movement and fifty-five years since the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Regardless of these victories, there are still substantial limitations to how we access our democracy. “Soul of a Nation” is a visual record of the moments when we felt sad, disappointed, inspired, angry, or committed, etc. throughout the term of this administration. The film recognizes that voting is emotional because our lives depend on it. “Soul of a Nation” heeds the call to unity, to get in what the late Congressman John Lewis called “the good trouble,” for the sake of all of our people who are entangled in this march toward radical liberation. The message is simple: VOTE – for the future of others because “together we can heal the soul of this nation” (John Lewis).

Indivisible Nature Collective was born out of the desire for artists to engage in movement practice and dancemaking as research and performance. We value curiosity, boredom, connections, lineages, and responsiveness to each other and to the world around us. 

Indivisible Nature Collective members are: 

Nhu Nguyen (they/them/theirs) is an artist and maker with interests in dance, photography, and wearable art. They worked with Ho Chi Minh City’s Ballet Symphony and Orchestra (Vietnam) while pursuing their education at Vietnam’s National School of Dance and Choreography. Since their immigration to the United States in 2012, Nguyen has been working as a performer, costume designer, youth mentor, choreographer, curator, production manager, and teaching artist; partnering with multiple creative youth development organizations in the San Diego region. Nguyen was named the outstanding graduate of San Diego State University’s Dance division in 2017 and Alum to Watch in 2019. Also in 2019, Nguyen was selected to be one of three James K Sprigg scholars and became a member of the Equity and Inclusion team of the West Coast Contact Improvisation JAM (wcciJAM). Currently, their work explores the intersectionality of art-making and social justice in collaboration with youth and young adults. They are very honored to be supported by the William Male Foundation.

 Zack King (he/him/his) began his career as a performance artist with an emphasis on dancing and acting. He strives to cultivate empathy and curiosity by making work that is personal and socially relevant. Born out of the desire to create original video content that inspires, educates, provokes, and tantalizes, Zack began to experiment with video in 2015. Since then, he has filmed live performances, dance films, a web series, short films, and worked with organizations around San Diego to create original video content. Zack considers himself a professional student and is always working to hone his skills as an artist. He believes each project is an opportunity to create something new and beautiful while learning more about himself.

Sarah Allison McCann (she/her/hers) is a dance maker and artist from the San Francisco Bay Area. She received her BFA in Dance with a Minor in Theatre from San Diego State University. She is interested in researching traditional and non – traditional notions of narratives, somatic techniques and practices and exploring the experiences of women, immigrants, and humanity as a whole. She is more than excited to collaborate with IN Collective.  McCann is also the  founder of Samson Artistic Corner she has choreographed and directed, March to May (San Diego CA, 2018), Nineteen M’s (San Diego, CA and Tempe, AZ; 2017-2018) and Removing Cotton (San Diego, CA 2016). McCann’s credits include University Dance Company at  SDSU and the Stage Directors and Choreographer’s Observer Class (NYC, 2018).

Karli McPhetridge (she/her/hers) grew up in Tulare, California, and was a member of Momentum Dance Academy’s competition team since she was 2 years old. At the age of 15, Karli became an instructor for the dance studio until leaving for college. Throughout her twenty-one years of experience, she has studied a range of dance styles including modern, jazz, lyrical, tap, hip hop, etc. Karli received a BA degree in dance and a BS degree in Kinesiology-Pre PT in 2020 from San Diego State University. Currently, Karli is attending Point Loma Nazarene University to earn a MS degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Sports Performance. She hopes to integrate the foundations and qualities of dance with the movement studies of Kinesiology. Karli is currently in the discovery of beauty in all its forms and self-amor at its finest through her collaboration with IN Collective.

Sam Marcial (she/her/hers) is a 20 year old Mexican artist with an open mind. She is passionate, responsible, and honest. She hates being late and loves working in a team. She has been dancing since she was 16. She is also a poet. She loves making art and utilizing it as a form of expression, activating her own voice to support others who don’t have a voice. Sam makes art as a form of protest that aims to bring awareness to various social issues that have impacted her and others around her. She works to encourage others to keep trying and not give up. 

Dante Finch (he/him/his) is a Black cosplay artist, video game streamer, and dancer. His passion for arts began with singing and dancing, but has recently developed toward foam-smithing and skin painting. Dante’s work, in collaboration with Ron Davis, was featured at San Diego Live Art fest in 2018. Collaborating with Indivisible Collective was his return to the dance scene since he has immersed himself in developing his skills as a cosplayer and designer. As a Black and artist, Dante’s work continues to push boundaries on what are perceived as gender and racial norms in cosplay culture.

ABOUT MOVE AMERICAN
ARTISTS TESTIFY WITH EMBODIED STORIES, COMPOSE THE ART THAT WILL PRESENT THE HISTORY OFTEN BURIED AND ERASED, AND CREATIVELY ENACT THE BETTER WORLD WE KNOW IS POSSIBLE. TO SUPPORT THE MASSIVE MOBILIZATION FOR CHANGE IN THE UNITED STATES AND HELP SUSTAIN THE MOMENTUM OF THE MOVEMENT ALL THE WAY TO THE ELECTION, WE PRESENT MOVE AMERICAN FROM SEPTEMBER 7 – NOVEMBER 2: A SERIES OF SHORT DANCE FILMS FEATURING A DIFFERENT SELF-DIRECTED MOVEMENT ARTIST FROM SOMEWHERE IN THE UNITED STATES, EXAMINING OR SHARING A SOCIAL JUSTICE/POLITICAL/HUMAN RIGHTS TOPIC. THESE DANCE FILMS ARE INTENDED TO SERVE AS PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS OF SORTS, WITH A CLEAR ACTION ITEM LINKED TO EACH FILM CALLING ON FOLKS TO PREPARE AND TAKE ACTION TO VOTE.