USC Visions & Voices: Ghostly Labor Review (Extra Credit Opportunity)

This past Thursday, I had the opportunity to see Ghostly Labor through USC Visions and Voices, which explores labor hisory in the US-Mexico borderlands through the power of art. Using dance as a means of storytelling, this performance brought to life the struggles and reilience of laborers for centuries in history. The polyrhythmic movement, from tap dance to Mexican Zapateado, encompassed a powerful blend of history, culture, and resistance. It was fascinating how the performers were able to tell such a powerful story through dance. 

The performance touched on issues such as labor exploitation and the poor working conditions faced by workers. During the few monologues of the performance, they powerfully spoke about how women were forced to work in unhygenic environments. The sparing use of dialogue made each monologue even more powerful. These spoken moments carried significant weight, allowing the audience to reflect and emphasizing the dire need for change.

Overall, I was extremely moved by the emotional depth of the performance. The emotion demonstrated in the dancing and singing became a vessel to share the distress endured by the workers, while also celebrating their strength. Ghostly Labor not only highlights the struggles these workers went through, but values their spirit of perserverance. The performance was a great example of how art can evoke empathy, and raise awareness for important issues, and inspire change in the audience.