February 2, 2023
Megan Bommarito; 512.232.5328; megan.bommarito@austin.utexas.edu
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THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT AUSTIN
DANCE REPERTORY THEATRE AT
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE AND DANCE
PRESENTS
EMERGE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR, GESEL MASON
PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTORS, ERICA “EG” GIONFRIDDO,
DOROTHY O’SHEA OVERBEY
MARCH 1-5, 2023
AT THE B. IDEN PAYNE THEATRE
Resident student dance company, Dance Repertory Theatre at Texas Theatre and Dance presents EMERGE, an exploration of themes of emergence through a reflection on history that imagines a way forward, elevating the inventiveness and interconnectivity of moving art forms. Featuring the work of professional and student choreographers, EMERGE will also feature the return of the Haruka Weiser Commission. On stage at the B. Iden Payne Theatre March 1-5, 2023.
“Creating dance is a rigorous form of imagination,” shared the artistic directors (Gesel Mason, Erica “eg” Gionfriddo and Dorothy O’Shea Overbey). “ We are imagining new worlds, new relationships and new ways of communicating. The works in this program look to the past – a tender childhood memory or the literal dark ages; and imagines our future, hopeful and in harmony with technology and wondering whether our Renaissance is yet to come.”
EMERGE showcases a series of works, including the restaging of Renaissance Futura by head of dance and Theatre and Dance faculty member, Gesel Mason. Renaissance Futura asks us to consider whether we are once again in the Dark Ages and imagines what a 21st century renaissance might look like. Mason, whose work includes No Boundaries - an ever-growing, multifaceted archive of prominent African American choreographers, is a choreographer, performer and educator as well as the artistic director of Gesel Mason Performance Projects. A former member of Liz Lerman Dance Exchange and Ralph Lemon/Cross Performance Projects, her work focuses on creating compelling art as a way to encourage compassion and inquiry.
Also featured in EMERGE is the return of the Haruka Weiser Memorial Commission, which will be choreographed this year by acclaimed Israeli ambassador of Dance Ido Tadmore. “Embedded in this production is the memory of our own dancer, Haruka Weiser, who was taken from us in 2016,” shares producing artistic director Erica “eg” Gionfriddo (ARCOS). “EMERGE marks the return of the commission after a three-year pandemic pause and Ido is honored to fulfill this creation in Haruka’s memory . We hope the audience senses her presence and celebrates the life dance brings to you in ways large and small.”
Other artists presenting work in EMERGE include Anya and Mitsuko Clarke-Verdery (Michiyaya) with why they are the way that they are, as well as student Venese Alcantar presenting Blue, Contrapposto, Blue.
For more information about EMERGE, please visit JoinTheDrama.org
CALENDAR LISTING
March 1-5, 2023 – The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance presents Emerge at the B. Iden Payne Theatre (300 E. 23rd St.), located in the F. Loren Winship Drama Building. A map of the campus: theatredance.utexas.edu/about/location-directions-parking
Performance times are March 1 at 7:30 p.m. (PREVIEW), March 2 at 7:30 p.m. (Opening), March 3-4 at 7:30 p.m. and March 5 at 2:00 p.m. ($26 adult, $21 UT faculty and staff, $15 student; Preview performances: $10 adult, $5 student) are available for sale at F. Loren Winship Box Office and online at JoinTheDrama.org.. Office locations and hours: theatredance.utexas.edu/ticketing
ABOUT TEXAS THEATRE AND DANCE
The University of Texas at Austin Department of Theatre and Dance is a world-class educational environment that serves as the ultimate creative incubator for the next generation of artists, thinkers and leaders in theatre and performance.
ALSO THIS SEASON
The Cohen New Works Festival
April 3-7, 2023
F. Loren Winship Drama Building
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