The four choreographers were selected from 63 applicants interested in working with AXIS, the Oakland based physically integrated dance company, in a research laboratory environment as part of a pilot MANCC program entitled Free to Rep.
MANCC's Free to Rep program provides subsidized research and development time for one U.S. based repertory company and four choreographers annually who have not previously worked together. The 2006 Free to Rep program paired Philadanco (PA) with choreographers Bridget Moore (NY), Uri Sands (MN), Takehiro Ueyama (NY), and Anouk Van Dijk (Netherlands).
The goals of this particular program with AXIS are three fold states Jennifer Calienes, Director of the Center - to provide subsidized research and development time for AXIS and the four choreographers void of the usual time and financial constraints surrounding many commissioning structures; to assist AXIS in creating a formal orientation program for future choreographers working with the company; and to spark a larger dialog about research and development opportunities for U.S. based companies and choreographers. A forum will be held the last days of the residency to provide an opportunity for additional choreographers, artistic directors and presenters to share in the experience and discuss current commissioning structures, artistic risk-taking, and opportunities for emerging artists.
Since 1987, AXIS Dance Company has created an exciting body of work developed by dancers with and without disabilities. They are at the forefront of paving the way for a powerful and inclusive dance form, "physically integrated dance"Â. AXIS has performed in theaters and dance spaces at its home base in the Bay Area, on tour throughout the U.S., as well as in Germany and Siberia. Under the Artistic Direction of Judith Smith, the Company has commissioned over 30 repertory works from the nation's preeminent choreographers and composers including Bill T. Jones, Stephen Petronio, Victoria Marks, Margaret Jenkins, Ann Carlson, Joe Goode and Meredith Monk.
MANCC (pronounced man-see) is a national research and development center for dance located in Tallahassee, Florida, that shares dance facilities with the Department of Dance on the Florida State University campus. Facilities include seven large dance studios, a 400-seat theater, black box, audio lab, computer and media lab, classrooms, offices, dressing rooms and conditioning studio for dancers.
By www.axisdance.org
Posted December 29th, 2006 by ruzik_tuzik
