Song Cycles

Since 2004, Urban Research Theater has developed a number of distinct Song Cycles. Each of these were created in order to explore the relationship between song and action through specific uses of melody, harmony, vibratory quality, and other aspects of song. All the Song Cycles are precisely structured and involve some combination of words and/or non-linguistic vocables.

Urban Research Theater's approach to song is influenced by that of the Gardzienice Theatre Association (Poland) and the Workcenter of Jerzy Grotowski and Thomas Richards (Italy). Many specific musical elements have been drawn from diverse song traditions including those of Poland, Bulgaria, Italy, South Africa, Caucasus Georgia, ancient Greece, the North American Shakers, and the Afro-Caribbean diaspora.