a c i s IMAGE CREDIT: SANKAI JUKU
MODLIN ARTS PRESENTS
SANKAI JUKU KŌSA between two mirrors October 18, 2023 | 7:30 PM Alice Jepson Theatre
UN I VE R SI TY of RICHMOND MODLIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Thank You
THIS ENGAGEMENT OF
SANKAI JUKU, KŌSA between two mirrors
IS MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY THE GENEROUS SUPPORT OF
Louis S. Booth Arts Fund Dewitt Fund for the Arts H. Gerald Quigg Arts Endowment THANKS TO OUR 2023 -2024 MODLIN ARTS PRESENTS SEASON SPONSORS & COMMUNITY PARTNERS
E. Rhodes and Leona B. Carpenter Foundation Cultural Affairs Committee A. Dale Mayo Fund Virginia B. Modlin Endowment Department of Music, University of Richmond
Clinton Webb Fund
Norman and Gay Leahy William and Pamela O’Connor
elcome
WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE OUR 2023-2024 SEASON! At Modlin Center for the Arts, we are committed to providing the University of Richmond campus and our broader community with the best in diverse, thought-provoking, and captivating performances. Each season is cultivated with our attention to showcasing artists who provide insight into our shared humanity. At the University of Richmond, we pledge to you—our patrons and partners, on campus and in our region—that the arts will provide broad access to rich voices, creative passion, and unforgettable experiences. Modlin is more than our presenting series. We operate as the home for our academic partners within the School of Arts & Sciences, providing spaces for conversation, connection, and collaboration across disciplines. Explore the full range of opportunities from the Department of Music, Department of Theatre & Dance, and University Museums. Don’t miss the extensive calendar of FREE concerts, performances, and exhibits, and make plans to join us. I hope that you will also consider a contribution to the Modlin Center for the Arts. Your backing is a vital endorsement of the value that Modlin contributes to our cultural landscape. We are deeply grateful to have you include Modlin in your cultural investments. Thank you for being a valued member of our community of the arts. I look forward to seeing you at Modlin performances in 2023-24 and to hearing what moves you this year!
Paul Brohan, Executive Director
MODLIN ARTS
AUGUST 2023
2023/24 Calendar
Queer Pioneers: LGBTQ+ History Through the Photographs of Robert Giard On view 28 Aug - 8 Dec
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Making Your Mark: Prints and Drawings from the Hechinger Collection On view 28 Aug - 8 Dec
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Crystals: Minerals from the Collection On view through 4 May
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Therefore I Am: Portraits from the Joel and Lila Harnett Print Study Center On view through 30 Jun
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FALL P Ticketed: Paid F Free: Tickets/Registration Required
Free: No Tickets/Registration Required F
Modlin Arts Presents Department of Theatre and Dance Department of Music University Museums Tucker Boatwright Festival
SEPTEMBER David Esleck Trio Thu 7 Sep 7:30pm
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Marty Stuart Thu 14 Sep 7:30pm
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Volcano Theatre, Book of Life Sat 23 Sep 7:30pm
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We All Break & Leyla McCalla Thu 28 Sep 7:30pm
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Family Weekend Concert Fri 29 Sep 7:30pm
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OCTOBER
NOVEMBER
Rhiannon Giddens & The Legendary Ingramettes Sun 1 Oct 7pm
ShoutHouse Fri 3 Nov 7:30pm
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Jazz & Contemporary Combos Wed 8 Nov 7:30pm
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J’Nai Bridges, Mezzo-Soprano Thu 9 Nov 7:30pm
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Terence Blanchard, Fire Shut Up in My Bones Sun 12 Nov 7:30pm
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Sky Hopinka: Masterclass and Film Screening Mon-Wed 13–15 Nov
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Popular Music Ensemble Tue 14 Nov 7:30pm
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White Pearl Thu-Sat 5-7 Oct 7:30pm Sun 8 Oct 2pm
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Company SBB // Stephanie Batten Bland, Embarqued: Stories of Soil P Fri Oct 6 7:30pm The Acting Company, Odyssey Wed 11 Oct 7:30pm
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Sankai Juku, KŌSA– between two mirrors Thu 19 Oct 7:30pm
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Davison Plays Davison Fri 20 Oct 7:30pm
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13th Annual Celebration of Dance @ UR! Sat 21 Oct 7:30pm
Jazz Ensembles: Little Big Band with Black & White Wed 15 Nov 7:30pm F
