Incubator for New Choreography to Feature Works-in-Progress Showings

'Out of the Box' choreography by Vincent Brewer

‘Out of the Box’ choreography by Vincent Brewer

(GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.) – Berkshire native Vincent Brewer has founded the Berkshire Choreography Project, an incubator for creating new cutting-edge, original choreography. The project is based at Berkshire Pulsein Housatonic, and will present two free, informal showings of works-in-progress on Friday, August 15, 2014, at 8pm and Saturday, August 16, at 7:30 pm.

“In the spirit of Ballet Russe, Diaghilev, and Stravinsky, the project will meld together a group of dynamic dancers, composers, and authors to create cutting-edge, original choreography,” said Brewer in a prepared statement. Berkshire Choreography Project will include professional dancers from Festival Ballet Providence and Dance Theatre of Harlem, a musician/composer from New England Conservatory, and a writer from Brown University, in addition to numerous talented dancers from the community.

Louisa Chapman, dancer-choreographer for Berkshire Choreography Project

Louisa Chapman, dancer-choreographer for Berkshire Choreography Project

Berkshire Choreography Project successfully raised over $3,000 through a 30-day Kickstarter campaign to raise funds to support the artists and to cover production costs for a two week creative workshop taking place at Berkshire Pulse between August 4 and August 16.

A number of exhilarating, experimental pieces are being planned for the project. Vincent Brewer will choreograph “Ghost,” a haunting story told from the perspectives of a dog, ghost and human, by North Adams native and Brown University graduate, Sarah Tourjee. The piece will explore how living things yearn to be seen and will also feature original music by Alfred Brewer, student at New England Conservatory and Great Barrington native.

Louisa Chapman, artist with Festival Ballet Providence, will choreograph a dance inspired by the four elements: Earth, Wind, Water, and Fire. She will use this concept to generate sharply contrasting styles of movement that create a dynamic, engaging whole.

 

'Out of the Box' choreography by Vincent Brewer

‘Out of the Box’ choreography by Vincent Brewer

Fredrick Davis, artist with Dance Theatre of Harlem, will choreograph two pieces for the project, a competitive pas de deux for two women showcasing elaborate, fast-paced pointe work and a strong male solo in the Lester Horton technique.
Brewer, Chapman, and Davis will be joined by Haruanga Yamakawa and Lauren Sylvia of Festival Ballet Providence and a number of talented professional and pre-professional dancers from the Berkshire Region.

 

The crux of the creative process will take place during an intense two weeks at Berkshire Pulse, Aug 4-16, where the dancers will work in the studios creating, developing, and setting new choreography. Berkshire Choreography Project is a place for artists of many different types to come together to create original work. Bettina Montano, artistic director of Berkshire Pulse, where the project will take place, says, “We are so happy to be hosting the first Berkshire Choreography Project here in our new studios. The project offers a wonderful learning opportunity to our dancers and community members and its goal of artistic collaboration truly speaks to our mission.”

The culmination of the entire project will be the two informal showings on Aug 15 and 16 at Berkshire Pulse (420 Park Street, Housatonic, MA 01236), to share the original choreography developed during the two weeks.

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