2003-2004 PROJECTS
Philadanco/Danco
Camp Residency (July-August)
Project Contact: Peter Lesser, The Egg
The Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center (AKA: The Egg) offered a summer
performance celebrating African-American women choreographers by the internationally
celebrated Philadelphia Dance Company, popularly known as Philadanco. Entitled
"Messages from the Heart" the August 1st, 8 PM performance was preceded
by a 4-day DancoCamp residency with two members of the company offering workshops,
lecture/demonstrations and other activities to a number of community organizations.
Capital Region Schools Dance Abilities
Awareness Partnership (October)
Project Contact: Siobhan Quinn, Hudson Valley Community College
During the week of October 6, 2003, Hudson Valley Community College (HVCC) hosted
a performance and workshops by Cleveland's Dancing Wheels at its seventh annual
Abilities Awareness Week. This marked the first true dance residency at the
community college. The company is one of the nation's premier modern dance companies
that integrates professional stand-up and sit-down (wheelchair) dancers. Students
first attended a daytime performance of the company at HVCC on October 7, 2003
and then participated in workshops with members of the touring company who taught
the May O'Donnell dance technique.
Lansingburg
School District Dance Partnership (November & December)
Project Contact: Siobhan Quinn, Hudson Valley Community College
Through the Hudson Valley Community College Performing Arts & Cultural Affairs
Department, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC) members conducted movement in
the Lansingburg School District at Turnpike Elementary School and Lansingburgh
High School. Following these experiences, the students attended a performances
by ESDC at HVCC on Thursday, November 20 and Friday, November 21. Company members
then returned to the school for follow-up workshops with these classes.
Duanesburg
and Cohoes Cultural Dance Project (October-May)
Project Contact: Christine Sheehan, Proctor's Theater
The seventh grade students at Duanesburg Junior High School and Cohoes Middle
School will experience a mirror residency program in dance, art and cultural
diversity during the 2003-2004 season. Students will participate in a series
of dance workshops by local dance artist Maude Baum who will prepare them to
see a performance by Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre at Proctor's Theater
on May 12. The project was kicked off in October when some students attended
African dance workshops given by Tiffany Wilson that preceded their attendance
at a performance of "Drummers of West Africa" at Proctor's on November
6.
District-Wide
4th Grade Residency (October - June)
Project Contact: Kim Engel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
Scotia-Glenville School District continues its commitment to integrating dance
with performance for all of the fourth grades in the district. In partnership
with the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC), Scotia-Glenville will provide
a five-day dance residency, attendance at two dance performances (one at Hudson
Valley Community College and one by ESDC held in the district), and a performance
sharing by the students for their community.
Battleworks
Dance Company in Schuylerville (February)
Project Contact: Toni Smith
Battleworks Dance Company will present a school day performance at Schuylerville
Elementary School in Saratoga. The performance will be preceded by movement
workshops with local artists as well as the production and presentation of a
teacher study guide. Members of Battleworks will also visit classrooms on the
day of the performance for informal question and answer sessions. Students will
be asked to write about their experience and the project will culminate with
student, teacher and artist evaluations. Teachers at the school will also be
given complimentary tickets to see the company in a formal evening performance
at Skidmore College.
Rennie
Harris Puremovement (February 13)
Project Contact: Peter Lesser
Rennie Harris Puremovement, America's most highly acclaimed hip-hop dance ensemble
will perform at The Egg, the Empire State Plaza's Center for the Performing
Arts, on Friday, February 13th at 8 PM. The performance is part of the company's
10th anniversary tour, and will include a number of outreach activities that
will introduce young people to this dynamic contemporary dance style. Events
include a "Hip-Hop Informance" as well as an open rehearsal. Participating
organizations include the Brighter Day Charter School, Albany Boys & Girls
Club, Student Theatre Opportunity Program and the After-School Program of the
New York State Museum.
Elisa
Monte Dance Company Residency (February 15 - March 5)
Project Contact: Peter Lesser, The Egg
The Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center will present the Elisa Monte Dance
Company, performing the premiere of "Via Sacra" and other works on
February 27, 2004. Part of a three-week educational and creative residency,
the Elisa Monte Dance Company will provide a series of workshops and lecture/demonstrations
in schools throughout the Capital Region.
Fifth
Grade Dance Experience (February & March)
Project Contact: Kim Engel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company
The Fifth Grade Dance Experience project was designed by the Capital Region
BOCES Arts & Enrichment Services, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company (ESDC)
and the principal, teachers and members of the Arts committee of Abram Lansing
Elementary School in Cohoes. The project provides both participatory and presentational
aspects so that students gain an understanding of the art form from both vantage
points. Activities in the project include movement workshops for students prior
to and following a performance by the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company at The Egg
in February 2004.
Emma
Willard Dance Company Tour to (April 22-26)
Project Contact: Sue Lauther, Emma Willard School
Emma Willard's dance department has provided its students with a dance company
experience for the past 10 years. Each spring the company presents a concert
as well as travels locally to provide informal performances and workshops. The
dance company will acquire a new dance work by guest artist Kerry Kreiman which
will premiere on Emma Willard's Spring Concert May 21. In addition, the company
will tour locally giving presentations at the Dance Flurry February on13-15,
The Tulip Festival on May 8-9 and local senior centers in April.
OASIS
Program: Taking a Look at Dance (April)
Project
Contact: Kim Engel, University at Albany Performing Arts Center
"Taking a Look at Dance" is a program offering for OASIS' (Older Adult
Services and Information Systems) Spring 2004 course schedule that was designed
collaboratively by the University at Albany Performing Arts Center (PAC) and
OASIS staff. Partners in Dance members involved in the project include the PAC,
National Museum of Dance, Dance Alliance, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company and The
Egg. The three-date course offering will take place in April 2004 and will consist
of a guided tour of a dance museum, a lecture with a guest artist, participation
in or observation of a movement workshop, attendance at an open rehearsal, a
reception with a dance company and their collaborating artists, a pre-show talk
and a performance by a national touring company.
The
Flight Project: Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (April 16-17)
Project Contact: Peter Lesser, The Egg
The Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center will present the Dayton Contemporary
Dance Company, performing selections from its "Flight Project" on
April 17, 2004. Related activities, targeted toward young people considered
"at risk" as well as general audiences will include an "Informance"
and open rehearsal on April 16, and a lecture/demonstration at the National
Museum of Dance on April 17. Project partners include Albany Boys & Girls
Club, Student Theatre Opportunity Program, New York State Museum Cultural Program,
Youth Advancement Through Music and the Arts, and the Hamilton Hill Arts &
Crafts Center as well as the National Museum of Dance.