Dissonance Dance Theatre's Gifted & Black Presenter's Packet

Dissonance Dance Theatre Gifted & Black Production Packet

For Bookings Contact: Shawn Short Founder/Producing Artistic Director Principal Choreographer sshort@ngcfddt.org Tel: (202) 540-8338 www.ngcfddt.org Mailing Address: P.O. Box 2377 Washington, DC 20013

“One of the 11 small-but-mighty dance companies outside of LA and NYC” - Dance Spirit Magazine

Dancers: Jessica Potts, Anthony Spivey

“Incredibly connected emotional/physical

choreography with stunning and engaging performers” Artists’ Bloc

“Ambitious and Evoking” Washington Post

LOV E

“It is love. It is the all too human.”

Washington Times Communities

“...varied and entertaining” CriticalDance

“The company’s multi-racial makeup, youthful exuberance, and high quality professionalism, gives it a solid place as something to be proud of within the District dance scene.”

DC Journalism Project

You name it, his dancers did it: Ballet!

Hip-hop! Traditional African! Modern solos!

There was no telling what was coming onstage each time the lights came up, but by golly, the dancers Short has working for him are good.”

Washington Post

Key Artistic Staff Pg 3 Presenter Testimonials Pg 7 DDT Repertoire Pg 8 Gifted & Black Show Details Pg 9 World Premieres Pg 10

Table of Contents

About the Company Pg 1

Program Information Pg 13 Outreach & Workshops Pg 14 Contacts & Access Pg 16

Dancers: Christine Motta, Phillip Fobbs

Suggested Program Pairings Pg 11

Timeless Dance.

Remixed.

About The Company Dissonance Dance Theatre (DDT), Washington, D.C. area’s only nationally-recognized contemporary ballet, develops and presents creative dance-innovation that enlightens, educates, and entertains; telling a wide-range of stories centered around people, events and the human condition.

DDT is the professional company of Ngoma Center for Dance.

Dissonance Dance Theatre is a Washington, DC-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 mid-west states.

Starting as a project of dear friends, Dissonance has grown to house artists from across the US 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.

“One of the 11 small-but-mighty dance companies outside of LA and NYC” - Dance Spirit Magazine Pg 1

Men of DDT in pose

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Key Artistic Staff Shawn Short, MFA

Founding Producing Artistic Director Short has studied with nationally and internationally acclaimed artists including faculty and dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Lines Ballet, Washington Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dance Institute of Washington, Dance Alloy, Philadanco, Towson University, Baltimore and Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts. As a student of ballet pedagogy, Shawn studied with John White, Margarita De Saa and the Washington School of Ballet Director Kee Juan Han. His performance credits include work with K2 Dance, Adrian Bolton Dance, El Teatro de Danza Contemporanea El Salvador, and Bolton/ Smith. He has also served as a guest artist with Dance Alloy in Pennsylvania. Mr. Short is a Founding Faculty member of the Washington Ballet@THEARC school.

Leadership In addition to his role as Founding Producing Artistic Director in 2007, Shawn is the Founder and Director of Ngoma Center for Dance (Ngoma).

For Black Enterprise (BE)”Modern Man 100 List of Extraordinary Men” awardee (2016) Shawn Short, Ngoma is central to the life and development of Dissonance Dance Theatre. Just as he expects the finest dancing and most meticulous attention to detail from his dancers, he demands the highest standards for training at Ngoma.

Under Mr. Short, Dissonance has evolved from a project-based entity into an exciting dance entertainment venture in the Washington, D.C. area.

As a choreographer, teacher, and coach, Short has fostered a love of the classical and contemporary ballet lexicon that has become the bedrock of the Company’s training. The dancers are energized and inspired by this rigorous training and continue to rise to new heights with each passing year. Through Ngoma’s programs, dance artists have grace stages locally, nationally and internationally. Furthermore, many students have gained scholarships in NYC institutions, acceptance into college/ university dance programs.

