Just a Shadow Offers a Powerful Journey of Grief and Healing Through Dance

Sometimes a staircase or doorway is something we pass by without a second thought. But for dancer Megan Lowe, these everyday spaces become canvases of movement, strength, and art. Just a Shadow, presented by Megan Lowe Dances, will grace the stage of ODC Theater from April 4-6. In this second iteration, seven dynamic dancers invite us to embark on a journey of mutual healing and the processing of grief over the loss of a loved one.

“This project stems from my desire to process the loss of my mother and sister through art, and co-create a space of mutual support with collaborators who are also navigating recent loss,” writes Lowe. Set primarily in darkness, with fleeting pools of light, the dancers slip through the shadows, leaving behind traces of beauty. Each performer brings their own experience of loss to the stage, weaving grief into a tapestry of healing. Brimming with power, skill, and artistry, I couldn’t resist making my way to the Finnish Hall in Berkeley to witness a rehearsal and speak with the talented cast before the show.

AJ “Dopey Fresh” Gardner, Sonsherée Giles, Megan Lowe, Marica Petrey (a new cast member), Frances Teves Sedayao, Roel Seeber, and Shira Yaziv greeted me warmly as I lugged my photo gear up the stairs. As I engaged with each artist, I was struck by the lightness and fluidity they all embodied. Walls became climbing surfaces, corners and stair railings were transformed into playful tools. What’s remarkable about Megan Lowe is that it’s never “just” a dance show. Poetry, architecture, and song intertwine to create an experience unlike any other. Each dancer showed me how they interpreted the space around us and it was always new and unexpected.

“Sing for me?” Frances Teves Sedayao asked Megan as she balanced delicately on a stair railing. Megan began to sing, and Sedayao’s movements responded like a bird poised to take flight. “The duet-making with Megan on Just a Shadow was a tender process of letting my grief experience take the lead. It was a rare opportunity to prioritize the emotional experience over its visual presentation. One year later, the expression of our grief’s evolution still feels as authentic and relevant as ever.”

Roel Seeber approached an outside entrance with a different energy. The stairs and a locked gate became his playground, as he stretched and flowed effortlessly between them. It’s moments like these that give Just a Shadow its distinctiveness. Roel and Megan have also used ropes to swing across the stage, creating the illusion of dancing mid-air. “Low-fly vertical dance, or rope and harness dance, borrows from the same principles of space, time, and energy that ground contemporary dance,” Roel explained. “With the rope, we’re able to stretch space and time, and manipulate gravity in a way that’s unique to this form.”

“I feel safe and open to share my whole self with both my fellow artists and the audience. The performance holds an authenticity and honesty. Being part of this collaboration has been a unique and gracious experience,” said Sonsherée Giles about her involvement.

Just a Shadow is a powerful balm for collective loss, transforming grief into something beautiful, resilient, and whole. These shows have the tendency to sell out, be sure to secure your tickets early.

Megan Lowe Dances presents

Just a Shadow
April 4-6, 2025
Friday/Saturday at 7:30pm + Sunday at 3:30pm
ODC Theater, San Francisco, CA
Info and Tickets: www.meganlowedances.com/justashadow-2025