Another Call for Choreographers

Since we have been discussing mentoring, Boston choreographers will be thrilled that the Dance Complex is hosting another Shared Choreographers' Concert (SCC) this October as part of the organization's 20th anniversary festivities. Don't miss this chance to be mentored by Brian Crabtree, Kelli Edwards and Rozann Kraus (Read up on her mentoring philosophy here!) in preparation for a fully produced concert in the Julie Ince Thompson Theatre on October  21st and 22nd. This is a wonderful opportunity for both novice choreographers and for more experienced artists who could benefit from critical feedback. Proposals are due on September 14th, so do not dither.

In your proposal describe: 

• the dance style
• the number of dancers
• the main concept of your piece
• include your contact info (email & phone).  
• any time constraints you have during the early afternoon on 09/18, the day of the first showing

Please note that your piece can not exceed 10 minutes. Send your proposal to scc.dancecomplex@gmail.com by September 14. For more information on this program, check out the Dance Complex's website.

IRNE Nominations for Chroeography

Benjamin Evett (as Coriolanus) & Noah Tujega (as Sicinius)
Photo by Stratton McCrady

by karen Krolak

As you may remember, I had a rollicking time choreographing Coriolanus for Actors' Shakespeare Project last March. Well, thanks to Robert Walsh's vision of a 20 minute marathon of movement sequences, a spectacular crew of actors who were willing to embrace it and an explosive sonic environment created by Stephen Serwacki, the production was just nominated for an IRNE Award for choreography.

It is truly an honor to be included, especially for a non-musical production, given the impressive list of the other choreography nominees:

Laurel Conrad for SEUSSICAL (Wheelock),

Anita Brockney and Donald Gregorio for THE PRODUCERS (Turtle Lane Playhouse),

Matthew Romero for NINE (Longwood Players),

Tommy Rapley for THE SPARROW (Stoneham),

and Kelli Edwards for CABARET (New Rep).

Congratulations to Actor's Shakespeare Project's Duchess of Malfi also, as it was also nominated for three other categories:

Lighting Design (Jeff Adelberg),

Set Design (David Gammons),

and Sound Design (Cameron Willard).

We will have to keep our fingers and toes crossed until April 19th when the winners are announced at the Boston Center for the Arts.

Maurice Emmanuel Parent (as Brutus), Benjamin Evett (as Coriolanus) & Noah Tuleja (as Sicinius)Photo by Stratton McCrady

Catch Kelli Edwards at Soaking WET

by Karen Krolak

Two years ago, David Parker mentored the Emerging Artist Concert at Green Street Studios and invited me to attend opening night with him. Over drinks at Rialto before the show, he raved about the trio that Kelli Edwards had developed during the project. Having seen Kelli's comedic choreography in Actor Shakespeare Project's Love's Labours Lost previously, I was somewhat surprised by David's descriptions of a more delicate and ethereal dance creation.

Her piece, This is What We're Doing Now, was an elegant exploration of weight sharing. Even when the dancers were not physically touching, it felt as though they were calmly attempting to maintain a precarious balance. Johan de Beshe and Irene Lutts melted effortlessly into Kelli's intricate physical vocabulary and share her introspective performing style. Their articulate limbs whispered nuances to match Schubert's muted tones.

This is What We're Doing Now is being remounted this weekend as part of Soaking WET, curated by David Parker, at the West End Theater in New York. If you have the chance, I highly recommend that you snag some tickets to see it.

Soaking WET

January 21-24, 2010

Christopher Caines, Kelli Edwards, Marta Miller & Aislinn MacMaster, Tiffany Mills, Kristi Spessard (Thursday-Saturday @ 7:00, Sunday @ 3:00) and Katherine Longstreth: Solo & Duets (Thursday-Sunday @ 8:30, Sunday @ 5:00).

Note: Tiffany Mills 1/21-22 only, Kristi Spessard 1/23-34 only

Special Performances: Amber Sloan: Sunken (Saturday @ 6:00, Sunday @ 1:00)

Tickets: $15/general, $10/artists.

Click here for reservations