WWU’s Pam Kuntz to Present ‘In the Context of Life’ at Firehouse This Fall

Contact Pam Kuntz, Western Washington University Dance instructor, at (360) 510-4711 or pam.kuntz@wwu.edu

BELLINGHAM – Western Washington University dance instructor Pam Kuntz will present her latest work “In the Context of Life,” the compelling stories of 15 community members, weekends this fall in Fairhaven.

Rick Hermann and Morrison Kuntz, two of the cast in the new performance "In the Context of Life" by WWU's Pam Kuntz.

photo by Suzanne Fogarty

The performance will run for three weekends at the Firehouse Performing Arts Center, 1314 Harris Ave. in Fairhaven. Show times are Sept. 24 and 25 at 7:30 p.m.; Sept. 30, Oct. 1 and 2 at 7:30 p.m; Oct. 3 at 2 pm, Oct. 7, 8, 9 at 7:30 p.m; and Oct. 10 at 2 p.m. Admission is $12 and tickets are available at Village Books, the Community Food Co-Op, and at the door.

The piece is inspired by a 2007 research project, funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, that invited Bellingham citizens to visualize their unique "health map." The results showed how people understand and shape their lives.  Kuntz worked with Richard Scholtz to explore the project's results through text, photography, video, sound, and dance. The performance is funded by the The Bossak Heilbron Charitable Foundation, and the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs and the College of Fine and Performing Arts at WWU.

Community participants include local musicians Rick Hermann and Flip Breskin; Maryann Breskin; Geof Morgan, director of the Whatcom Community and Family Network; former Bellingham Mayor Mark Asmundson; Lowell Elementary School student Warren Rose; retired psychotherapist Linda Adler; Whatcom County Health Officer Greg Stern; Kathy Buford; Amanda Carter; hospice nurse Rolling Morgan; PeaceHealth Vice President Marc Pierson; Kate Nichols; and Rod Burton.

Spencer Thun and Richard Scholtz will compose and perform the sound score; Maria McLeod and WWU Journalism Department instructor Stephen Howie, of How Loud Media, will provide videography; and Suzanne Fogarty will provide photography.  Dancers include WWU alumnae Vanessa Daines, Angela Kiser, and Ella Mahler. For more information, contact Pam Kuntz at (360) 510-4711.