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Kiara Vigil: Keynote Lecture Thu 16 Nov 4:30pm
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Fairview Thu-Sat 16-18 Nov 7:30pm Sat 18 - Sun 19 Nov 2pm
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Global Sounds Sun 19 Nov 3pm
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UR Wind Ensemble Mon 20 Nov 7:30pm
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Canadian Brass, Holiday Show Wed 29 Nov 7:30pm
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Family Arts Day: Barefoot Puppet Theatre, New Squid on the Block Sun 22 Oct 1pm-4pm
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Kenny Barron Voyage Trio Wed 25 Oct 7:30pm
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Inon Barnatan, Alisa Weilerstein & James Ehnes, Swan Song, The Schubert Project P Fri 27 Oct 7:30pm Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale Sun 29 Oct 3pm
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DECEMBER 50th Annual Festival of Lessons and Carols Sun 3 Dec 5pm, 8pm
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Chamber Ensembles Mon 4 Dec 7:30pm
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University Symphony Orchestra Wed 6 Dec 7:30pm F
MODLIN ARTS
JANUARY 2024
2023/24 Calendar
Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis, Max Roach Centennial P Thu 25 Jan 7:30pm
SPRING P Ticketed: Paid F Free: Tickets/Registration Required F Free: No Tickets/Registration Required
Modlin Arts Presents Department of Theatre and Dance Department of Music University Museums Tucker Boatwright Festival
Richard Becker Piano Concert Wed 31 Jan 7:30pm
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FEBRUARY Hamid Rahmanian, Song of the North Fri 2 Feb 7:30pm
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Paul Hanson Piano Concert Sun 4 Feb 3pm
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Layale Chaker & Sarafand, with Kinan Azmeh Fri 16 Feb 7:30pm
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Zuill Bailey, Cello Wed 28 Feb 7:30pm
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Yiman Wang: Keynote Lecture Tue 20 Feb 12pm
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Alexa Joubin: Keynote Lecture Thu 22 Feb 12pm
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MARCH
APRIL
MOVING | BODIES BODIES | MOVING University Dancers 39th Annual Concert Fri-Sat 1-2 Mar 7:30pm Sun 3 Mar 2pm
Emanuel Ax, Piano Fri 5 Apr 7:30pm
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UR Wind Ensemble Mon 8 Apr 7:30pm
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UR Jazz & Contemporary Combos Thu 11 Apr 7:30pm
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Doris Wylee-Becker Piano Concert Sun 3 Mar 3pm
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Richmond Piano Trio Mon 4 Mar 7:30pm
Natu Camara Fri 12 Apr 7:30pm
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Schola Cantorum & Women’s Chorale Sun 14 Apr 3pm
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Popular Music Ensemble Tue 16 Apr 7:30pm
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UR Symphony Orchestra Wed 17 Apr 7:30pm
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Everybody 18-20 Apr 7:30pm 21 Apr 2pm
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Danish String Quartet Sat 20 Apr 7:30pm
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Global Sounds Sun 21 Apr 3pm
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UR Chamber Ensembles Mon 22 Apr 7:30pm
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Cuban Spectacular Thu 25 Apr 7:30pm
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Martha Graham Dance Company Fri 22 Mar 7:30pm Brad Mehldau, Piano Sun 24 Mar 7:30pm Chris Thile, Mandolin Wed 27 Mar 7:30pm
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PHOTO CREDIT: SANKAI JUKU
MODLIN CENTER FOR THE ARTS presents SANKAI JUKU KŌSA between two mirrors Tonight’s performance will run approximately 83 minutes, without intermission. No photography or recording of any kind is permitted. Artistic Director, Choreography, Design Ushio Amagatsu Assistant Director Semimaru Music YAS-KAZ Yoichiro Yoshikawa Dancers Sho Takeuchi Akihito Ichihara Dai Matsuoka Norihito Ishii Taiki Iwamoto Makoto Takese Sōtaro Ito
Stage Manager Keiji Morita Lighting Genta Iwamura Sound Akira Aikawa Costume Realization Masayo Iizuka Administration Midori Okuyama, Asami Hori Pomegranate Arts Production Supervisor Doug Witney Pomegranate Arts Tour Manager Tim Grassel Produced by Sankai Juku (Tokyo, Japan) North American Tour Producer Pomegranate Arts Linda Brumbach & Alisa E. Regas for Sankai Juku The 2023 North American tour of Sankai Juku is supported by the Agency for Cultural Affairs, Government of Japan through the Japan Arts Council. Make up provided by Shiseido Company, Limited.
