Looking for dancers…please spread the word

The time has come to hire two new dancers.

here is what I’m looking for:

1. man or woman

2. interested in collaboration, but can take direction

3. values both physical and emotional rigor in performance

4. available for weekly rehearsals, a residency or two

5. appreciates long creative processes (my is around 2 years)

here is what I provide:

1. paid rehearsals, residencies, tech rehearsals, and performances

2. a thoughtful process that will push your limits, but will pay off

3. a pre-existing group of wonderful dancers who are eager to get to know you (Alli Ruszkowski, Richert Schnorr, Tara O’Con, Kendra Portier)

4. bonding over burgers and beer (vegetarians allowed)

5. as much visibility for you and our work as I can possibly muster

If interested please email me at megan@mvworks.org.

Claudia La Rocco on APAP …with a quote from me!

Check out this article on ArtForum.com: Stage Struck.

Claudia and I bumped into each other at the On the Boards event at PS122 which announced their new program OtB TV. [more info here]

A must read

Summing Up Alastair Macaulay

READ IT. Chime in.

Whew.

Well, my first true APAP experience was everything everyone said it would be. It was crazy, exhausting, full of opportunity (which you have to hunt down like a bloodhound sniffing, running, sniffing, running), and inevitably always requiring a cab/blackberry/lunch on the run. But even though there are visible bags under my eyes and my back and legs are tired, it was completely worth it. I danced, watched my dance unfold in front of dance legends, and I networked with the best of them. I am grateful for the opportunity, hopeful that more people will associate my name with quality work (weather they liked it or not), and I’m excited to harness this energy and let it propel us into our next process. Speaking of our next process… here is our updated blurb:

mvworks is currently working on a new evening length piece that will explore the contrasting ideas of independence, community, love, religion, and conformity. We will look at the power of the individual and the danger of the mass, while not forgetting the fear of being alone. The work will continue our investigation into audience and performer relationships, kinetic transfer, and will utilize a wide-ranging movement vocabulary from technically based phrases to an unpolished movement style.

Tech? Check.

Thanks to my lovely parents the set has arrived, my fabulous team has hung the speakers, lights, and drape, and the dancers worked their butts off. I’m still working at 2am. Yes, I do believe we have completed the task of load in.

I love working in the theater. Set pieces and theater seats instead of a desk and chair, speakers and lights instead of copy and fax machines, sweat instead of carpal tunnel. There is nothing quite like it, though I imagine a chef feels the same way about a gourmet kitchen. I seem to find a particular calm in the theater. Even if we are behind, or if something goes completely wrong, I know it will all work out. And, it always does.

I wish I had this level headedness in other aspects of my life. For those of you that know me, you know that I tend to over plan, want everything, and tend to stress easily if my plans and or systems are interrupted. Maybe all I need is more time in a theater. There’s a new years resolution…spend more time in a theater as my artist self. I think I can manage that.

Forgot why I was in a theater?
…within us.
presented as part of COIL 2010
Jan 6 at 6:30pm
Jan 8 at 9:30pm
Jan 9 at 4:30pm

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW! Friday is already sold out!!

We are ready

I just returned home from mvworks’ mandatory burgers and beer night out. The consensus: we are all a bit nervous but really excited.

The smaller performance space is sure to create some anxiety and possible changes once we get back into the theater, but honestly I can’t wait. We have been hard at work and it has paid off, …within us. is truly a stronger piece.  I am so pleased with the whole company for allowing the space for changes to be made while also holding true to the original intention and meaning of the work. I am particularly proud (if I can use such a word) of Kendra, our newest company member, who dove in head first and has become the partner the other dancers and the piece needs. Her addition brings strength, vivaciousness, and tenacity.

Even if you saw the work in May, I honestly feel that (if you enjoyed it) you should return and experience it again. The confines of the theater will make everything more intense, the clarity of intention we have found in recent rehearsals will transfer to you as a viewer, and the movement additions/changes will provide a fresh feeling.

As always, at this stage of the process I feel overwhelmed with emotion, to do’s, and limited time, but in the end, what an honor to work with these people, to remount my work, and to share it with presenters. Ready or not, here we come, again.

COIL is less 20 days away!!!

Whoa… and yep that’s right (less than 20). But have no fear we are ready and can’t wait to share ..within us. with more audiences and presenters. We will be off this week for the holidays and then back for one last studio rehearsal, our required burgers and beer company night out, and then into the theater we go. There are only 30 seats per performance this time around so purchase your tickets early (here is a helpful link).

AND Check out the new COIL trailer…

Only three more rehearsals

The company has been hard at work remembering, learning, and editing …within us. To date Kendra has learned the entire dance. We have also made some changes to the wall section, the trio, and are clarifying intention and emotional drive. It’s thrilling to bring the piece back to life, resurrecting it was easier than I thought. In fact it only took six rehearsals to do all of the above!  In the coming weeks we will continue to tighten everything up and make sure Kendra is prepared for human/audience obstacles. All in all we are in great shape. I am so excited to see it again.

…within us. in COIL!

We have great news! …within us. has been selected to participate in Performance Space 122’s annual winter festival COIL which takes place during the Association for Performing Artist Presenters (APAP) Conference! (whew…that was a mouth full)

We are extremely excited about this opportunity and we have already begun rehearsing. We also have a new dancer on board, meet Kendra Portier…here.

Dance on the Cover of the New York Times

On the cover, capital c Cover…

Yes, it is small photo at the very bottom of the page directing you further inside the paper. Yes, it is actually about a film about dance, and not just dance, The Paris Opera Ballet. And yes, the article features a very large photograph of a dancer in complicated lift with an upside down split, but still the visibility.

you can check out the article yourself here