Conceptualized by Natalie Boegel, BlueShift Dance created and presented an evening-length collection of works showcasing the creative relationships of three heterosexual couples, entitled "The Male Gaze." The men, not choreographers or dancers, created and set works on their wives and girlfriends as a means of reappropriating the male gaze. Our press blurb stated:

"The “male gaze” refers to the act of depicting women and the world from a masculine, heterosexual perspective that presents and represents women as sexual objects for the pleasure of the male viewer. But what happens to a heterosexual man’s gaze when it is turned to a woman he loves deeply? Watch as our dancers perform works created for them, about them, by the men who love them."

The performance included interviews with couples, investigating the creative process and their views on the male gaze as it traditionally presents itself. These were accompanied by a screening of a short dance film created by one of the male choreographers. The performance made Baltimore Magazine's list of the top 6 shows to see at 2018 Charm City Fringe Fest (https://www.baltimoremagazine.com/2018/10/29/six-things-not-to-miss-at-charm-city-fringe). After Charm City Fringe, the Garrett County Arts Council commissioned another presentation of the show at Our Town Theatre as part of a weekend residency. Because the show happened to land on Father's Day, an improvisational element was introduced, examining a father's love for his daughter. At random, a father in the audience was asked to describe his daughter in three words, and those words were used as inspiration for the piece that followed. A highlight of this performance was a rousing Q&A following the show, where a little boy inquired as to whether or not the performance was inspired by "something that had happened recently," or by "something that was so big, you just had to say something about it." You can view this at 42:22 in the "Male Gaze in Garrett County" video. Which you should. He's amazing, and we told him so.