Pillbug (2026)

for voice, two percussion, fixed media, and dance

c. 14 minutes

This work was commissioned by No Divide Kansas City for the Owen/Cox Dance Group. Premiered by Payton Boldt, James Taylor, and Abby Foerkolbt alongside movers from the Owen/Cox Dance Group in Kansas City, MO, May 2026.

A pillbug, most commonly known as a roly poly, is a small, fragile critter with the ability to roll itself up into a hard shell. Us as people, to me, are very similar. We tend to roll ourselves up to protect us and our emotions from the outside world. But unlike the pillbug, we refuse to unravel and expose our weakest parts. While the pill bug identifies the need to unravel as an important aspect of everyday life, we do not. We can go forever without letting ourselves become vulnerable, shutting out our loved ones from our inner truths and darkest emotions. In order to become free as people, the need to allow ourselves to open up must become essential. We must be more like the pillbug.