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Artistic Achievements Shawn is a Pointe Magazine’s Video of the Month Editors’ Choice award recipient for his contemporary ballet work, Caught in 2013. A 2014 Princess Grace Award (NYC) in Choreography nominee, Shawn holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Theatre Management from Howard University and an MFA in Dance at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee with a focus on dance history, arts administration and somatic. He holds a PGC in Business Management from the University of Liverpool.

Choreography Mr. Short is the Principal Choreographer of DDT. Shawn was the only fiscally-sponsored artist through the New York Foundation for the Arts from 2009-2013. In 2017, Shawn produced his 100th work for Dissonance Dance Theatre. Shawn has choreographed for The Dance Institute of Washington, The Washington Ballet School of Ballet @THEARC. His work has been presented at the Capital Fringe Festival, Greater Washington Urban League National Conference, Southeastern University, Artists’ Bloc 12X6 Series, Harke Theatre, Jack Guidone Theatre Space, Atlas Performing Arts Center, THEARC Theatre, Joe’s Movement Emporium, DC Parks and Recreation, Sidney Harman Hall, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, PBS Broadcasting, VelocityDC, and Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Alliance for New Music-Theatre and Fox 5 television.

He has been commissioned by Catholic University of America’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music to choreograph Mother’s Blood (2008), VF Dance Theater for their Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts to choreograph Genotype Called Love for their Terrace Theatre production of Futurology (2012).

Short in Company Class

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Chris Holland,MFA

Technical Director House Lighting Designer Chris Holland as been working with DDT since 2010, lighting 110 of its 115 works.

Other companies he has designed for include The Clarice at the University of Maryland, Intersections Festival at Atlas Performing Arts Center, DC Source Festival, Doorway Arts Ensemble, Pinkyswear Productions, Moveius Contemporary Ballet, Taurus Broadhurst Dance, and assisted for the Houston Ballet.

Chris is also a resident artist for Landless Theatre in Frederick, and is a Production Manager for Charm City Fringe. He earned his MFA from Purdue University, and his BFA from the University of Kentucky. Upcoming projects include shows with Maryland Ensemble Theatre in Frederick.

DDT in Jamie Thompson’s Journey

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DDT in Short’s Beauty Only Knocks Once

DDT in Kjara Staric Wurst’s Be Human

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Presenter Testimonials “It was a great pleasure working with Dissonance Dance Theatre.

Professional in their work ethic, they provided two wonderful dance presentations during our presenter showcase during APAP week!”

Jodi Kaplan & Associates Booking Dance Festival (NYC)

“Dissonance Dance Theatre has been a mainstay in our INTERSECTIONS Festival for the past nine years. Our festival audiences have grown due to their stellar programming and self-marketing efforts. Always a pleasure.”

Doug Yeuell, Executive Director Atlas Performing Arts Center

“As a relatively new performing arts center, we are constantly learning. Dissonance Dance Theatre is one of our first dance engagements and we are happy we made the choice to bring them to the University of Maryland Baltimore County.”

Brad Ranno, Operations and Event Coordinator UMBC Performing Arts & Humanities

“We were so excited to have DDT join us in our second ever Charm City Fringe Festival. They were the only dance company performance that year, and they held their own providing great entertainment for our budding organization.“ Zachary Michael, Co-Founder Charm City Fringe Inc.

“Always a pleasure working with Dissonance Dance Theatre, they were pleasant and professional - what more could you ask for.”

Lorna Cooke, Event Coordinator

Richard J. Ernst Community Culture Center

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Past Presenting Venues: Greater Washington D.C. Area Atlas Performing Arts - Washington, DC Bohemian Caverns - Washington, DC Capital Fringe Festival - Washington, DC Dance Place - Washington, DC Greenburg Theater - Washington, DC Howard University Alumni Ball - Washington, DC Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts - Washington, DC Shakespeare Theater/Velocity Festival - Washington, DC United States Conference on Aids - Washington, DC Wolly Mammoth Theater - Washington, DC Ernst Theater - Annandale, VA Charm City Fringe Festival - Baltimore, MD Horowitz Visual & Performing Arts Center - Columbia, MD Proscenium Theater (UMBC) Catonsville, MD The Clarice (UMD, College Park) - College Park, MD New York City, NY Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) - New York City, NY Jazz @ Lincoln Center - New York City, NY

Repertoire Dissonance Dance Theatre has over 115 works in its repertoire ranging from classical/contemporary ballet to folkloric to theatre dance and more. We focus on innovation, constantly creating new works and reprising works of merit.

