Bouand DanceCompany Blog

Fall and Bouand

2009-09-28T23:10:00.000-07:00

Our website is down, but should be up again shortly. New Board members David Smith and Walter Kennedy are already a tremendous and potent force for the company, we are humbled by their presence, time and energy.
BDC needs some dancers! If you want to work with us, come to Artistic Director Alexandrous Ballard's open classes at the Portland Ballet, wednesday at 10am and sunday at 10am.
We have Young Audience shows and are beginning rehearsals after the Nutcracker season for our March performances here in Portland.

More soon....

August for Bouand DanceCompany

2009-07-04T21:21:00.000-07:00

Greetings.

While we wait and anticipate the OPB Broadcast of our June performances of “SideShow”, we are now turning our attention to the future. We are currently undergoing a Board rotation as some members step down and new ones step up and on. We are also utilizing the time to organize our office, upgrade our software and build new repertory.

Our new Board members are David Smith, and Walter Kennedy. David works for KATU channel 2, and Walter Kennedy is Assistant Professor of Dance at University of Oregon. Stepping off the Board is Bruce Powers, who has been an incredible asset and responsible for so much of our success. Bruce will remain a friend and advisor of the company, but will be concentrating his attention on his own new business. Board members Nell Walkley, Gail Neuberg and Alexandrous Ballard will remain.

Walter Kennedy was in Portland during June and set a short work on the Company dancers. Dancer Megan Smith is moving away from Portland and new company apprentice Emily Bartha will step into some of her roles. We have a great need for another male dancer, and will be looking at bringing someone in from outside Portland for performances, possibly from France. We’ll keep you posted.

Negotiations are underway with 3 new choreographers from Europe and Canada for 2010 and beyond. The Company will be exploring the European connection more vigorously, and is looking to be resident at PSU Lincoln Hall in the Fall and Spring of 2010/2011. Until these dates, we are planning a number of free studio viewing events, and possible short performances this Fall and Winter. Keep checking the webpage for updates.

The Company begins its Young Audience shows this fall as a “new artist in-schools”. This is very exciting and will bring a taste of Bouand DanceCompany to young people across 5 counties. We are also participating in the Right Brain Initiative (go to: http://www.therightbraininitiative.org/ for more information). We will also be performing at the Fall.Art.Live festival at Oregon Ballet Theater’s studios this month, check their website for times.

While many Arts organizations both large and small are suffering in this economy, we are still managing to hold steady, mostly by limiting our overhead and concentrating our funding efforts on specific programs with rigorous budgets. As we grow however, we find ourselves in need of a small amount of capital just to keep the phones on, computers connected and small bills paid. A small donation to keep us operating smoothly would be very welcome, and will allow us to work on our next big thing; not glamorous we know, but essential nonetheless.

Thanks!
Bouand DanceCompany

1 month away!

2009-05-08T12:09:00.001-07:00

Well, getting dancers to blog is like herding cats, so i'll just blog myself.
The preparations are growing in number, expense and dimension as we get closer, I have some wonderful help from Renee, Leslie, David, Kevin, Cait and Bruce and although we're feeling the pinch from so little rehearsal time, things are generally going well.

Having to drive down to Eugene twice a week is a problem for time management and scheduling, but not insurmountable.

I started a Tumblr blog with pictures about the OPB Project (http://opbproject.tumblr.com/) and will be updating that frequently this month. Mary has the costumes to adjustments, Peter is working on a new piece of fabric for the backdrop and in general everything is progressing.

I still have hair left!!

2 months and counting down

2009-04-03T23:36:00.000-07:00

Haven't blogged in a while...It's been a real roller coaster ride the last few weeks. Wasn't sure the Project was happening, lining everything up with hope, but nothing concrete, then at the last minute 2 people steped in with real help.

People are stepping up to the plate for the OPB Project, and it's a great feeling. I started my teaching at UofO this week, lost my wallet for 3 days and started writing big checks for various parts of the Project. Renee and I did a film/interview thing for Paul Ramsey, I'm sure I look like Quasimodo with no sleep. I've asked Melissa to ballet mistress "Within..." which she's doing with characteristic ease and skill.

Our new boy, Andrew knows most of "Curse" now, and is already taking it in and to another level...great to see. Edgar is back!! Saucy as ever, but back in there and dancing away. Scott even smiled a little in rehearsal.

