Moira Dance Theatre presents The Record
The first spring HATCH presenting series of 2014 is just around the corner! This Saturday the Works welcomes Moira Dance Theatre as they present excerpts from The Record.
Moira Dance Theatre’s three founders – S.C. Lucier, Torrey McAnena, and Suzzanne Ponomarenko- met during their time spent at Marymount Manhattan. The team of graduates works together to create multi-medium theatrical works through their collaboration. The Record is a new work created by S.C. Lucier and Suzzanne Ponomarenko. Featuring dancers John Dwyer, Carlie Hollmann, Torrey McAnena, and Erika Langmeyer.
About the Company
Moira Dance Theatre is a performing arts company based out of New York City. The company originated from the partnerships between Choreographer/Dancer: Suzzanne Ponomarenko, Dancer: Torrey McAnena, and Theatrical Director: S.C. Lucier. Moira Dance Theatre’s mission is to utilize vocabulary of classical modern technique to spark new ideas and inspire audiences in a productive and proactive way. Moira strives to break down the barrier between the performer and the audience through a multi-medium production. Within the first year of conception, Moira Dance Theatre has premiered and performed new works at Peridance Student Showcase, GAP First Look Series, Triskelion Arts’ Collaboration in Dance Festival, Jennifer Muller’s HATCH performance series, and the Queens Dance Workshop Choreographer’s Spotlight Showcase. In addition to performing in New York City, Moira dance Theatre has toured and participated in the First Annual Detroit Dance City Festival. Moira is a recipient of the Harkness Center for Dance Artist Space Grant Program at the 92nd Street Y.
Suzzanne’s Thoughts on Choreography
Why is it helpful to present a work in progress?
Work in progress showcases are essential to our creative process. We are currently working towards an evening length piece entitled, The Record and use showcases such as HATCH to experiment with the ideas we have been working on in the studio. Having a responsive audience is a critical part of the developmental stages because it allows us to gauge where we are with our work and identify any sections that may have not fully translated as we anticipated.
We also want to give our dancers as many performance opportunities as possible as a way to help them deepen the relation with their character and the other players on stage.
Who are the most rewarding dancers for you to work with & why?
The most rewarding dancers to work with are those that believe in your vision and have the patience to see a project through to its completion. Being a dancer of a small company is not a financially rewarding job by any means. The dancer must truly resonate with you and the company for both dancer and artist to be equally satisfied.
Why is it important for you to present this piece of choreography to audiences in NYC?
By nature of location, NYC audiences are more acquainted with performance art and experimental works and are generally more comfortable with analyzing and communicating their ideas about a particular piece in a sophisticated manner. They are able to view a work in progress and understand that live performances are not always a completed idea but may be more like an impression.
What should HATCH audiences look forward to with your presentation of dance?
The HATCH audience should look forward to a diverse and intriguing sound scape as well as characterization expressed through rhythm and repetition.
Meet The Artists
John Dwyer will be graduating from Marymount Manhattan College in May 2014 with a BFA in Dance. John has been seen performing in works by Jeff Shade, Abdur Rahim Jackson, Jessica Lang, Deganit Shemy, Tami Stronach, Loni Landon, and most recently with Moira Dance Theatre.
Carlie Hollman will be graduating from Marymount Manhattan College this spring where she is pursuing her BA in Dance Education. Recently she has performed in works by Chase Brock and Elena Comendador and is currently studying with Katie Langan and Pedro Ruiz.
Torrey McAnena is a graduate of Marymount Manhattan College’s BFA Dance program. Originally from Abington, PA, she studied under Lisa Collins Vidnovic at Metropolitan Ballet Academy. She has performed works by choreographers such as Jessica Lang, Pam Tanowitz, Lar Lubovitch, kate Skarpetowska, and Kanji Segawa. This past year Torrey has participated in the Merce Cunningham Fellowship program and performed with the Amanda Selwyn Dance Theatre Company at New York Live Arts.
Erika Langmeyer is from Seattle, WA and graduated with a BFA in dance from George Mason University. She has most recently danced with Buglisi Dance Theatre, Naganuma Dance, The Moving Beauty Series, and Kinetic Architecture.
Come see Moira Dance Theatre in the HATCH presenting series
Saturday, April 5th.
-
BUY TICKETS HERE
- The Works Studio is located at 131 West 24th Street, 4th Floor (between 6th and 7th Avenue), in NYC.
- Doors at 6:30.
- Show begins at 7:00 pm.
- Tickets $15
Hatch Presenting Series 