Many of our works can be itemized to create evenings of many different themes. In addition, the company presents longer works that stand as sole presentations.

For video excerpts and additional repertoire details, visit our website at, www.ngcfddt.org/repertoire/

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Gifted & Black With time, comes new voices and ideas. Gifted & Black celebrates the choreographic works of local and national African-American choreographers of today. From dances that give homage to Black ancestry, to dances that testify the strife and vitality of today’s ever-changing world, Gifted & Black features the work of Shawn Rawls (Pilabolus/NYC), Michelle Sloan (Dance Theatre of Harlem), Jamie Thompson (Dallas Black Dance Theatre), and DDT’s Principal Choreographer Shawn Short (Washington Ballet/El Teatro de Danza Contemporanea El Salvador).

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Gifted & Black Show Duration: 75 Minutes (Time provided for pauses and curtain speeches) # of Dancers: 14 Music: Various Artists

World Premieres Paparazzi Choreography by Shawn Short Motivated by the “in your face” mentality of paparazzi photographers to the stars, Paparazzi is inspired by the “in the moment” feelings presented when one is confronted by another human being. A quirky and sassy play on contemporary ballet, Paparazzi blends the sense of freedom while feeling on the watch of another. Music by Brandt Brauer.

Sharon Jones Project (Excerpt) Choreography by Shawn Short A revivalist movement that aims to capture the essence of funk and soul music, the Sharon Jones Project embodies the vibrancy and “boogie-down” good time encapsulated by artists of the mid-1960’s to the mid-1970s. As jazz music is the marriage of classical music and the African-American experience, the Sharon Jones Project (SJP) explores the connectivity of Black-inspired social dance vernacular with contemporary dance.

Examining the context of human interaction through nonverbal and social expression, SJP demonstrates what happens when “the groove” meets human emotion, diverse dancers, and choreography that’s lit up like the “electric boogaloo”.

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Show Pairings Depending on your presenting needs, DDT can expand or reduce show programming. The below represents several tentative possibilities.

One-Night Only Engagement 1. Journey, Jamie Thompson - 7 mins 2. *Untitled, Shawn Rawls - 5 mins 3. Woman, Michelle Sloan - 5 mins 4. Walk With Me, Shawn Short 5. *Paparazzi, Shawn Short -8 mins 10 Minute Intermission 6. Unsettled, Kameron N. Saunders - 5 mins 7. Bedtime Stories, Torens Johnson - 5 mins 8. *SJP Mvmt I - 5 mins 5 Pause 9. Silo, Shawn Short - 7 mins Two-Show Engagement S. Short Favorites 1. Silo, Shawn Short - 7 mins 2. Walk With Me, Shawn Short - 5 mins 3. Time Equals No Man - 12 mins Intermission - 10 mins 4. Micci, Shawn Short - 5 mins 5. Bleak, Shawn Short - 5 mins 6. Gospel Suite, Shawn Short - 12 mins Black Voices 1. Journey, Jamie Thompson - 7 mins 2. *Untitled, Shawn Rawls - 5 mins 3. Woman, Michelle Sloan - 5 mins 4. Walk With Me, Shawn Short 5. *Paparazzi, Shawn Short -8 mins 10 Minute Intermission 6. Unsettled, Kameron N. Saunders - 5 mins 7. Bedtime Stories, Torens Johnson - 5 mins 8. *SJP Mvmt I - 5 mins 5 Pause 9. Gospel Suite, Shawn Short - 12 mins

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For dance piece details, visit www.ngcfddt.org/repertoire.

