This September, the Newport Beach Film Festival announced the lineup for its 26th annual event, which will screen more than 300 films and film shorts from 32 countries. This year, the film “To the Hands” — a choral and dance performance created by and featuring Cal State Fullerton faculty and alumni — will show at the festival along with films from directors such as Guillermo del Toro (“Frankenstein”), Richard Linklater (“Blue Moon”) and Rian Johnson (“Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery”).
The performance was recorded live on Sept. 14-15, 2024, at Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa with Pacific Chorale’s chamber singers, Etienne Gara with string instrumentalists from Delirium Musicum, and dancers. The performance was conducted by Pacific Chorale artistic director and CSUF School of Music professor Robert Istad.
“To the Hands” is anchored by Pulitzer Prize-winning composer and musician Caroline Shaw’s eponymous choral meditation on compassion and responsibility along with music by classical composers Dieterich Buxtehude and Ysaÿe Barnwell and pop artists Simply Red and Sarah McLachlan, which is typical of Istad’s eclectic programming.
Istad first heard Shaw’s work in 2017 and “was completely transfixed by her music.” He then programmed “To the Hands” for the University Singers to perform, later inviting Shaw to campus to sit in on rehearsals and give a master class to students.
The seed of an idea was planted, and Shaw’s work stayed with Istad. He wanted to share her message to a wider audience and began to dream about creating a fully staged production.
Istad collaborated with CSUF Department of Theatre and Dance faculty to help realize his vision. Marty Austin Lamar, assistant professor of theatre and dance, served as director; Courtney Ozovek, lecturer in theatre and dance, worked on choreography; and Omar Ramos, assistant professor of theatre and dance, worked on projection design.
Through music, movement and video projections, the 2024 staged version of “To the Hands” expands upon Shaw’s themes of displacement, homelessness and the duality of humanity, asking viewers to contemplate the question “Would you harbor me? Would I harbor you?”
Lamar and Ozovek were deeply moved by the experience and describe their involvement as “breathtaking” and “meaningful.”
For Lamar, Shaw’s work brought him back to his childhood and his background as a musician and conductor.
“It was extremely nostalgic for me. I grew up hearing my family and church community singing choral music, and Shaw’s piece is based on a work that I had previously conducted titled, Buxtehude’s ‘Ad Manus.’ I wanted to synthesize the music and text with movement to inspire audiences to act and positively impact their community,” said Lamar.
Ozovek can pinpoint the moment she knew “To the Hands” would resonate with audiences, noting that it was unlike anything she had ever experienced.
“When I began to work with the five dance artists involved in this project, we did most of our studio rehearsals separately. When we combined with the chorale for the first time, the genuine care, intention, and passion in their voices brought us all to tears. The connection between Marty, Rob and the vocalists was palpable,” said Ozovek.
Pacific Chorale member and School of Music alum Denean Dyson, who performed as a soloist, recalls how being vulnerable as an artist led to a performance breakthrough.
“In a rehearsal led by Marty Austin Lamar, the singers participated in an exercise that gave us permission to let go. At first, you could feel the uncertainty, and how the longing for support of those near you charged the energy in the room. But as we continued through the exercise, we all began to lower our guard and to trust each other; to feel. The energy shifted and we created something beautiful in just those few moments,” said Dyson.
Istad touches on Dyson’s performance: “Her chemistry with the dancer and the audience was enlightening. I could feel her singing.”
The creative team of Istad, Lamar and Ozovek each noted separately that “To the Hands” represented a peak creative moment in their careers and has broadened their desire to collaborate further.
“We became kindred spirits. ‘To the Hands’ was one of the highlights of my career so far and I am dreaming of another collaboration in the future,” said Istad.
For Lamar, the project was a spiritual calling. “There have been few times in my life when I felt the divine power of creativity push me to explore all aspects of my artistry. This was one of those moments.”
Soloist Dyson called the film “one of the most meaningful, challenging and demanding projects I have had the honor of working on.”
In addition to recognition from the NBFF, “To the Hands” was recently presented with the Cultural Impact Award from SoCal Film Awards and has garnered nominations and mentions from the Los Angeles Independent Film Festival, Cannes Arts Fest, Chicago Indie Film Awards, L.A. International Cinema Awards and the San Diego Independent Cinema Awards.
“To the Hands” screens as part of the 26th Newport Beach Film Festival at Starlight Triangle Cinemas, 1870 Harbor Blvd. in Costa Mesa, on Oct. 23 at 5 p.m. For more information, visit the festival website. The film will screen at the San Pedro International Film Festival Nov. 6-9, and details will be available on the SPIFF website.
The project is sponsored by longtime cultural partners Segerstrom Center for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. “To the Hands” is made possible through the generous support of platinum sponsor Phillip N. and Mary A. Lyons, Pacific Chorale’s Artistic Innovation Fund and the Ron Rudderow Legacy Fund.