In the Mountain / On the Mountain

In and On the Mountain (1981) was a two day performance inspired by Halprin’s theme of the “Search for Living Myths and Rituals through Dance and Environment.” The performance enacted the murders of the seven women who were killed on the main trails of Mt. Tamalpais, which had, before then, been closed since 1979.The dance continued into the night, long after the audience had left, and continued into the morning. Performers and audience members were able to participate in a “sunrise ceremony”, leaving offerings at site of each murder during a walk down the trail. The performance made its premiere on April 10, 1981 at Mt. Tamalpais, Mill Valley, California. The performance originated at the College of Marin Fine Arts Theater in Kentfield, California, before moving to the Moutain. It was choreographed by Anna Halprin, and performed by the Tamalpa Dancers and workshop participants, with music by Kirk Norwick.