The Way of Water — Colorado River was a three-part, citywide performance and engagement series created by Forklift Danceworks in collaboration with community partners, civic agencies, artists, and environmental stewards. Spanning three weeks and multiple sites along the river, the project invited Austinites to deepen their relationship to the Colorado River not just as a natural resource, but as a shared civic responsibility.
Presented Oct 18-Nov 8, 2025 in Austin, Texas.
The Way of Water — Colorado River began on October 18, 2025 at The Contemporary Austin, Laguna Gloria with Part I: Source. Part ceremony, part meditation, part celebration – the kick-off event immersed audiences in sound design by dadaLab and featured movement and stories from Austin Water utility personnel, river scientists, Butoh Artist Rosemary Candelario, and birders from the Travis Audubon Society.
Part II: Currents was a river-wide scavenger hunt, by designer Kate Murray of UnfineArts. Audiences explored the Colorado River at their own pace, connected with fellow river stewards, and learned more about the communities that depend on it with interactive activities, challenges and missions.
The culminating large-scale performance, Part III: Confluence featured stories and movement from Austin Water employees, scientists, youth river stewards, fly-fishing enthusiasts, and birders. Directed by Allison Orr with live music by Graham Reynolds, poetry by Zell Miller, III, and immersive media design by dadaLab.
View the performance program for Confluence.
Watch the full length performance here.
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