D i s s o n a n c e
D a n c e
T h e a t r e
Shawn Short, Founder/Producing Artistic Director
2017-2018 Season Brochure
Rewind 2 Fast Forward Oct 7th, 2017 Habibi Dec 9th-10th, 2017 Lenny B: An Evening of Leonard Bernstein Feb 24th-25th, 2018 The J.I.N. Project Mar 3rd, 2018 Tainted Black Mar 17th-18th,2018 Mahogany Strings April 21st, 2018 *Dates subject to change. Contact our website for updates.
Cover Image: Heather Carlson, Jaylon Givan Above Image: Phillip Fobbs Images (c) Shawn Short
Season
Season
2015 2016
2017 2018
As we step into a new decade of artistic excellence and innovation, Dissonance Dance Theatre continues to evolve. We are proud. You will see many new faces amongst DDT’s dancer ranks, and exciting productions in the Washington, D.C. area and nationally - touring Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Charlotte, North Carolina. We are excited to bring you another full season of dance artistry, with four exciting D.C.based productions to the Atlas Performing Arts Center, Dance Place, and the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center; additional performances in Philadelphia at the Painted Bride, and Charlotte at the Blumenthal Performing Arts. The season presents works inspired by culture, community, music and classical ballet-choreographic innovation. We present seven world-premieres, guest choreographers Kjara StariÄ? Wurst (Slovenia), Maleek Washington (NYC/Broadway Dance Center), Edward Franklin (Philadanco/Ailey/ Oakland Ballet), Jamie Thompson (Dallas Black), and New Voices of Dance alumnus Kareem B. Goodwine .
We continue to be a space for emerging dance artists locally, nationally and internationally. Dissonance provides a home for contemporary exploration of classical ballet and modern dance styles. In this brochure, learn more about these exciting programs, our theatrical production season, community events and how you can help us grow. Hope to see you in the theatre.
Shawn Short, MFA
Founder/Producing Artistic Director Principal Choreographer
CONTENTS
Theatrical Season Pg. 1 Ticket Information Pg. 7 Guest Choreographers Pg. 8 Meet The Artists Pg. 10 Ngoma Center for Dance Pg. 11 Give to Ngoma/DDT Pg. 14 Stay Connected With Us Pg. 16
Dancer: Karina Biancone
2017-2018 Season
Rewind 2 Fast Forward Oct 7th, 2017 Ernst Theater, Annandale, VA
An evening of tantalizing dance performance featuring dance works from Principal Choreographer Shawn Short, with works from Kareem B. Goodwine and Slovenian Choreographer Kjara StariÄ? Wurst ;mixed-bill of contemporary dance ranging from classical ballet to jazz. Dancers: Christine Motta, Momo Sakai, Jessica Potts
1. 1.
2017-2018 Season
Habibi
Dec 9th-10th, 2017 Dance Place, Washington, DC
Inspired by the musical sounds of the ancient Silk Road trade routes and Gary Chapman’s five “love languages,” Habibi traces the communication of love between friends, lovers and family - fusing the sounds of the east with dance of the west. Performed to traditional Hebrew song, and as well as music by Yo Yo Ma and the Silk Road Ensemble, Timberland, Hassaon Hakmoun, Ahmed Qawala, Lata Mangeshkar, and Shades of Black. “Love is universal, complex and simple. To be loved is to be human. Choosing the way to love can make or destroy human connectivity. In today’s world, we have to choose to sustain its efforts or the communication of love is dead. - Shawn Short, Principal Choreographer
2.
Dancers: Anthony Spivey, Phillip Fobbs
2017-2018 Season
Lenny B: An Evening of Leonard Bernstein Feb 24th-Feb 25th, 2018 Atlas Performing Arts Center, Washington, DC
Great classical music fills the air during Lenny B: An evening of Leonard Bernstein. A mixed evening bill of dances performed to Bernstein-composed or conducted scores, including:
Rhapsody in Blue, Fancy Free and West Side Story. Premiering “Tickling The Ivories”, “Two Dames Named Mary” and “Da Kids”. “Tickling The Ivories” an African-American experience adapted from historic U-Street DC history, performed to Bernstein’s conducted Rhapsody in Blue. “Two Dames Named Mary” a fun one-act story ballet about two best friends named Mary and their journey to fit into a new city performed to Bernstein’s Fancy Free. “Da Kids” is a performed to a Bernstein’s West Side Story medley telling the story of youth finding acceptance, love and community.