Peter's on Board, we've lost our lighting designer, Megan is readjusting to life as a full company member, Cait's kickin' butt and happy, Renee also. Things are good again.

Now if I can just get a little sleep....

Renee's Blog:

2009-03-02T16:52:00.000-08:00

Work. It’s a funny thing that we do to ourselves every day. Drag our tired bodies out of a deliciously comfortable bed. Trick our mind into alertness with quick showers and bitter coffee, and trudge, endlessly trudge to work.

My father owns his own business. Red-Worm Landscaping. He installs irrigation systems, mows large fields, designs gardens and yards for Yakima (Washington) residents, and sells rich compost and fertile worms to gardeners and 6th grade science teachers alike. To say the least…hard work.

I learned the meaning of ‘work’ from him. Waking early, working hard, returning late, sleeping well. I watched my father throughout my childhood do back breaking work from sun up to sun down. Until my last years at home, that work was the only thing keeping food on our table.

As I begin to grow into an adult I heard my mother describe him in a simple, yet truly profound, way: “Your father is doing what he always wanted to do. We both are. Ever since he was a boy, all your dad wanted to do was drive trucks and play in the dirt.”

Wow. Even though his body aches and some days it seems like he is too exhausted to continue, my dad loves dirt, working with machinery, and building things; and he has shaped his life to reflect that component of his being. It was truly a life changing realization that my simple parents from a small-minded community, have made choices that have lead them to their own life, not one that they feel they must participate in, but rather one they feel compelled and happy to participate in.

Work is a funny thing. But being able to appreciate how work can be an expression of myself and a reoccurring event of thrilling joy is a tribute to the intelligent, graceful, loving, and complete people that my parents are.

(Renee Adams is a Dancer with the Bouand DanceCompany, and acts as an executive assistant for the Director.
You can learn more about Renee in these places:

http://www.teachstreet.com/teacher/renee-adams

www.bouanddancecompany.org

www.bodyvox.com

It's On!! BDC on OPB

2009-02-19T14:26:00.000-08:00

Hello past and present supporters.

We’re going to be filmed for Oregon Public Broadcasting!

This will be a 1 hour documentary-style program, filmed in high-definition by Paul Ramsey of RAMMedia and broadcast on OPB late this year.

This is a wonderful opportunity for us and we will be highlighting our supporters and donors in the broadcast credits, and in all of our advertising.

We’ve raised about 60% of the funds needed to realize this project, so now is the time to come to you all and ask for your support for 2009. We understand these are hard times to give money, but we have to get this filmed now or lose the opportunity.

We’re asking you to step forward and give what you gave last year, perhaps a bit more, or to join in our “Grassroots funding drive” by giving $25.00

We’ll have buttons to give you that when worn will qualify you for discounts at a number of small businesses and restaurants around town. We’ll also have cool black T-shirts with the logo for people who can give more, and for everyone who supports us; their name on the OPB broadcast!!

We’ve scheduled a number of open rehearsals but be warned, if you come and watch you might be filmed for TV, so come looking good!

We are trying to mobilize our community around this “OPB Project”, since it’s a unique opportunity that will not be repeated any time soon.

Please help!

You can donate by sending money directly to the company at:

Bouand DanceCompany
7327 SW Barnes Rd
Portland, OR 9722

Or by going to the website (www.bouanddancecompany.org) and clicking the “Donate by PayPal” button.

2009-02-10T22:32:00.000-08:00

OPB Project

2009-01-30T16:12:00.000-08:00

Why would I help? What can I do to help? Why is this important?

Typically the Arts suffer quickly and immediately in an economic slowdown, regardless of the initial reasons for the slowdown. This reflects a feeling that the Arts are an easily dispensible part of our society, a cultural phenomenon not worthy of serious thought in difficult times. Certainly food, shelter and security take precedence but for 95% of us, while perhaps suffering a temporary downgrade, these are not seriously at risk.

These kind of times make the Arts communities push to become more efficient, more competitive and practice financial caution. These are all good things, since undisciplined spending and the substitution of artistic prerogative over fiscal responsibility has sunk many an organization.