KŌSA – between two mirrors Over the past thirty-five years, the work of Tokyo-based company Sankai Juku has become known worldwide for its elegance, refinement, technical precision, and emotional depth. Founder Ushio Amagatsu’s contemporary Butoh creations are sublime visual spectacles and deeply moving theatrical experiences. He is one of the premiere choreographers at work in the world today. Created in 2022, KŌSA consists of excerpts from pieces from Sankai Juku’s repertoire that have been reimagined to constitute a work in its own right. Amagatsu has built this new evening-length work in an effort to present the most essential elements of his vision: “By using no decor, only pure dance and the philosophical perception of images, I tried to bring everyone into my universe with as much curiosity as that which inhabited us at the first creation.”
BIOGRAPHIES USHIO AMAGATSU Ushio Amagatsu was born in Yokosuka, Japan in 1949 and founded Butoh company Sankai Juku in 1975. He created Amagatsu Sho (1977), Kinkan Shonen (1978), and Sholiba (1979) before the first world tour in 1980. Since 1981 (the year he created Bakki for Festival d’Avignon), France and The Théâtre de la Ville, Paris have been his places for creation and work. He has created 16 co-produced pieces with Théâtre de la Ville, Paris since 1982. Amagatsu also works independently outside Sankai Juku. In 1988 he created “Fushi” at the invitation of the Jacob’s Pillow Foundation in the US, with music by Philip Glass. In 1989, he was appointed Artistic Director of the Spiral Hall in Tokyo, where he directed “Apocalypse” (1989) and “Fifth-V” (1990). In February 1997, he directed the opera “Bluebeard’s Castle” by Bartok, conducted by Peter Eötvos, at the Tokyo International Forum. In March 1998, at Opéra National de Lyon, France, he directed Peter Eötvos’s opera “Three Sisters” (world premiere), which received “Prix du Syndicat National de la Critique, France.” “Three Sisters” was seen in the 2001-2002 season at Théâtre du Chatelet in Paris, at Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie in Brussels, at Opéra National de Lyon, and at Wiener Festwochen 2002 in Austria. In March 2008, Amagatsu directed “Lady Sarashina,” Peter Eötvos’s new opera at Opéra National de Lyon (world premiere). “Lady Sarashina” again received “Prix du Syndicat National de la Critique, France” and was seen at Opera Comique in February 2009 and at Teatr Wielki, Polish National Opera, in Warsaw in April 2013. Amagatsu has presided on the jury of the International Choreographic Competition of the National Academy of Dance, Italy (2011), the jury of the Toyota Choreography award (2002 – 2005) and the jury of the International Meeting of Dance of Bagnolet (1992). Awards and merits given include: Commandeur de l’ordre des Arts et des Lettres by the French Cultural Ministry (2014), the Purple-Ribbon Medal by the Japanese government (2011), the Geijyutsu Sensho Prize (Art Encouragement Prize) from the Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (2004), and the Chevalier de l’ordre des Arts et des Letters by French Cultural Ministry (1992). “HIBIKI” received a Laurence Olivier Award in category of Best New Dance Production (2002). Books include “Ushio Amagatsu, Des rivages d’enfance au bûto de Sankai
Juku” (biography dictated by Kyoko Iwaki, Actes Sud, 2013, France) and “Dialogue avec la gravité” (published by Actes Sud, 2000, France and Iwanami Shoten, 2015, Japan). SEMIMARU A founding member of Sankai Juku, Semimaru has participated in all Sankai Juku activities since its founding in 1975. In 1985, he began his solo career, often performing outside of the theater. In 1990, he launched Kokutoin. The group continues to gather an unspecified number of members for each performance and continues to create works. From 1987 to 1996, he held dance workshops every summer at different locations in the form of training camps, and since 1999 he has established an atelier in the Kurobe River basin in Toyama Prefecture, where he holds training camps and performances every summer, and teaches younger dancers. He generally performs outdoors and creates works that are appropriate to the location, calling it “dialogue with the magnetic field,” and likes to observe the connection between the space, the body, and the spirit. ABOUT SANKAI JUKU Sankai Juku is a Butoh dance company