Dancers: Emma Button
3.
2017-2018 Season
The J.I.N. Project
Mar 3rd, 2018 Kay Theater (UMD), College, Park, MD
An evening of contemporary ballet inspired and performed to the music of Jill Scott, India Arie, and Nina Simone. Centered around the examination of relationships, the warm feeling of family and the celebration of community, The J.I.N Project is a production for all. The J.I.N. Project features Dissonance Dance Theatre and community youth dancers from Ngoma Center for Dance.
4.
Dancers: Jessica Potts, Jaylon Givan
2017-2018 Season
Tainted Black
Mar 17th-18th, 2018 Painted Bride, Philadelphia, PA
21st Century African-American choreographers are celebrated in an evening of theatrical drama, rhythm articulation, body sophistication and nerve. Dancers take the stage, performing contemporary ballet, modern and jazz styles. Feature choreographers include Kareem B. Goodwine (Grace Dance Theater), Maleek Washington (Broadway Dance Center), Edward Franklin (Ailey), and DDT’s Principal Choreographer Shawn Short Dancers: Heather Carlson, Phillip Fobbs
5.
2017-2018 Season
Mahogany Strings
Apr 21st, 2018 Booth Theater, Charlotte, NC
Mahogany Strings features DMV’s award-winning contemporary ballet Dissonance Dance Theatre with music by classical and urban-infused classical composers. A mixed-repertory dance concert where classical ballet changes stylistic perception through music: classical, jazz, and hip-hop.
6.
Dancers: Heather Carlson, Jaylon Givan
Season & Tickets Dissonance Dance Theatre hopes you will join us for a world of dance that awaits you as part of our season. DDT is pleased to announce its 2017-2018 season, presenting another exciting line-up of programs. Group sales are encouraged to purchase online where they will see discount in cart balance. Production Ticket Prices: Rewind 2 Fast Forward Ernst Community Theater $15 Students/Seniors $25 General Admission Habibi Dance Place $15 Students $25 Seniors/DP Members $30 General Admission Lenny B: An Evening of L.B. Atlas Performing Arts Center $30 General Admission
The J.I.N. Project Clarice Smith Center for the Performing Arts $15 Students $25 General Admission Tainted Black Painted Bride $15 Students/Seniors $25 General Admission Mahogany Strings Blumenthal Performing Arts Center $20 Students, Seniors $30 General Admission
Purchase tickets in person: Tickets for all performances are available for purchase starting one hour prior to performances. Purchase tickets online Online ticket sales are available for all shows - visit our website www.ddtdc.org 7.
Guest Choreographers 8.
Kareem B. Goodwin (2017 New Voice of Dance Alumnus), a native of Philadelphia, PA, began his dance training at the Point Breeze Performing Arts Center in 1998, under Charon Mapp, Wayne St. David, Anthony Burrell and Faye Snow. Kareem attended The University of the Arts studying Jazz Dance with an emphasis in Choreography. Kareem was awarded the 2011 Choreography prize from the University of the Arts School of Dance for his two works “Lovin’ U In & Out of Time” and “Fragmented Ideas”. Kareem is a NAACP ACT-SO Local and Regional Gold Medalist, as well as a National Finalist. As a performing artist, Kareem has worked with Christopher L. Huggins, Louis Johnson, Ronen Koresh, Gary W. Jeter II, Zane Booker and Arthur Mitchell. Kareem performed with Eleone Connection, the Pre-Professional Company of Eleone Dance Theatre. In 2014, Mr. Goodwin produced and presented his first evening work entitled “MOMENTS”. Kareem has choreographed for local dance companies throughout the Pennsylvania Tri-State Area. Kareem is the Rehearsal Director of Grace Dance Theater 2 and Principal Dancer for Grace Dance Theater. Edward Franklin (2018 New Voice of Dance Selectee) is a former principal/soloist with the world renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Originally from Detroit, he received a full scholarships to train at the Ailey School and the Joffrey Ballet, where he was the recipient of the Donna Woods Award. In addition to the Ailey company, he has danced with Complexions Contemporary Ballet, PhilaDanco, Deeply Rooted Dance Theater, and the Oakland Ballet. Jamie Thompson A native of Belize, Central America, Jamie Thompson is internationally known and respected for his vision, professionalism and commitment to excellence. He spent his formative years on philanthropic endeavors through the arts. A highlight from those experiences was serving as director and choreographer for productions presented by the Rotary Club of Belize (2005-2009). In addition to his volunteerism, he began formal dance training with the Belize National Dance Company and The Dramatic Forces School of Dance. His passion for dance, stirred by the tutelage of the two institutions, led him to a successful pursuit of earning a BFA in Dance Performance and Choreography from Belhaven University in Jackson, MS. After college, his professional dance experience began with the Dallas Black Dance Theatre (2010-2014). Since then, he has performed with the Bruce Wood Dance Project, Contemporary Ballet Dallas, and Collin Country Ballet Theatre. Recently, Jamie, served as the Executive/ Artistic Director for the International Conservatory of Performing Arts in North Texas. Currently, he is the Founder and CEO of LyveARTS International LLC- an international organization that is dedicated to cultivating and sustaining a global arts community.