I urge you all to think seriously about whether you can spare a little to support your favorite Arts organization. When we all come out of these times, and we WILL come out, you will be glad to know that you helped your preferred Theater Company, Dance Company, Orchestra, Gallery or Educational institution survive to continue to work towards entertaining and challenging you in the future.

Bouand DanceCompany is slated for broadcast on Oregon Public Broadcasting, an honor and a privilege we are trying to bring to a larger slice of the Arts community here in Portland than just BDC. We need your help! To cover the costs of producing the performances, pay the dancers, musicians and designers, advertise and cover the costs of filming and editing.

To potential major sponsors we can offer acknowledgments during the OPB Broadcast and in all media, articles, events and programs associated with the program. As BDC is happily debt free, you can be assured that your contributions will go directly to fund the event.

We think this opportunity is a unique way to differentiate your charitable giving this year, and a terrific way to show your commitment to supporting Portland's vibrant Arts community in these difficult times.

Sincerely

Alexandrous Ballard

Christmas Eve

2008-12-24T12:28:00.000-08:00

Well it's been a while since i've blogged, but with Portland's anomalous snow and ice there is time to catch up with lots of dropped projects. My teaching at University of Oregon went very well, and it was a great pleasure to teach in an academic environment. I am looking forward to finishing my work "Girl II" there and teaching again for the Spring term. Renee has been working tirelessly on our Young Audiences project, but with the last 10 days of weather and now Christmas, we have had some trouble getting to rehearse. Hopefully this state of "Portland Paralyzation" will be done with by the time everyone gets back into town.

The OPB project is moving slowly forward also, with some help from within the television sales community and with the work on the new brochure finished, we may be able to move forward aggressively after the new year.

I'm looking forward to the new year for many reasons, first among them the opportunity for the Company to perform again, the OPB Project, some new Board members, the Young Audiences show, some performance and/or residency possibilities and I am hoping to take BDC to one of the presenters festivals in the summer.

I rarely add pictures to this Blog, but some end of the year pictures are in order so here they are...

Fall and Bouand DanceCompany

2008-10-20T13:31:00.000-07:00

Well, between my new appointment as adjunct faculty at University of Oregon teaching in the dance department, my work on Vancouver Dance Theater's community Nutcracker and creating a new work on the company ("GIRL") it has been an exhausting Fall.
With the economy and giving community in the grips of an extreme "loss of confidence", it has been difficult to raise money, although this will pass as it always has and does.
Those of you who visit the website or are signed up for the company newsletter know that we will be doing an open rehearsal format event on November 2nd. Several new and exciting developments there, Guest Jonathan Krebs is dancing Kaelen OShea's part in Davy Brun's "Curse", Scott Trumbo and Melissa will reprise their short but elegant pas from "Momentary Glimpse" and the first section of "GIRL" is finished and will be performed also.

Of all of the known and expected frustrations and challenges of running a company, I have been surprised by the intensity of one in particular. I would give almost anything to be able to support the individual and group development of these extraordinary dancers. With a small but consistent budget I could give Megan performing experience, allow Scott to move closer to town, keep Angela in town dancing with us, keep Edgar dancing without having to worry about money, have Keely in class, prove beyond a shadow of a doubt to Tracy what a powerhouse performer she is...

Each of the dancers has their own challenges to face outside of the studio, but in rehearsals and performances they band together to make a uniquely comfortable family of people in a way that is enviable and extraordinary. The loss of Angela Napier to Idaho Ballet was and is felt throughout the organization but she remains present though FaceBook and visits. As a dancer myself in the classical world I often felt disposable, as if the company could always get someone else and that my personal stamp on the roles that I danced was disposable, a nice but unnnecessary side effect.
I can't imagine this attitude now as a Director. These are unique people who bring something so personal and unique to their efforts that to do without them would be unthinkable.

Some good news!
Renee Adams is developing out first Young Audiences program. We will audition it in January and if accepted, can look forward to performing in schools in the Fall of 2009. This will serve to familiarize the company to the larger community in Portland and will provide some extra income for the dancers.
Recently Bouand DanceCompany has received quite a few inquiries into auditions, or membership in the company from as far away as Israel and Spain! The wonders of YouTube and the Internet.
Choreographers Caetanyo Soto, Immanuel Gat, Lucy Guerin, Bebe Miller, Erica Trivett and Davy Brun are all available or eager to choreograph for us in the new year, a roster of talent that is extraordinary for such a young company as ours!! Watch the website for announcements for 2009-2010.