founded by Ushio Amagatsu in 1975. The company has premiered a new piece approximately once every two years at Théâtre de la Ville, Paris, a center for contemporary dance. Sankai Juku is one of the few dance companies that Théâtre de la Ville, Paris has commissioned continuously for 35 years. Artistic Director Ushio Amagatsu trained in both classical and modern dance before becoming immersed in Butoh. For Amagatsu, Butoh expresses the language of the body. In the 1970s, Amagatsu drew mostly on his own individual experience for inspiration. During the 1980s he spent most of his time working in Europe and the inspiration for his work became more universal. In his works, Amagatsu presents an abstract vision of the infinite and explores evolutionary movement. Major themes that he examines are the relationship of the body to gravity and the relationship between gravity, the earth, and the environment. The company has toured internationally since 1980 and performed in over 700 cities in 48 countries throughout Europe, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas. They have been highly praised in different cultures for over 35 years, which is a testament to the universal nature of Sankai Juku’s work. While crossing over geographic boarders and appealing to diverse audiences, the company has been developing the themes of their work while searching for and moving towards new realms. Sankai Juku received the Japan Foundation Award in 2013.
ABOUT POMEGRANATE ARTS Since 1998, Pomegranate Arts has worked in close collaboration with a small group of contemporary artists and arts institutions to bring bold and ambitious artistic ideas to fruition. Creative and executive producers Linda Brumbach and Alisa E. Regas, along with their committed team at Pomegranate Arts, have produced the Olivier Award-winning revival of Einstein on the Beach; Taylor Mac’s epic A 24-Decade History of Popular Music, Holiday Sauce, and now – their 3rd collaboration together – a rock opera mediation on queerness called Bark of Millions; Available Light by John Adams, Lucinda Childs and Frank Gehry; Robin Frohardt’s The Plastic Bag Store; Phelim McDermott and Julian Crouch’s Shockheaded Peter; and the Drama Desk Award-winning production of Charlie Victor Romeo. In recent years, Linda and Alisa have expanded the vision of the company by producing in non-performative mediums, including their first feature documentary film Taylor Mac’s 24-Decade History of Popular Music (HBO Original Doc), the film short Taylor Mac’s Whitman in the Woods. (ALL ARTS), and museum installations for Machine Dazzle. Their first book, a special box set edition of Philip Glass Piano Etudes: The Complete Folios 1-20 with Essays by Fellow Artists, will be published by Artisan Books in October 2023. In addition to our own productions, Pomegranate Arts is proud to support North American touring for Batsheva Dance Company and Sankai Juku. www.pomegranatearts.com POMEGRANATE ARTS IS THE NORTH AMERICAN REPRESENTATION OF SANKAI JUKU: For Pomegranate Arts: Creative & Executive Producer Linda Brumbach Creative & Executive Producer Alisa E. Regas General Manager Rachel Katwan Director of Production Jeremy Lydic Executive Administrator Jake Stepansky Operations Consultant Kaleb Kilkenny
“Attending a piece of choreography of Ushio Amagatsu of Sankai Juku is an encounter with a man who has explored existence and poetry for more than twenty years, open to the public as a space of meditation. Spectators are even absorbed in the very fine ramification of movement. Strange processes, between hypnosis and vigilance, that invite spectators, to the very heart of mystery of dance.” ~ Le Monde
Modlin Arts Presents BAREFOOT PUPPET THEATRE, NEW SQUID ON THE BLOCK
t onds
Sun 22 Oct 2023 Camp Concert Hall
It can be hard to make friends Journey to Antarctica as a curious squid seeks connection in the most unlikely of places.
KENNY BARRON VOYAGE TRIO Wed 25 Oct 2023 Camp Concert Hall
Barron’s trio, with bassist Kiyoshi Kitagawa and drummer Johnathan Blake, is known for their dynamic and soulful performances which showcase Barron’s virtuosic piano.
INON BARNATAN, SWAN SONG Fri 27 OCT, 2023 Camp Concert Hall
Crafted around a selection of Franz Schubert’s final works, Barnatan is joined by Alisa Weilerstein, cello, and James Ehnes, violin.
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