Repertoire

"O" by Seda Aybay (2007)

"O" (s/he/it, 3rd person in Turkish) is a solo piece about losing someone and questioning the one's own believe. Umbrella symbolizes the hovering, protection power, which we as humans sometimes refuses because of the extreme life experiences. Even though we think that we can pull away, it is always going to be there with us.

"Sesler" by Seda Aybay (2007)

"sesler" (voices/sounds synonymous of the word Seda in Turkish) is inspired by Seda Aybay's own hunted memories of life choices, mystics, shames, fears and guilts. It's a journey of self-acceptance and forgiveness to find and inner peace.

"$irket" by Seda Aybay (2007)

"$irket" depicts the fine line between sanity and insanity as defined by mechanic, repetitive, and mundane work requirements of an office job. The ironic cruelty and madness of each character not only purposes to entertain the audience, but also confronts and awakens their consciousness through the portrayal of sacrificed human feelings, senses and joy of life for a simple title, position, promotion and/or money.

"Istanbul Hatiralari" by Seda Aybay (2007)

"Istanbul Hatiralari" is a works in progress piece constructed through short life stories.

"NAR in memory of Ataturk" by Seda Aybay (2006-2007)

"NAR in memory of Ataturk" is a 50 minute visual and dance performance inspired by the memory of Turkey's greatest leader, Ataturk. As an activist of her generation, choreographer Aybay takes the audience on a journey through Turkish history, culture, and Philosophy by artfully designing movement centered on determination of Ataturk's life.

"VEDA" by Seda Aybay (2006)

"VEDA" is a 32 minutes piece inspired by the incresing popularity of Latin music and dance forms in present-day Turkey, Aybay portrays different aspects of "brokenness". The new work captures the desire to fit in with the crowd yet keep one's identity, individuality, and uniqueness within an ever-changing society. The Los Angeles Times noted "Seda Aybay went her own way, focusing her artful quartet 'Veda' on partnering: As each couple danced, you seemed to be watching a summary of a complex relationship swiftly, lightly impressed upon your consciousness."

"Hopes and Dreams" by Seda Aybay (2005)

"Hopes and Dreams" (Adak): Full scale, 70 minute performance of spoken word and dance. Individuals strive to attain their wishes of health, love, happiness, success, and material desires. Through an innovative approach, Aybay offers a modern perspective to an old Turkish tradition of scribing wishes onto a red scarf and affixing them to a tree. The red scarf serves as a bridge between past and contemporary thought. Though each dancer's wish is eventually fulfilled, this piece is not about fulfillment. It explores through movement the unavoidable and sometimes crushing struggle inherent in attaining one's desires.

"Elements" by Seda Aybay (2005)

A mosaic created through the different qualities and the delicate balance of air, fire, water and earth which is vital for human life.

"4 Seasons" by Seda Aybay (2005)

The interplay of everyday people who interact in a city park evolves through passing seasons and years.

"Beginnings...friendships...crossroads...youth...
Heat...sensuality...wishes...fun...
Expectations...love...mystery...coincidence...
Motherhood...guidance...loss...endless cycles..."


“Awakening on a Spring Morning” : An 8 minute uplifting group piece filled with visual images of park scenes from "4 Seasons" was inspired by French paintings of spring gatherings and picnics. The piece is danced to nostalgic melodies of famous Chansons by Edith Piaff, such as “La Foul” & “Sur Le Pont de Paris,” and portions of the original soundtrack of “Amelie” by Yann Tiersen.

“Silent Reach Out in a Lonely Winter” : The 5 minute duet from "4 Seasons" was created with the idea of angels coming down to earth and hovering over lonely souls like gentle snow. The piece is performed to its original music "Lullaby," composed and performed by Andreja Smokvina.

"The Purpose of Life" by Seda Aybay (2004)

The search for the meaning or purpose of life through different cultural, religious and philosophical aspects is portrayed by 3 female dancers over 25 minutes.

"Kosem Sultan" by Seda Aybay (2004)

This is a reconstruction of a historical character taken from Ottoman Empire, represent political, cultural and traditional roles of women residing in palaces and Harem, a term used to describe the room where all the wives of the Sultan congregate. Through the revealing story of "Kosem Sultan", who is recognized as one of the most important queens of Ottoman Empire. Women's issues between the past and the present that emphasize the male gaze, the importance of virginity, and the power of beauty.

Full story is 35min. work performed by 20 dancers. It can be only performed with advanced notice. However, some of the solos and small group pieces from the story are available to be performed independently even within short notice. See the info below.

“Dance of Harem” : A 6 minute group piece from “Kosem Sultan” performed with long floating, colorful shawls, as an introduction to a fantasy world of Harem. Ethnic dance vocabulary blended into modern world with the help of same kind of musical aspect performed by Sertab Erener’s song “Masal” from her album “LAL”

“Surgun” : A 3 minutes solo turns into a short duet, from “Kosem Sultan” performed by female dancers describing the pain and the sadness, loneliness of being send away by a loved one. Music is by Sebnem Ferah “Yagmur” .

“Cry” : A 4 minutes solo piece, from “Kosem Sultan” is performed by a female dancer. It is about mourning, crying after a lost love to the Turkish music by Sertab Erener, “Yara” from her album “Sertab Gibi”

"1001 Gecenin Oteki Yuzu" (The Other Side of 1001 Night Tales) by Seda Aybay (2003)

A story of a Turkish woman and her extreme relationships with others shaped by the boundaries of tradition and religion. Through multiple stories woven together, such as mother and daughter relationships, religious pressure, marital traditions, rules of society for women, and unspoken domestic violence, Seda Aybay presents the tragic sides of traditional lives which were at times admirable, at others cruel, and sometimes violent.

"At the beginning it was like the famous stories of "1001 Night Tales", where everything ends with happiness, and marriages celebrated through elaborate parties. Delving deeper, I found the other, darker side of these stories. They were reflections of traditions as well as sets of rules of social roles in which people's lives become miserable or even ended tragically as a result of rules and limitations of traditions."

Full story is 40min. work performed by 17 dancers. It can be only performed with advanced notice. However, some of the pieces from the story can be performed independently even within short notice. See the info below.

“Mother & Daughter” : A minute duet, from “1001 Gecenin Oteki Yuzu”, revealing the closeness of restricted relations between mother and daughter in a traditional family setting, where love, respect, and obeying is the structure. Music is taken from one of the famous Turkish singers; Sezen Aksu’s album “Isik Dogudan Yukselir” – “Ud Taksim”

“Lost” : Solo piece from “1001 Gecenin Oteki Yuzu”, portraying the pain and the struggle of a female character pushed by the traditional rules. The traditional song “Bingol” is taken from Kardes Turkuler’s album “Dogu”.

“Floating Thoughts” : Three and a half minutes long duet from “1001 Gecenin Oteki Yuzu”, about two oppositional thoughts fighting over leaving or staying. Music is taken from one of the famous Turkish singers; Sezen Aksu, performed by herself and Levent Yuksel.

“Ceremony” : A re-creation of Whirling Dervish Ceremony, after extended research and meetings with Dervishes in Istanbul, Turkey. A 7 minutes group piece from “1001 Gecenin Oteki Yuzu”, is performed by female dancers accompanied by a soprano soloist vocalizing “Yenilige Dogru” from the album “Isik Dogudan Yukselir”.