REDCAT Presents Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener’s ‘Open Machine’

Roy and Edna Disney CalArts Theater (REDCAT), CalArts’ center for contemporary arts in downtown Los Angeles, presents the west coast premiere of choreographers Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener’s Open Machine on April 17-18, 2026.

Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener combine technological and human pathways into a dynamic work that imagines an Artificial Intelligence lovingly programmed by experimental dance. Open Machine presents a constantly shifting performance with live speech-to-text transcription, projected images, and virtual renderings that amplify and react to the unfolding dance.

Blurring the lines between brain, body, and machine, the piece is accompanied by a sweeping, mechanical sound score by electronic musician Mas Ysa and vocal artist Charmaine Lee, media design by Jesse Stiles, and lighting design by Davison Scandrett. As dancers navigate the stage with precision and abandon, Open Machine synthesizes disparate modes of working, and reflects the social and spatial structures that shape our daily lives.

Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener’s work involves the building of collaborative worlds through improvisational techniques, digital technologies, and material construction. They met as dancers in the Merce Cunningham Dance company and since 2010 they have created over 25 multidisciplinary dance works including site-responsive installations, concert dances, gallery performances, and dances for film.

Performances of Open Machine will run April 17-18 at 8 p.m., with an additional 2 p.m. matinee on April 18.On April 17, there will be a post-show Q&A with Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener moderated by Katy Dammers, Deputy Director and Chief Curator, Performing Arts.

Tickets are $27 (General admission), $22 (students and REDCAT members), and $14 (CalArts students, faculty, and staff). Book now at https://www.redcat.org/events/2026/mitchell-riener

Open Machine, Photo by Paula Lobo