she thinks evil

premiering 2028
Continuing her exploration of solo practice, Kayla serves as dancer, cinematographer, choreographer, and sound recordist, as she documents her embodied response to reclaiming solitude while solo thru-hiking the 310-mile Superior Hiking Trail.

Taking shape as an immersive screendance installation she thinks evil draws parallels between nature and the wild woman archetype, investigating the fear and control of both. 

Kayla is currently seeking residency time and space to advance the conceptual, choreographic, and technical development of this project. 

CREATIVE TEAM
choreography, direction, editing, sound design, dance | Kayla Schiltgen
adventure coach | Becki Rupp
mentorship | Katrina McPherson

PROJECT SUPPORT
McKnight Choreography Fellowship 
Arrowhead Regional Arts Council Artist Equity Award FY26
Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Support for Individuals Award FY24

Kayla Schiltgen is a recipient of the 2025 McKnight Choreography Fellowship and she thinks evil was supported by funds from the McKnight Choreography Fellowship program, funded by the McKnight Foundation. This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Kayla is a recipient of the Individual Artist Equity Grant, made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and culture heritage fund. 

PRESS
Local Artist Holds Creative Movement Classes at Two Harbors Public Library
INITIAL INSTALLATION DESIGN AND MOOD BOARD

PRODUCTION TIMELINE

Winter 2023: Conception

April 2023: Begin securing funding, grant writing

January 2024: Begin pre-production, receive Minnesota State Arts Board Creative Individuals award to support pre-production

May 2024: Research with the Two Harbors community via creative movement workshops

September 2024: Production postponed due to injury

2025: Production postponed due to lack of funding

December 2025: Receive Arrowhead Regional Arts Council award to support mentorship

March 2026-October 2026: Mentorship with Katrina McPherson, training with adventure coach Becki Rupp, test shooting, camera tests, and pre-viz supported by McKnight Choreography Fellowship

September 2027: Production begins

2028: Premiere
CREATIVE RESEARCH WITH THE TWO HARBORS COMMUNITY
This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Kayla is a recipient of the Individual Artist Equity Grant, made possible in part by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and culture heritage fund.
additional Photography by cc Boyle Photography, Adrian Steinbach, bill cameron, ASHLEY DEREN