CINCINNATI, OH — Cincinnati’s resident Modern Dance company, MamLuft&Co. Dance, announces the premiere of a new work titled DOUBLE|SIDED (Jan. 14-17). The performance opens MamLuft&Co. Dance’s ninth home season, “The Year of Doubles,” which also includes The Double (May 20-21).
DOUBLE|SIDED employs perspective, framing, a split audience, and the absence of a fourth wall — or any stage-defining walls, for that matter — to explore conflict and community.
The world premiere is presented in collaboration with the Clifton Cultural Arts Center, where MamLuft&Co. Dance is housed. The Clifton Cultural Arts Center is truly a regional Cultural Arts Center encompassing – and preserving – over 53,000 square feet of historically significant space in an urban campus. CCAC has welcomed over 150,000 visitors for an exhibit, concert, theater performance, civic function, or class since opening its doors in 2008. CCAC’s mission is to strengthen the critical link between participation in the cultural arts and successful, healthy children, adults, and communities. Created specifically for the grand auditorium in what was originally a schoolhouse built in 1906, DOUBLE|SIDED capitalizes on the architecture to create a unique experience for audiences.
In many ways, DOUBLE|SIDED presents dance in ways most people have never experienced.
Audiences will not only face each other, split in halves, but they will also be enveloped by the performance. Audiences can then uniquely experience — in remarkable proximity — the power of the performers in a way that is just not possible in large proscenium houses.
The performers also employ two moveable walls to create framing, obscure, reveal, build, and break-down. DOUBLE|SIDED pushes, pulls, encircles, collides, divides, and unifies. The experience, combined with daring athletic physicality, goes beyond engaging.
The new dance work opens eyes through its meaning, as well, using movement and staging as metaphors for communal division and harmony. Inspired by recent events and growing tensions in America, break-out choreographers Elena Rodriguez and Steven Evans explore individual and cultural presumptions and perspectives. The two choreographers premiere as headliners in this work and bring fresh artistry to the company of nine years.
Choreographer Steven Evans says, “We were drawn by many contemporary conflicts in our communities and our world…Our differences can either be used to stifle progress, or they can be used to find likeness and understanding. Our piece examines ourselves and our own prejudices. ”
Partner Elena Rodriguez says about the process of making DOUBLE|SIDED: “It was a very personal process that dug deep for Steven and me: we were forced to analyze our own biases and perspectives and take responsibility for our roles in creating social change. We asked the dancers to do the same and bring their own opinions and personal experiences to the table. We worked to create movement that we felt represented ourselves and then began creating a story about finding acceptance and understanding with others who are not like us or who may think differently. We wanted to build a piece that showed how volatile and aggressive human confrontation can be, as well as one that portrayed some of the beauty and understanding within true human connection.”
Premiering as Company dancers in this performance are McKenzie Barkdull (Salt Lake City, Utah), Christina Cairns (Farmington Hills, Michigan), and Amelia Koper Heintzelman (Muncie, Indiana).
Performances are Thursday through Sunday, January 14 through 17, 2016 (Thu./Sun. performances at 7pm at discounted rates, Fri./Sat. at 8pm). Tickets are available now at MLCo.org, at 513.494.MLCo (6526) M-F 11am-4pm, and at the Clifton Cultural Arts Center (3711 Clifton Ave, call 513-497-2860 for hours, as they vary). Tickets purchased before January 1 are 15% off.
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