The short film Studio Visit with Ella Rothschild is available to watch at the top of the page.
Ella Rothschild, an accomplished choreographer, and dancer, masterfully fuses the realms of contemporary dance, art, and music to create compelling narrative performances. Her body of work speaks volumes about the solitary soul’s struggles and wounds inflicted by the relentless pace and predatory nature of urban life. She employs text as a launchpad, leveraging its structure and content to shape the rhythm and direction of her contemporary dance pieces—a truly innovative approach in the realm of choreography.
During one of my visits, I had the privilege to observe Rothschild in her creative element, rehearsing for her show 12 Postdated Checks. This performance piece delves into the harsh realities of the housing crisis, the ensuing difficult living conditions, and the tension encapsulating public and private urban spaces.
12 Postdated Checks is a direct artistic response to a critical issue echoing through Israeli public discourse in recent times—the severe shortage of affordable housing. This societal challenge has entrapped numerous young individuals in a seemingly endless competition for substandard apartments, pushing them into a whirlwind of absurd and often distressing situations. Combining humor, text, and dynamic movement, Rothschild’s piece meticulously unpicks these harsh realities, encapsulating the emotional depth and absurdity of the housing crisis.
In an accompanying video, Rothschild sheds light on how the everyday struggles encountered in the urban environment become an inexhaustible source of inspiration for her choreographic narratives. Rothschild’s unique ability to translate the challenges and dynamics of city life into evocative dance narratives gives her work a powerful impact, connecting on a profound level with a broad audience.
The featured video Studio Visit with Ella Rothschild is part of the web series Yotsrim by Shachaf Dekel. Yotsrim includes five seasons and 73 episodes. The series won the Best Documentary award at the NYC Web Fest in 2019.