As always, please feel free to contact me if you have ideas, support, comments and questions about Bouand DanceCompany.

Ardent, eloquent and intelligent dance---are you watching?

Into summer with some challenges

2008-07-15T11:04:00.000-07:00

Summer is here and many of the dancers and Board are away on vacations, teaching courses or visiting family. I myself am teaching a great deal (35 young people in 1 room...) and trying to find a way to support my Board's fund-raising efforts more comprehensively.
As there is no degree in "Artistic Directoring" I, like many am learning on the job. The first season was "is this even possible?, let's see if I'll enjoy it"
The second season was: "let's get as much out on stage as we can, solidify the dancers and the company, and prove to the audience and Board that we have a great product"
The third season just past: "marketing, PR decisions and beginning to get the Brand out there in the community"
This next season/year will be about the funding and hopefully convincing past supporters, new supporters,and some larger organizations that we are viable and attractive to support.

Of course while in some areas Oregon had record amounts given to non-profits, it was mostly to well established organizations. Getting recognized is a slow process, as it should be, but with the responsibility I have taken on for the dancers, staff and Board, this slow process can be very frustrating.
I've put a great deal of thought into the "product", making sure we don't cross over other dance organizations specialties, acting as an advocate for dance in general instead of simply BDC, trying to organize our performances around the more established companies performances...good business decisions, but also, in my belief, responsible ones.
Nobody benefits by putting themselves in direct competition for audiences or support.

Like any newish organizations we could use a great deal of help in development, management and fund-raising, but the youth of the company and the difficulty of running a non-profit Arts organization tend to keep people away.
However it is rare to be present in a time and a place, with a clearly excellent product, all at the same time and in this I believe we are fabulously lucky. If anyone wants to be able to say: I was there in the beginning"...support us now and help us build.

BDC does not aspire to be a large company, or a major consumer of Arts funding, but instead, a small, dynamic and tightly-run organization that tours, presents others, commissions new works and with new artists, provides a place for our dancers to perform and in all ways make Portland and our supporters proud to be a part. We strive to be the dance company that works, in a business sense as well as an artistic and organizational one. No decisions based on individual ego's, supposedly superior artistic credibility or because of some combination of whim and power and most especially, no "artistic" decisions that sink the organization into unmanageable debt! By putting the companies health and viability first, giving back to our supporters, dancers, staff and the dance community, we hope to share in the "rising tide that floats all boats"

Now you know...

The Performances

2008-06-30T22:19:00.000-07:00

Well, the performances are past and were extraordinary in many ways. While we didn't have big audiences, we had enthusiastic ones!
Cait injured her hamstring during dress and had to adjust the choreography a little. Her beauty and movement quality came through anyway, and her adjustments to her solo in "Hollow Light" made it even more powerful.
Edgar and Scott powered through the shows in their unique ways without a waver, dancing beautifully for each show, tired or not.
Each of the dancers had moments of extraordinary beauty and ability and it was intensely pleasurable to watch them navigate through the weekend and produce at such a high level.
Thank you all...

We received a very nice and thoughtful review, which of course will help us immensely in "spreading the word" but was also a welcome finale to the weekends endeavors. Thank you Marty.

So, the dancers are all off on long awaited vacations, or going back to the routines of their lives and I will desperately miss them and our rehearsals...but Fall is coming, and soon we will all gather again in a room and start all over again...

First full runthrough

2008-06-21T20:40:00.001-07:00

I'm an idiot...I teared up.

going to be a good show

Cheerleading

2008-06-20T00:43:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm going to do a bit of cheerleading here now, so if that's not your cup of tea, please do not continue reading.

really!, you've been warned!

OK then...

I've had the pleasure of watching the dancers work with both Jason and Deanna, and I must confess to some pride in such an accomplished and profoundly individual group.
While I know and love each of them, it is a real pleasure to watch them work with someone else, since when I am choreographing myself I am appreciative, but somewhat distracted.

