The Essence & The Choice is the latest performance by New York-based artist and choreographer Matty Davis. The work is a duet performed by Davis, and Wolfgang Cooper Grossardt, his 13 year-old stepson, featuring dramaturgy by two-time Pulitzer finalist Chloé Cooper Jones. Full of play, physical risk, trust, and vulnerability, The Essence & The Choice explores fatherhood through the impacts of our presence in (and absence) from one another's lives.

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‍The Essence & The Choice is accompanied by a unique, editioned publishing work made in collaboration with designer Matt Wolff that is available for free (first-come-first serve) to anyone who attends the performance.

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The Chicago premiere of The Essence & The Choice is co-presented by PATRON and SECRIST | BEACH as part of Chicago Exhibition Weekend.