COMPANY REPERTOIRE
Beleza Bahia, Natureza Viva!, Solte Sua Samba (2011) – This trio of choreography represents traditional community building dances of Brazil, including: Dances of the Orixás, Afoxe/Samba de Roda, and Pagode/Samba. These colorful new pieces express the Afro-Brazilian experience through folkloric and interpretive choreography.
30 going on HAG (2011) - This new quartet is about society's antiquated gravitational pull on women, and what is deemed acceptable for women in their thirties: marriage, stable career, and kids. It looks at the wake of these preconceived notions as to what constitutes as respectable. This dark choreography addresses what it's like to take on the pressures of society, nature, and one's personal fears, as a woman in her 30's. An ode to the single, temporary job having, childless woman’s midlife crisis.
(For) Those We Left Behind (2010) - This piece is an exploration of families who fought for the opportunity to immigrate to the US, and in turn settled in Brooklyn. It looks at how they've carried the baggage of their homelands, the struggles, the guilt of not being able to take entire families across oceans to a better life. The story is told through the haunting imagery of family members stuck in their native lands. Dancers embody these ghost like characters as if they have emerged from the East River to tell of the harsh conditions they live/d in. The choreography delves into the recognition of our vulnerability, a surrender of our desire to control events, and concept of morphing transformation. Choreography embodies Modern dance with traditional Israeli folk dance. Live music by bassist Michael Thurber, inspired by Klezmer and Gypsy music.
Shades of Gray (2009) - Since the time of colonization, the United States has questioned the theme of interracial marriage and identity of mixed race children: legal rights, identity struggles, and overall acceptance. Shades of Gray is a modern dance trio that explores the personal trials of people of interracial backgrounds, their intrinsic plight to understand themselves in a world that labels them as "other," and the hardships faced caused by a close minded society.
Breathless (2008) - is a Modern Dance piece choreographed by Denise Brown, Jillian Perkins and Joya Powell. Since the civil rights rally in Jena, La on September 20th, 2007 up to 50-60 noose related incidents have occurred in the U.S., nearly five times more than within the past decade. These occurrences are due to the nation's lack of education and apathetic stance towards racial relations. Breathless explores these issues and our responsibility as a nation to incite change.
A Girl Like Me (2007) - is an Afro-Fusion/Modern Dance piece based on the
acclaimed documentary A Girl Like Me by Kiri Davis. Set to music by Nina Simone, the choreography reflects personal experiences of the company members in three distinct sections. This piece mirrors
the documentary focusing on how young African-American women see
themselves in today's society.
La Ironia del Duende (2006) - this choreography struggles with the traditional
Flamenco and Gypsy concept of the Duende, the dark depths one must
traverse in order to create profound works of art. It is set in Guernica,
a small town in Southern Spain, during the Spanish Civil War
(1936-1939). In 1937 Guernica fell victim to the forces of Hitler and
Mussolini, allies of the Spanish Government. It was the first aerial
bombardment in history in which a civilian population was attacked with
the apparent objective of generating total destruction. The piece also
features two poems by the celebrated Spanish writer Federico Garcia
Lorca: "Paisaje" and "El Grito," recorded by Bárbara Martínez.
Las Madres (2005) - is a modern dance/Tango influenced composition based on the history of the socio-political organization of Las Madres de la Plaza de Mayo: a group of women whose family members had “disappeared” during the Military Dictatorship in Argentina. These women took action by protesting in the Plaza de Mayo against the governments' cruelty, and who have since continue to bring justice and humanity to Argentina. This piece addresses the perils of a military regime and the strength of unity.
Movimento do Povo (2001) - is a piece for nine dancers and is a fusion of modern dance, Afro-Brazilian dance, and Dances of the Orixás. This work focuses on different social issues in Brazil and how the people remain strong through their faith.
Efeitos da Conquista (1999) - is a modern dance piece laced
with elements of Capoeira. The subject of this piece is
the dual effect colonialism had on both the indigenous people of Brazil and the
colonizers.
Movement of the People Dance Company All Rights Reserved © 2011