I loved Jason Ohlberg's energy and drive, but I loved the omnivorousness of Keeley (sick as a dog as she learned it), Renee and Edgar more.
I'm loving Deanna's skill and charm, her quicksilver thinking and experience as a choreographer, but I admit to being astounded and proud to watch the dancers take her in stride with great cheer, gentle wit and immediately adapt to her style and requirements...How lucky this company is to have such artists and people.

Remember this is a group with full lives outside of the rehearsal room, Melissa has a baby girl and supports her family with her teaching, Tracy, Renee and Keeley work full time, Scott is both a Union "techie" and works for a moving company, lifting pianos!!. None of these people have the advantage of a full time contract, none has the luxury of thinking only of the requirements of the rehearsal or the performance...yet.
I would measure these dancers against any company, anywhere without hesitation. We may not be American Ballet Theater but we can MOVE!

I have pushed and pushed for a professional, calm, focused, cheerful and humorous rehearsal process, believing that this would reflect directly onto the stage, and I have received my wish...lucky dancers, lucky choreographers, lucky me.

Come see us...lucky you.

Must.remain.calm

2008-06-15T16:54:00.000-07:00

Here we are in the final weeks of preparation. Deanna's work is coming along nicely. She's a pro, so I don't have any doubt I'll have a good piece by the end of next week. "Hollow Light" is finished, and now can be polished up...the double duet for Cait/Scott, Tracy/Edgar is pretty gnarly since the partnering is difficult and the size matchups are so different. I'll fix it on tuesday or wednesday for sure.
Beautiful weather these last two days makes me hopeful. If our performance weekend was the first good weather Portland got, most people would run for the beach/hills/backyard and we couldn't entice them inside. If they've gotten some good weekends in before the 27th/28th maybe they won't mind being inside for 1 and 1/2 hours on a friday/saturday.
"momentary glimpse" is finished also, but it's the most classical of the works on the program and as such needs the most polish to look good. Scott and Melissa work beautifully together and each of the solo's is coming along well also. The fast "happy" group section is still a bit rocky...light and fun is VERY difficult to do.
All told it's an incredibly varied and intensely physical program. The dancers are going to be very tired once this is all over.
We are hoping to get a few people in on friday night for a "meet the choreographers" talk. Deanna, Jason and I will all be here so the public can pick our collective brains about what we are doing. Also we will be asking people to stay after the last show to talk to me and the dancers...I admired Ohad Naharin and WhiteBird's doing this and wanted to emulate them. I liked being able to speak directly with the director and enjoyed asking and listening to others questions. The more we/I can build a relationship with the audiences, the better.
We need some new supporters/funders. I will be asking my Board and primary funders to think about someone new to bring in. Simply put, I absolutely must find a way to pay the dancers for longer periods of time, and must find a way to pay someone to help us develop/manage the company.

Well, I'm going back in to watch Deanna make new stuff with the tired, sore, stressed but happy dancers!

"Hollow Light" rehearsal video

2008-06-12T20:24:00.000-07:00

Video of Scott and Renee rehearsing a new duet!!

Deanna has arrived!

2008-06-10T11:13:00.000-07:00

Choreographer Deanna Carter has arrived and is ready to go. The dancers will all be there at 2pm today and hopefully we will have a new work in approximately 2 weeks.
Waiting until the week before we open to learn/rehearse a new piece is a wee bit stressful, but part of the adventure of a repertory company. Deanna is a pro and has choreographed for many years, so I'm sure it will be good.

Typical for Portland, tickets are moving slowly so far, but it's a busy time of the year for everyone with school getting out and summer plans starting. I'm assuming that as we get closer people will start to reserve tickets.
I'm busy building the program, getting things printed, finished my own 2 works for the program, and trying to keep it all moving to opening night. My Board has taken over the volunteer/usher organization, the opening night reception and several other details, what a relief for me!
We are now a member of DanceUSA, which will provide many benefits in the next few years. Everyone there has been very helpful. About 3 years ago I attended a "Leadership for Artistic Directors" seminar at the DanceUSA meeting that was held here in Portland. It was very early on in the lifetime of BDC, but it provided so much good and relevant information that it really solidified my feeling that I could do this and do it well.

More later...

