Staff Picks Reflects on the Past 5 Years: Considering “Slackjaw”, A Turn Inwards by Alexa Stevens and Tommy Gedrich
by kanishk pandey
The first time the work of Alexa Stevens and Tommy Gedrich came to my attention was not in the performance sphere. Rather, it was on my phone, scrolling tiktok, mind in a different place. Alexa and Tommy found viral success in 2020 as the ‘Mamma Mia dancers’ on TikTok, where their high-energy dance style captured global attention. In an age where commercial dance is in immediate contact via digital consciousness, there comes an easy assumption that the dancer, as an artist, has little to comment on in their work.
“Slackjaw”, which debuted by Stevens and Gedrich at The Fish Bowl in Allentown, reveals another side of their artistry, one that is more introspective, raw, and emotionally nuanced. Where their TikTok performances showcased their precision and charm, Slackjaw demonstrates their ability to strip movement down to its most essential, human form. By incorporating elements of pedestrian movement and gesture, Slackjaw draws audiences into an experience that feels at once personal and universal. Alexa and Tommy’s choreographic approach deconstructs the barriers between performer and spectator, inviting the audience into an unfiltered emotional space. The result is a piece that really makes you think—a testament to the depth of storytelling that Alexa and Tommy achieve as both individuals and an artistic duo.
"Slackjaw" is a masterful exploration of human connection, told through a language of movement that is both deeply intuitive and strikingly original. Alexa Stevens and Tommy Gedrich didn’t just perform—they let us eavesdrop on something deeply intimate. At The Fishbowl in Allentown, the piece unfolded like a whispered conversation, each pedestrian movement heavy with subtext. This dance-theatre piece broke away from traditional structures to present an intimate and profoundly felt exchange between two performers whose artistic synergy is undeniable.
What makes Slackjaw so compelling is the unspoken yet palpable communication between Alexa and Tommy. Their movement feels instinctive, as if they are in constant dialogue, responding to each other with a fluidity that transcends choreography. The trust and understanding between them allow for moments of tension, release, and unexpected humor—each gesture carries weight, each shift in energy is felt rather than merely seen. Their ability to push and pull within the space, mirroring and countering each other’s impulses, creates a mesmerizing ebb and flow of movement.
Photo: Audrey Yan Photography