8.
Guest Choreographers
Maleek Washington (2018 New Voice of Dance Selectee) is a native New Yorker from the Bronx. He began his studies at Harlem School of The Arts, Broadway Dance Center and LaGuardia High School for Performing Arts. He received a full scholarship to continue his education at The Boston Conservatory, and soon after he began dancing professionally. First he danced for CityDance Ensemble (Washington DC), where he worked with Paul Taylor, Kate Weare, and Alex Neoral. He’s performed in over 10 countries worldwide and performed at notorious national locations including The White House, the John F. Kennedy Center and Jacob’s Pillow. Maleek later moved back to New York City to collaborate with McArthur Genius awardee, Kyle Abraham, and his company Abraham.in.Motion (A.I.M.) for four seasons. Presently, Maleek is the first African-American male performing in the immersive show Sleep No More. After signing to CESD talent agency, Maleek has performed for musical sensation Sia on Good Morning America, and for Rhianna for an immersive experience for her AntiDiary Campaign. Since the start of 2017 Maleek has performed for PHISH in front of 20,000 fans for their New Years Gag at Madison square garden. Currently Maleek is excited to join the Francesca Harper Project and Camille A. Brown and Dancers as a collaborator for 2017. In addition, he’s a guest faculty at the Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary program, Broadway Dance Center and Gibney Dance. While being a guest teacher at Peridance, New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts, and CityDance Conservatory (Bethesda, MD). Kjara Starič Wurst is a new Washington, DC-based choreographer and teacher who choreographed for the Slovene National Ballet, National Ballet Conservatory, and her own contemporary ballet company, KDP. She has taught at University of Minnesota, TU Dance, Balletto di Firenze, Slovene National Ballet Conservatory and holds the formal Slovene Ministry of Culture status of “choreographer. Ms. Starič completed her formal training at the Ljubljana Ballet conservatory in 1998. In addition, her experience includes training periods at the Complexions Contemporary Ballet, Peridance, Alvin Ailey. In 1998, she was invited to join the SPP, a contemporary ballet company - under direction of her mentor, choreographer Fred Lasserre, where she danced for two years. In 2000, she was recognized as an Independent Artist by Slovene Ministry of Culture and continued as a freelance dancer in works by numerous acknowledged choreographers, including Jennifer Archibald, Matjaž Farič, Tina Dobaj Eder, Siniša Bukinac, and Nijawwon Mathews. She toured nationally and internationally, dancing at Vienner Festwochen (Austria), Festival d’Avignon (France), Bonner Bienale (Germany), Bologna Festival (Italy), Intercult (Sweden), Marato (Spain), NY Summer stage (USA), La Mente Artistica (Italy) and others.
9.
2017-2018 Dancerss
Allison Eguchi Co-Rehearsal Associate Senior Artist
Phillip Fobbs Co-Rehearsal Associate Artist
Momo Sakai Choreographer Assistant Senior Artist
Emma Button Senior Artist
Christina Motta Senior Artist
Jessica Potts Senior Artist
Daniel Artis Artist
Heather Carlson Artist
Moyston Henry Jr. Artist
Karina Biancone Apprentice
Jaylon Givan Apprentice
Madeline Hobbs Apprentice
10.
Anthony Spivey Apprentice
Samuel St Juste Apprentice
* For dancer and staff bios visit our webiste, www.ddtdc.org
Artistic Leadership/Administrators
Shawn Short, MFA Founder Director Principal Choreographer
Chris Holland, LD/Technical Director
Damon Foster Company Administrator
11.