An interesting conversation

2008-06-09T11:17:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity (thanks to the work and charm of Renee) to meet with one of Portland's most important cultural organization's Artistic Directors last week.
With far more experience than I in the field and the weight of a storied and well-funded organization behind him, it was a great pleasure to meet and talk with him about some of the common challenges we face, and a surprise to find we shared some of the same frustrations.
Of course his challenges are on a much larger scale than mine, but the difficulty of funding what we do (Art in general) and what we want (our personal vision for our organizations) was similar.

One thing that was clear after our meeting and several others I've had recently is that there are many, many people in Portland that love and support the Arts. But many don't do so on a regular basis. "Begging for money" a crude but fair characterization of what an Arts organization must do to keep it's budget current, can be exhausting when so many love to watch the arts, but are unwilling to make sure they have the privilege by donating or supporting said arts. Ticket sales are a very small part of an organizations funding, and without the support of the private and individual public, it can be impossible to maintain adequate, interesting and dynamic programming.

So if you belong to the large group of people that watch and appreciate what we, the Arts organizations here in Portland, consider donating a bit...even $10.00 will help, especially if 500 of you do it at a time!
In return we will fill your evenings/matinee's with light, sound, music, dance and theater, teach your children, gladden your heart, feed your soul and challenge your senses...

Thanks

Upcoming Performances

2008-06-02T12:25:00.000-07:00

As I write this Jason Ohlberg has been here for 2 weekends setting his work "Precipice" Using 3 dancers (Keeley, Renee and Edgar) it is athletic and demanding with wonderful music. While I love to work with the dancers myself, it is also tremendously rewarding to see them rising to the challenge of new choreography and choreographers.
We have a new understudy, Meghan Smith who has worked a bit with me during the early days of the company. She will be in "Momentary Glimpse" and will back up, well...everyone but the boys!. One of the many challenges I face is finding dancers who are talented and ready to work and not having a place for them in the company. I am adamant about building a community of creative equals, and love the working relationship I have with my dancers...plus I have room for exactly 8 dancers in the budget, but it is so very hard to disappoint someone who wants to dance.
Perhaps in time I can offer more not only to my core group, but to other dancers wishing to participate.

We are taking a risk this time by adding a Matinee performance on Saturday June 28th at 2pm.
Due to several reschedulings not under our control, we have been pushed well into the summer for these performances, and it remains to be seen how this will affect our attendance.
At this stage however it is important simply to perform as much as possible, build a presence in the dance community and introduce our vision and our "brand" into the local scene.
Speaking of "Brand" you may have noticed our new logo, website front page and our poster...these are all designed by dancer Edgar Badua, who on top of his experience, presence and talent as a dancer just so happens to be an equally spectacular designer. Thanks Edgar!!

So...Deanna comes soon to start her new Ballet, her resume is excitingly extensive and varied and we are all looking forward to what she will bring to our shows.
My own works "Hollow Light" and "a momentary glimpse" are going well, it's a pleasure to challenge the dancers with such a stylistically varied and intensely physical program.

Tickets are now on sale, check the website and the psu Box Office...

see you all across the stagelights....

"How do you get dancers like that?"

2008-04-15T22:17:00.001-07:00

So, over the years as a professional dancer, and having watched many, many companies and individuals dance that have aroused my envy, awe and great pleasure, I always had in the back of my head the question: How do you get like that?"

Now, as an Artistic Director I ask myself: "How do you get dancers like that for MY company?"

I still don't know the exact answer to that question, but after this past sunday's preview and viewing of the "SideShow" video, I can say without reservation...I HAVE dancers like that.
It is ironic that the dancer mentality, one that I share in having been a dancer for 30 years, is one that rejects the positive and dwells on the negative. This can be good, as the best athlete's, scientists, businesspeople and dancers are always striving to be better and to be more than they are now.
But when someone does something so worthy of praise, so extraordinary and so human as the dancers of BDC did this past weekend, how do you communicate their accomplishment to them that will shake their head, look away and not believe?

In far less than ideal circumstance, under pressure, with no costumes or lights or any of the things that can propel a dancer to great things, the artists of BDC produced a small miracle of truthful and passionate dancing this weekend.

It has nothing to do with the choreography and everything to do with the commitment, the pleasure and the energy that they brought. What a great pleasure to watch it was.

