Sara Carlson premieres work

that explores existential angst

“The Cloud of Unknowing,” a performance which explores the nature of uncertainty through improvisational dance, premieres at 8 p.m. Feb. 20, Charles A Brown Ice House, 56 River St., Sand Island, Bethlehem.

Sara Carlson, founder and artistic director of DanceLink, looks at the dichotomy of, and human responses to, the continual uncertainties of life.

The performance is part of the “Ice House Tonight” series, a regional arts program created by Doug Roysdon of Mock Turtle Marionette Theater. The series is in its third year and serves the sustainable arts community of the Lehigh Valley by featuring a broad spectrum of artists who offer theater, dance, poetry and music. The recent world premiere of Crowded Kitchen Players’ “Pints, Pounds & Pilgrims” is part of the 2016 series.

“Sustainable arts refers to regional artists trying to make a living right here in the Valley,” says Carlson.

Carlson was raised outside of Boston. Her mother hails from Philadelphia and her father is from upstate New York. Carlson danced professionally for 10 years in New York City with numerous companies, including Alexandra Beller-Dances, Brian Brooks Moving Company, Clare Byrne Dance, Paul Mosley Dance and the Metropolitan Opera Ballet.

As an independent choreographer, her work has been presented throughout the United States at venues such as the Joyce Soho, New York City; On the Boards, Seattle, and The Yard, Martha’s Vineyard, as well as in Benin, Africa.

Carlson is a co-director of the Lehigh Valley Dance Exchange and editor of the Lehigh Valley Dance in Review. She has been on the dance faculty at Muhlenberg College, Cedar Crest College, DeSales University and University of Southern Mississippi.

Carlson formed DanceLink in 2008. “It’s an organization that I formed to be an umbrella for all the different dance activities that I do in the Lehigh Valley,” she says.

The project-based company comes together whenever Carlson creates large-scale works. “It has been working really well,” says Carlson. “I’ve been producing full evenings of work.

“DanceLink exists to create connections between the community and dance, and all that can be said through dance, basically, waking people up to the expressive potential of the body.”

Carlson’s brother, Benjiman Carlson, is lighting designer for “The Cloud of Unknowing.” A successful designer in his own right, he began in theater, then transitioned to television. “Dance can be a treat for lighting designers,” says Sara Carlson. “It’s a blank palette in terms of no sets and no fixed props. It’s just a bunch of moving bodies. He does a great job.”

Percussionists Moe Jerant and Tiffany Kent will play during the performance. Carlson has worked with both musicians before. “They’re fabulous,” Carlson says. “They are also improv-ing their way through what we’re doing.” Rehearsals involve playing music samples and deciding on what works best as a structure to build upon during the performance.

As for the theme, “The Cloud of Unknowing” was an anonymous work of Christian mysticism written in the 14th century. The text is a spiritual guide on contemplative prayer in the late Middle Ages. Composer Robert Kyr created “The Cloud of Unknowing: Songs of the Soul,” a compilation of songs, in 2014.

The poetic phrasing of the text and Kyr’s haunting score immediately captured Carlson’s imagination. “We can all relate to it as kind of an existential angst. None of us are in control. None of us can quite conquer it.

“For me, [‘The Cloud of Unknowing’] is a dark cloud that I can’t really see through. It occurs in any situation, any event, any relationship or project. And this can be crippling for some, or it could be a beautiful cloud that’s lit up from behind and has streams of light flowing out of it.”

Non-structured dance was the best way to present Carlson’s vision.

“Improvisation is the essence of being in the moment, which is the only solution [to the unknown.] The dancers must stay present as they wade through the theme.”

Carlson admits it is challenging for the dancers and for her as a choreographer. “Improv means I have less control. I must relieve the reins of the craft and the shaping of it.”

Carlson is asking her dancers to perform with their eyes closed. “I try to make it an environment where the freedom is something good for the dancers. It does push their buttons. Some come from studio dancing that is meticulous, choreographed and polished.”

The age range of the performers is 19 to 43. They include college students and professional dancers. “I like to present a diversity of bodies, so the work can resonate more profoundly.

“The unknown could hold incredible potential and possibility,” says Carlson. “It really all depends on how we choose to approach it.”

Tickets are expected to be available at the door. Reservations recommended: scdancelink@gmail.com