Re:Emerge Festival Video Vol 4 - Contemporary Perspectives

Center Stage Theater &
The UCSB Initiative for New & Reimagined Work
present

Re:Emerge - Video Volume 4
Contemporary Perspectives: live performances and dance films

It is exciting to finally be seeing some bright lights ahead after all these difficult months. We are excited to be welcoming back both performers and audiences and we thought it was a great time to celebrate. 

The Re:Emerge Festival performed June 17-20 with 4 unique line-ups including live and video performances by dancers from Santa Barbara and beyond in a wide variety of dance styles and genres. For those who were not able to join us for the Festival we have created a video version. Each day of the Festival will be released as a unique video, this is volume 4 recorded June 20.

Contemporary Perspectives: Live Performances and Dance Films 

At Once
SG Dancers/Whitney Ross
Choreography: Whitney Ross
Dancers: Morgan Geraghty, Stephanie Hing, Kate Perkins & Maddie Takemori

There is no other . . .
UCSB Dance Company/Nancy Colahan
Choreography: Nancy Colahan                 
Performer: Sophia Yacap

Desert Picnic
Wild Beast Dance/Tammy Carrasco
Direction & Choreography: Tammy Carrasco
Performers: Tim Bendernagel & Chloe London

Drenched (an excerpt)
Smashworks Dance/Ashley McQueen
Choreography: Ashley McQueen in collaboration with dancers
Performers: Smashworks Dance featuring Sara Erickson, Manon Hallay, Ashley McQueen, Sumaya Mulla-Carrillo, Minga Prather, Haley Williams

Rescue
Avila Joy Edwards
Choreography: Avila Joy Edwards & Katie Cleek
Performers: Avila Joy Edwards, Katie Cleek & Maile Kai Merrick

A Study On Seeing and Being Seen
Meredith Lyons & Gianna Burright
Choreographic improvisation and performance: Gianna Burright, Meredith Lyons & Sio Tepper

Culminate
Choreography Emily Stratton

Effort of Hope
UCSB Dance Company/Gianna Burright
Choreography: Gianna Burright in collaboration with the dancers
Performers: Amity Beardsley, Sera Shahgholian, Dakota Smith, Andrew To & Sophia Yacap

Human
Selah Dance Collective/Amanda Keller
Choreography: Amanda Keller
Performers: Bryn Gallagher, Amara Galloway, Ariana Hartanov, Amanda Keller, Ashley Kohler, Tara McAninch, Daisy Mohrman, Rachyl Pines & Meredith Cabaniss Ventura

Director’s Pick
Cygnus
Direction: Cara Hagan & Robert Uehlin
Choreography & Performance: Cara Hagan

Cygnus by Cara Hagan was selected by the Artistic Director to be featured in the Re:Emerge Festival.  Fresh off the Film Festival Circuit—with screenings in over 26 film festivals—Cygnus offers a prime example of the simplicity and nuance of masterful cinematography, serving as a foundation for vulnerable, transcendent expression of the human form.  Ms. Hagan’s film offers a depth of vision and mastery of the craft of dance filmmaking, and also features her riveting performance and presence as the subject of the film.  

Director’s Note
It goes without saying that this has been an incredibly challenging year. While many industries have been effected by the pandemic in significant ways, the performing arts—and dance in particular—have endured devastating economic and structural ramifications. COVID’s impact on the arts has been widely un-addressed at the governmental level and it is due to the unshakeable support of arts advocates, donors, and community organizers that we are here today.

This afternoon’s program shines a light on the variety and complexity that exists within the scope of contemporary dance. From sensory, experimental films, to high-test, percussive virtuosity, Contemporary dance springs forth in response to the moment. Developing from the hybridity of trainings in younger generations of dance makers, contemporary dance, with firm roots in modern dance, defies narrow classification with its incorporation of aesthetics and technical aspects of ballet, modern, jazz, commercial forms, diasporic cultural dance forms and more. Prioritizing creative movement inventions and pursuit of new ways to think about and create dance—contemporary dance is uniquely suited to a forward-thinking focus on movement research.

Today’s program features artists from around the country and around the globe, representing multiple facets and contemporary perspectives in the field of dance. With conceptual dance film, site-responsive screen-dance, and live performances ranging in styles and aesthetics—it is no wonder that the margins of what constitutes contemporary dance are blurred and ever-changing. Representing a form that is still growing and evolving, many approaches to developing contemporary dance emerge from evolutionary creative process. Even as we witness new and unique points-of-view, we continue to look to the future and wonder what yet will come. Eyes on the horizon, while thoroughly experiencing the present moment.

Thank you so much for spending the afternoon with us, and for your ongoing support of the performing arts. We hope to see you again soon!

—Brandon Whited, Curator/Artistic Director

Videos will be available for viewing through July 11. You may watch the video multiple times, but cannot download or share the link.

Tickets:
(Prices are pay what you can, levels above general include a donation to Center Stage Theater to support future events>)
General $10
Friend $25
Patron $50
Angel $250

After purchase you will receive an email confirmation with the link to the video.  If you have any problems email us at admin@centerstagetheater.org.