Carolyn Carlson makes refugees dance in Paris: “Working with these people inspires me too”

Some are immediately at ease. Others a little more shy. Everyone is barefoot, or in socks on the large black carpet. The arms rise and relax. Hips sway. In a corner of the high-ceilinged room, a djembe musician sets the rhythm, first slow, then faster. The bodies follow instructions, move. “Open the door, close the door, the rain falls, light then heavy. We are so tired that we lie down and stretch.”