Fringe Review

“Have You Touched the Sand?” is a tightly choreographed, abstract movement piece from Kaitlyn and Troy Gardner (aka Moo) that unfolds more like a dream than a narrative. Performed by a small ensemble in mismatched earth tones, the dancers blur the line between individuals and a collective organism—sometimes in sync, sometimes pulling away from one another like cells dividing.

The movement is fluid but deliberate, full of sharp gestures and moments of suspended balance. At times, it resembles contact juggling, with bodies orbiting, reacting, and flowing around one another with a shared sense of gravity. The presence of the two choreographers on stage seems to shift the tone, hinting at a central relationship or throughline, though its meaning remains abstract. Energy rises and recedes in quiet waves, inviting attention rather than demanding it.

There’s no spoken word, no props, and no clear narrative. Instead, the piece leans into sensation, asking the audience to stay present rather than “figure it out.” Whether that leaves you intrigued or unmoored may depend on your relationship to abstract performance, but the ensemble holds a consistent tone that signals intention, even in the ambiguity.

Seating matters here. Several key moments take place deep on the stage, and anything off-center flattens the impact. If you’re going, aim for the middle. Not just for visibility, but to catch the symmetry that gives the piece much of its weight.

If you are the type to find meaning in shape, rhythm, and silence, this show gives you room to interpret without pressure. The impact is yours to define.