{"id":204006,"date":"2026-03-04T15:36:10","date_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:36:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/204006\/"},"modified":"2026-03-04T15:36:10","modified_gmt":"2026-03-04T15:36:10","slug":"aybay-delivers-her-strongest-work-yet-in-reverberation-of-time","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/204006\/","title":{"rendered":"Aybay Delivers Her Strongest Work Yet In \u201cReverberation of Time\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"

Kybele Dance Theatre<\/a> presented \u201cReverberation of Time\u201d at Highways Performance Space<\/a> on\u00a0 Friday and Saturday, February 27,28, 2026. \u00a0Artistic Director Seda Aybay<\/a> has always been a very strong choreographer but the three new works on this program just might be some of Aybay\u2019s finest work yet; especially the final piece \u201cRise\u201d. Her company members also appeared more unified, making for a very exciting evening of dance theater.<\/p>\n

\"Kybele<\/a><\/p>\n

Kybele Dance Theatre in \u201cReminiscence\u201d Choreography by Seda Aybay \u2013 Photo courtesy of KDT.<\/p>\n

\u201cReminiscence\u201d was definitely dance theater consisting of props and movement driven dialogue. A long table acted as a family\u2019s central meeting place, while the youngest daughter\u2019s room was comprised of a white square box, a chair and a bookcase.\u00a0 Family photos hung from thin rope strung along the back wall, and a coat rack with clothing rested next to a shoe rack upstage left. No prop felt unnecessary and most became part of the family\u2019s intercourse.<\/p>\n

The piece began in the lobby and one got the sense that some of the characters were reluctantly traveling to a destination not yet revealed.\u00a0 Aybay toted a small brown overnight sized suitcase, demonstrating that she intended her stay to be brief.<\/p>\n

\"Kybele<\/a><\/p>\n

Kybele Dance Theatre in \u201cReminiscence\u201d Choreography by Seda Aybay \u2013 Photo courtesy of KDT.<\/p>\n

Once the audience was in the performance area, it soon became clear that the eldest two siblings\u2019 reluctance was due to their having grown up in a complicated family dynamics led by a very stern father who did not easily express affection.<\/p>\n

Aybay\u2019s choreography and direction was excellent and she led the audience\u2019s eye to the personal interactions that she deemed important at the time.\u00a0 \u201cReminiscence\u201d was a work that the majority of audience members could closely relate to.<\/p>\n

Powerful performances were delivered by Seda Aybay, Brian Domino, Evan Lavo, Mayu Oishi, and Ariel Scott. The stunning music was by Nils Frahm and the very strong lighting was by Darren Carter.<\/p>\n

\"Kybele<\/a><\/p>\n

Kybele Dance Theatre \u2013 L-R Sebastian Lee, Omri Mischael and Seda Aybay \u2013 Photo courtesy of KDT.<\/p>\n

The second work, which followed a brief intermission, was titled \u201cDrift,\u201d set to live music beautifully performed by cellist Sebastian Lee<\/a> who played \u201cBach Cello Suite No. 2-Prelude, Allemande\u201d as well as a section of improvisation.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrift\u201d was a duet depicting the various stages of a long term relationship between a woman, Aybay, and man, Omri Mischael.\u00a0 I have often thought that the lifts that Aybay created with her work were rushed, but this evening proved at she has allowed herself to not worry about speed but concentrate on the moment. Although this was not the strongest work on the program, it was very beautifully performed and Aybay completed her vision well. Both Aybay and Mischael gave powerful performances and were wonderful to watch.<\/p>\n

Saving the best for last, Aybay\u2019s \u201cRise\u201d was everything one could hope for in a movement driven dance. The dancers excelled while the music score by Pole and Zayko propelled the performers and the audience alike.<\/p>\n

\"Kybele<\/a><\/p>\n

Kybele Dance Theatre in \u201cRise\u201d Choreography by Seda Aybay \u2013 Photo courtesy of KDT.<\/p>\n

In \u201cRise\u201d, Aybay allowed the viewer to see every movement and gesture of her choreography without sacrificing her signature high-speed choreography.\u00a0 She has learned to embrace stillness and to allow her dancers the time required to accomplish her complex groupings and partnering. I\u2019ll go out on a limb here by pondering if this clarity was accomplished because she was not in the dance or thinking about where she would insert herself.\u00a0 Aybay was able to fully observe the work and therefore direct her cast to reach their fullest. By doing this \u201cRise\u201d achieved the complexity and the space in-between that it demanded and that other of her works longed for. Now she is ready to use what she has learned and include herself.\u00a0 That would be truly extraordinary to see as Aybay is a beautiful dancer and performer.<\/p>\n

The amazing cast included Brian Domino, Sarah Chan, Evan Lavo, Omri Mischael, Mayu Oishi, and Ariel Scott.\u00a0 The beautiful lighting was by Darren Carter.<\/p>\n

Throughout both \u201cReminiscence\u201d and \u201cRise\u201d, my eye was constantly drawn to the incredible Ariel Scott. Her technique is exquisite and only exceeded by her performance presence.<\/p>\n

To learn more about Kybele Dance Theatre, please visit their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

For more information about Highways Performance Space, please visit their website<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by Jeff Slayton for LA Dance Chronicle.<\/p>\n

Featured image: Kybele Dance Theatre in \u201cReminiscence\u201d Choreography by Seda Aybay \u2013 Photo courtesy of KDT.<\/p>\n

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