Ngoma Center for Dance
www.ngcfd.org
Ngoma Center for Dance’s artistic work is done with great care and effectiveness. With our professional dance company Dissonance Dance Theatre’s five-production theatrical season, and our programs built on mentorship and development, Ngoma is impacting lives and achieving stated goals while serving over 1,500 residents annually. Ngoma Center for Dance (N-Go-mah) is a 501(c)3 arts organization whose mission is to provide a conduit between multicultural dance artists and their enthusiasts, across generations and social classes, with a deeper understanding of the art of dance through intense community integration, inspirational performance, competitive training, and artist development. 12.
Summer DanceLab Jun 18th - July 14th, 2018 University of Maryland Dance Department Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center
For curious, athletic & talented contemporary dancers. Classes in contemporary ballet, jazz, acting, conditioning, modern (Horton) & more from world-class faculty at University of Maryland’s Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center dance studios. Auditions start December 2017 - April 2018 13.
YOUR GIFTS MAKES HAPPEN AT WE CELEBRATE EXCELLENCE
WE CELEBRATE COMMUNITY
Ngoma Center for Dance believes in creating quality programs that build community, create jobs and enhance the arts industry of the Washington, D.C. area and beyond.
Ngoma Center for Dance is building community from “East of The River” to across the Potomac, and into welcoming Prince George’s County, MD. Since our inception in 2012, we have impacted the lives of over 4,000 patrons/ students/arts enthusiasts through dance training, workshops, publishing and archiving local stories in our magazine, increasing opportunities for dancers 18 to 26 years old; particularly in Ward 7 DC.
WE TRAIN DANCERS Since Dissonance Dance Theatre’s start in 2007, we have alum dancing in Complexions, Garth Fagan, Virginia Ballet Theatre, Philadanco Dance Company, Adieum Dance, Carolyn Dorfman Dance and Deeply Rooted Dance.
14.
IT ALL NGOMA
THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU
The NGOMA Circle Starting this fall, we are launching our “The Ngoma Circle” (TNC) program. Participants in the TNC will receive discounts on shows and classes, private viewings of new works in studio, and online access to interviews and previews. All the above for $50 a year! For more information, visit our website:
www.ngcfd.org
You Can Inspire MORE! Ways to Give: ONLINE: www.ddtdc.org/donate PHONE (General Inquiry) 202-540-8338 MAIL P.O. Box 2377 Washington, DC 20013 EMAIL info@ddtdc.com FAX
WE ARE GROWING WITH YOUR CONTINUED HELP
(CC Form on homepage)
202-399-0174
With an ambitious upcoming season, an increase in dancers entertaining, more dance programming for the general public and goals for more and more community development projects Ngoma wants to help reach your dance training goals, and enjoy great dance entertainment. 15.
Get Connected Be Informed Stay in the loop and keep up to date with Ngoma/ Dissonance Information.
Follow US Twitter: @dissonancedance @ngomadc Facebook: @DDTNgoma Instagram: @Ngoma_ddtdc
20. 16.
Dancers: Samuel St Juste, Phillip Fobbs, Momo Sakai, Shannon Evans 17.
Board of Directors Corey McDougle MBA, Chair/Interim Tresurer Tyler Lewis, Vice Chair Shawn Short MFA, President Josie Hoover D.D., Secretary Tisa Huff Dissonance Dance Theatre is a Washington, D.C.-based professional dance company founded in 2007 by Shawn Short. Since its inception, Dissonance Dance Theatre has performed for local and national audiences on the east coast and in the midwest states. Starting as a project of dear friends, Dissonance has grown to house artists from across the U.S. and beyond. A contemporary ballet that blends “classic” modern styles such as Horton, Graham, Limon with nuances of classical ballet, Dissonance is becoming known for its theatrical presence and exceptional artistry. Evoking emotional experiences in the audiences we touch, Dissonance’s cutting-edge repertoire features works that are socially and visually appealing to audiences while remaining true to its mission; challenging audience’s assumptions about the human experience through dance.
Ngoma Center for Dance (N-Go-mah) is a 501(c)3 arts organization whose mission is to provide a conduit between multicultural dance artists and their enthusiasts across generations and social classes with a deeper understanding of the art of dance through intense community integration, inspirational performance, competitive training, and artist development.
18.
Funded in part by:
Dissonance Dance Theatre is a program of Ngoma Center for Dance. Ngoma Center for Dance is a registered non-profit of Washington, D.C. The information contained in this brochure is correct at the time of printing. Dissonance Dance Theatre reserves the right to make alterations where necessary without prior notice. Above: 2017-2018 DDT Male Dancer Roster. Photo by Shawn Short.