KNOCKOUT
A fierce duet between two women, Knockout is a self-possessed, ever-morphing cinematic dance work contending with the nature of the liminal : a provocative study of the space between desire, intimacy, strength, and survival.
Erin Kilmurray + Kara Brodys’ choreographic graphic novel jump-cuts through a thrill-ride of fight sequences, self defense training, toothful camp, odd obsessions, and partnerships that sidestep tidy categorization.
Intoxicating, heart-stopping, and surreal, Knockout exists inside of the disorienting moment after the point of contact but just before hitting the floor.
TKO, baby.
Directed by Erin Kilmurray + Katrina Dion
Choreographed + Performed by Erin Kilmurray + Kara Brody
Sound Design by Corey Smith
Lighting Design by Liz Gomez
Dramaturgy by Katrina Dion
Costume Design by Mary Williamson
Production Stage Management by Bran Moorhead
Knockout premiered at Steppenwolf’s 1700 Theater January 24 - February 2 2025, presented by Lucky Plush Productions.
PRESENTATIONS |
PREMIERE: Steppenwolf 1700 ; January 24 - February 2 2025
The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago ; April 2024
Work In Process Showings —- Watershed Art & Ecology; May 2023
Detroit Dance Festival — Detroit Institute of the Arts; September 2021
Global Women’s Performing Arts Festival - Busan, South Korea - Live Stream - 2021
Postock Music Festival — Wisconsin; August 2021
Holding Common Ground : Pathways to Cultural Exchange in Vietnam- Live Stream Performance - April 2021
Chicago Dances; The Cambrian’s — January 2020 (initial commission)
IN THE PRESS |
‘Knockout’ dance duet at Steppenwolf is a knockout — 10 out of 10;
Chicago Tribune 2025
by Lauren Warnecke
Erin Kilmurray + Kara Brody in Knockout;
the Dance Enthusiast 2025
by elena rose light
REVIEW__ ‘Knockout’ at Steppenwolf begins LookOut series with a bang!
By Isabel Campisteguy, See Chicago Dance 2025
Meet Me in the In-Between : a response by Ryan Adelsheim;
Performance Response Journal 2024
REVIEW__ Call & Response: On Knockout
By Rachel Lindsay-Snow, Sixty Inches from Center, September 17, 2024
REVIEW_ “It’s nothing short of an adrenaline rush”.
By Megan Kudla, See Chicago Dance, April 30 2024
tonight they find themselves
at the last night
at the end of the world …
it is hot
it is dusty
it is sunset
asphalt that is very regular
stretching on forever
then suddenly doesn’t
[Text from a neo-neon-western noir-offering for :knockout by morgan mcnaught]