Maybe i'm biased, but I challenge anyone to show me a better ensemble of dancers, so in tune with each other, happy to be there, mutually supportive, dynamically interesting, passionate and technically brilliant. Dancers, I know if you read this you're going to think i'm full of it...

But...

I've seen ALOT of dance, and you guys were simply and easily amazing.

If I ever doubt that this company will fly, I have only to turn to you all and watch...

Thanks guys...

New Website!!

2007-12-19T15:21:00.000-08:00

At last we have a new website! Let me know what you think, it only has 1 frame page (Bios) so it should be easy to navigate.

The Shows and Greece.

2007-10-26T13:07:00.000-07:00

Well, the performances have come and gone, as well as my first vacation ever to Skopelos, Greece.
While we received no review that I am aware of, the performances where unquestionably a great success for all. 3 Leg Torso turned up on Friday for the dress/tech rehearsals and where impeccably professional and unbelievably, spontaneously creative. SideShow turned from a disparate set of ideas and pieces into a unified whole, all at the last possible minute. Peter Rossings work on the sets, also at the last possible minute added the catalyst that created the long-imagined ambiance and the music, finally heard live and without the extraneous dialogue, was truly encredible.
Friday was an intense day for me, with the technical crew putting in hours of work, the dancers running through the program for the first time twice, before performing it again that night.
I forgot to eat or drink and woke up friday night with terrible cramps in both legs. Saturday was a breeze compared, and the show finally gelled into a PERFORMANCE. Friday was great, saturday was better.
So many people to thank, pay and keep up to speed with...onward for BDC!
Greece was beautiful, although I could have done without Athens, and a little less personnel on the trip would have been better.
I'm back and coming up to speed....

Opening Night!!

2007-10-06T10:17:00.000-07:00

First show went up last night after an intense day of technical and dress rehearsals. 3 Leg Torso sound wonderful, and their personality and professionalism made "SideShow" a success. I forgot to eat or drink anything all day and woke up with terrible cramps in both legs, but all in all, it was a success all round. We had about half the house sold, which is exactly what I had predicted, but it also looks like saturday (tonight) will be a slightly larger audience.

Nearly there.

2007-10-03T00:31:00.000-07:00

It's tuesday night, we open Friday and everything is converging on the date. We appear to be well represented with lots of advertising, posters, radio announcements and word of mouth out. I hope to sell at least 1/2 the house for each night, or we're in money trouble.
The dancers are looking great, if a little stressed like us all at this point. By the time the curtain goes up, they will be fantastic. "SideShow" is a bear. In retrospect I should not have taken 2 weeks away from it so near the performances, it shows in the hesitation of the dancers and a loss of continuity in the choreography. Next time I will give my own work greater priority instead of being so free with the little time we have to make a show.
Rachel's piece looks clean and finished, Echo the same, and DAvy's piece is coming along nicely, in spite of his frustration with it. "Metaphor" looks clean and rehearsed, except for the finale which we've only done twice in this configuration...should be OK by friday.
So many people have worked so hard on this, it will be a relief to get it out on stage and performed.
The Band has decided they don't need rehearsal thursday night, just friday afternoon..................not sure what I think of that, but i'll go with it, because I have to. I hope they are as good as they need to be, and I trust they are.
At this point, we just ride the wave into shore, hopefully with all the costumes and sets finished, and dancers who know what they are doing...

Getting Closer...

2007-09-14T12:44:00.000-07:00

Ok. So I made the obvious mistake of hoping all would go well, which means that instantly I had 1 dancer down and some hiccups in the funding, as well as other difficulties. Luckily Scott's foot was NOT broken, he's in pain but soldiering on with a bad sprain and funding has smoothed out somewhat. Davy arrives Sunday nite at 2AM!! No sleep for me.
Metaphor is looking fine, with some nerves showing among the dancers as the performances get closer. Even though it was originally done for young dancers, it is very difficult and in some parts very "windy" to do.
SideShow won't be finished until we get the band into rehearsal...nobody has any idea if it will all work or not.
The sets look fantastic though so there'll be something to see onstage, as well as the wonderful music.
Rachel's piece is good, the dancers are solid and happy with it and Echo is also fine, with 2 new casts up to speed in it.
Mary has arrived with some of the costumes, she has surpassed herself, they look incredible!!
The madness i'm sure will only intensify as we get closer, but all in all, we are on track.