Three-Show Engagement S. Short Favorites I 1. Silo, Shawn Short - 7 mins 2. Walk With Me, Shawn Short - 5 mins 3. Time Equals No Man - 12 mins Intermission - 10 mins 4. Micci, Shawn Short - 5 mins 5. Bleak, Shawn Short - 5 mins 6. Gospel Suite, Shawn Short - 12 mins S. Short Favorite II 1. Love is My Game. Shawn Short - 7 mins 2. Dream, Shawn Short - 5 mins 3. Bach No.3 In G, Shawn Short - 4 mins 4. Amazon, Shawn Short - 4 mins Intermission - 10 mins 5. Key In Ebony, Shawn Short - 10 mins 6. Beauty Only Knocks, Shawn Short - 7 Mins 7. Gospel Suite, Shawn Short - 12 mins Black Voices 1. Journey, Jamie Thompson - 7 mins 2. *Untitled, Shawn Rawls - 5 mins 3. Woman, Michelle Sloan - 5 mins 4. Walk With Me, Shawn Short 5. *Paparazzi, Shawn Short -8 mins 10 Minute Intermission 6. Unsettled, Kameron N. Saunders - 5 mins 7. Bedtime Stories, Torens Johnson - 5 mins 8. *SJP Mvmt I - 5 mins 5 Pause 9. Gospel Suite, Shawn Short - 12 mins

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Program Information Booking Dissonance Dance Theatre Contact Shawn Short, sshort@ngcfddt.org A diverse and athletic company of dancers with a unique repertoire of works by distinguished and diverse choreographers, Dissonance Dance Theatre presents dynamic programming that promotes contemporary ballet through an exciting entertaining lens. The company’s repertoire includes works for up to 15 dancers and features a wide range of musical selections ranging from Bach to Earth, Wind and Fire.

Full evening-length performances and abbreviated performances can be designed for audiences of all ages and backgrounds. * Even wood floor, preferably sprung (must not be concrete floor) * Marley dance flooring covering entire dance surface * Minimum stage dimensions 40 ft. wide by 32 ft. deep * House sound system with sufficient amplification and speaker

coverage of entire auditorium, as well as a minimum of two stage monitors with independent control. * Computer for audio playback (Mac running QLab is highly preferred) or CD player, appropriately patched into house system. * Boombox or portable speaker with aux cable and adequate volume for company classes. * Minimum 6-8 hour tech time (not including set up of lighting and floor).

For specific performance requirements Contact Chris Holland, Technical Director at 859-221-1838 or at cholland@ngcfddt.org.

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Outreach/Workshops Dissonance Dance Theatre is very flexible company. We are able to work with institutions of varying student levels and financial restrictions.

Dissonance Dance Theatre will be able to create a unique residency experience customized to your school’s population either through the activities mentioned below or through our many add-on activities such as lecture/demonstrations, and open rehearsals.

Master Classes INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED BALLET TRAINING

Master Classes offer students the opportunity to learn classical ballet technique while exploring contemporary expression led by motivating teachers from Dissonance Dance Theatre’s artistic staff in a traditional ballet class environment.

Dissonance Dance Theatre Repertoire Workshops INTERMEDIATE THROUGH ADVANCED BALLET TRAINING

Led by the DDT dancers and artistic staff, participants are led through a classical ballet warm-up before learning signature DDT repertoire, where the students are Exposed to the company’s methodology as well as the nuances and inflections of each choreographer’s voice.

Choreographic Workshops (Great for College Programs) BEGINNER THROUGH ADVANCED BALLET TRAINING Uniquely tailored to the age and training level of each group, these workshops invite dancers to discover and develop their own artistic identities through fun and innovative exercises designed to inspire creativity in a supportive environment. This is great as a dance composition course supplement.

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Dancer: Heather Carlson

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Contacts And Access Booking: Shawn Short, MFA Phone: 202-540-8338 Email: sshort@ngcfddt.org

Technical / Productions Matters Chris Holland, MFA Phone: 859-221-1838 Email: cholland@ngcfddt.org

View Repertory and Videos at: www.ngcfddt.org/repertoire

Social Media - Check us out!

Facebook - www.facebook.com/DDTNgoma/ Instagram - www.instagram.com/ngoma_ddtdc Vimeo - www. vimeo.com/user5861050 Youtube - www.youtube.com/user/Dissonancedancedc Twitter - www.twitter.com/dissonancedance

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Dancer: Christine Motta