SBDNY dance artists in rehearsal at NJDTE. by Corey Bliss
Master contemporary choreographer Sidra Bell and her innovative boutique dance theater company Sidra Bell Dance New York are currently in residence at NJDTE for their new work in development, MÖNSTER OUTSIDE, that will premiere in November 2017 at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans.
In MÖNSTER OUTSIDE, choreographer Sidra Bell has joined forces with innovative Swedish artists including composer Per Störby, New Tide Orquesta, and Visual Relief (projection mapping), to develop a flexibly voyeuristic discourse about the nature of outliers in contemporary society. The company is also working on a repertory piece entitled Unidentifiable; Bodies that will be brought back for a new production this April at Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City.
Specifically, Bell said, "we are using our residency at NJDTE to flesh out movement ideas and deepen the research for MÖNSTER OUTSIDE that we developed in another residency in Stockholm this past October."
As part of the residency, Bell also re-staged her work "Legions" (2011) on NJDTE's Level 5 dancers, to be presented at i Balli di Primavera on May 7, 2017. In addition, SBDNY company members are working with Levels 3, 4 & 5 as part of NJDTE's Contemporary Master Class Series. This exchange gives our dancers the invaluable opportunity to study with one of the leading voices in contemporary dance, while providing Bell and her dance artists with a platform to create new work in an intensive, focused setting.
Master contemporary choreographer Sidra Bell and her innovative boutique dance theater company Sidra Bell Dance New York are currently in residence at NJDTE for their new work in development, MÖNSTER OUTSIDE, that will premiere in November 2017 at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans.
In MÖNSTER OUTSIDE, choreographer Sidra Bell has joined forces with innovative Swedish artists including composer Per Störby, New Tide Orquesta, and Visual Relief (projection mapping), to develop a flexibly voyeuristic discourse about the nature of outliers in contemporary society. The company is also working on a repertory piece entitled Unidentifiable; Bodies that will be brought back for a new production this April at Baruch Performing Arts Center in New York City.
Specifically, Bell said, "we are using our residency at NJDTE to flesh out movement ideas and deepen the research for MÖNSTER OUTSIDE that we developed in another residency in Stockholm this past October."
As part of the residency, Bell also re-staged her work "Legions" (2011) on NJDTE's Level 5 dancers, to be presented at i Balli di Primavera on May 7, 2017. In addition, SBDNY company members are working with Levels 3, 4 & 5 as part of NJDTE's Contemporary Master Class Series. This exchange gives our dancers the invaluable opportunity to study with one of the leading voices in contemporary dance, while providing Bell and her dance artists with a platform to create new work in an intensive, focused setting.
It's been an amazing week to share and bond with each other in NJDTE's beautiful, serene studios. Leaving the hustle and bustle of New York City has cultivated great ease and playfulness in this week of research. The community at NJDTE is incredibly warm and the space itself is comfortable and welcoming. It is spacious, quiet, and beautifully equipped to host contemporary artists invested in research. Thank you to Nancy Turano and her wonderful, generous team. - Sidra Bell
Check out the videos below for a behind-the-scenes look at SBDNY's creative process:
SBDNY dance artists with NJDTE Artistic Director Nancy Turano. SBDNY has several residencies and tours planned for the 2016-2017 season, including SITE Sweden (Stockholm), New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble, CUNY Dance Initiative with Lehman College, Pearl Diving Residency with PearlArts (Pittsburgh), and Vara Concert Hall (Sweden). The company's annual New York City home season will be held in April 2017.
MÖNSTER OUTSIDE is made possible through the support of NJDTE's AiR® Residency Program, three current and alumni NJDTE families (the Mallaneys, Crawfords & Clark-Schoebs), Musikverket of Sweden, and lead support from the National Dance Project Production Award from New England Foundation for the Arts.
MÖNSTER OUTSIDE is made possible through the support of NJDTE's AiR® Residency Program, three current and alumni NJDTE families (the Mallaneys, Crawfords & Clark-Schoebs), Musikverket of Sweden, and lead support from the National Dance Project Production Award from New England Foundation for the Arts.
