Verb Ballets Dancer Antonio Morillo to Bring New Work to Next@Graham in NYC

A new work by Verb Ballets dancer, Antonio Morillo, was selected by the Martha Graham Company for the Next@Graham Studio Series. The company will debut the work on January 4, 2017 at 8:00pm at the Graham Studio Theater in NYC.

Six other national companies and Graham Alumni, Pascal Rioult/RIOULT Dance NY will appear on the program.

This series is the latest addition to the dynamic Martha Graham Studio Series curated by Tadej Brdnik which showcases the work of Graham Family and Graham Alumni. The application process was opened world wide and Morillo's work plus six other Graham Alumni Artists/Companies including Ariel Rivka Dance, Hyphen/Catherine Cabeen, Karlie Budge, MMC Dance Company, Nimbus Dance Works, and SMU Meadows Dance Ensemble were selected.

Morillo's new work is titled Pieces of Yearning and in it he explores relating the environment to movement development. The work will premiere at Next@Graham from two cities integrating Verb dancers in Cleveland with Verb dancers performing live at the Graham Studio Theater. The inspiration for the choreography draws from the work of Merce Cunningham. The score composed by Sean Hamilton is a conjunction of new, electroacoustic, free improvisation and experimental music. The music and the dance exist simultaneously in the same space but are not related to one another. This is Morillo's first season with Verb Ballets. Morillo has performed with the Patel Conservatory's Next Generation Ballet as well as Tampa City Ballet. Morillo is overjoyed to have had his piece selected by the Martha Graham Company. Verb Ballets is honored to have performed Martha Graham repertory and to return to The Martha Graham Studio Series as part of the Graham Family.

The entire performance will be live-streamed through the Graham Facebook page for those who cannot attend.

Tickets to Next@Graham on January 4, 2017 at 8:00pm are $25 in advance or $30 at the door and include a complimentary glass of wine. Tickets can be purchase in advance by visiting marthagraham.org/nextgraham-2017. The Martha Graham Studio Theatre is located at 55 Bethune Street, 11 Floor, NY, NY 10014.

Antonio Morillo (Choreographer)
Antonio is from Orlando, Florida. He received his Associate of Arts in Dance Performance from Valencia College and is in the final stages of completing his BFA in Dance Performance from the University of South Florida while dancing with Verb. Antonio has performed with the Patel Conservatory's Next Generation Ballet as well as Tampa City Ballet. Antonio has performed works by Jon Lehrer, José Limón, Alonzo King LINES Ballet, Robert Moses' Kin, and Maurice Causey. He is the recipient of the Verb Ballets' Shah Capital Aspiring Dancer Fund for the 2016-17 season. Antonio is very excited and humbled to be a part of the Verb Ballets' legacy for his first season.

Sean Hamilton (Composer)
Sean Hamilton is a percussionist, composer, and improviser whose interests primarily lie in the conjunctions of new music, electroacoustic music, free improvisation, experimental music, and interdisciplinary projects. As a percussionist, Sean gave the world premiere of Stuart Saunders Smith's Queen Anne's Lace for solo vibraphone, an evening-length work commissioned by Sean. He has given numerous performances of improvised compositions for solo drum set and electronics, including those presented while serving as an artist-in-residence with Leeds Improvised Music and Experimentation (LIME) in Leeds, UK and as a featured performer at the Anxious Sound Series in New Orleans, LA. Sean has presented additional recitals and solo performances throughout the United States and in the United Kingdom, recently completing two tours with his solo drum set and electronics project which included performances and lectures throughout the southeastern United States and in southern California. Additionally, his playing can be heard on his solo album LOCI, on several releases with the McCormick Percussion Group (including Plot: Music for Unspecified Instrumentation), and on two albums with his electroacoustic duo Mechanical Bull. Read full bio and learn more at www.seanhamiltonmusic.com/about.

Verb Ballets, a contemporary ballet company, presents dynamic programming through bold artistry, unique styles, and technical excellence that captivates a broad audience. Under the direction of Dr. Margaret Carlson, Producing Artistic Director and Richard Dickinson, MFA, Associate Director, the company will present a season that ignites passion in the energy, beauty, and athleticism of dance. Critics have hailed Verb Ballets as, "Dashes preconceptions ...with keen dramatic power." -The Plain Dealer, "(Verb) is dance magnifique." - The Examiner, "confident and polished, Verb's dancers shone" - Dance International Magazine. Verb Ballets cultivates dance appreciation and nurtures wellness through movement in community dance classes, school residencies, senior outreach, library programs, master classes, and college course partnerships. Verb Ballets has also been named one of Five Great Tiny Troupes in America by Dance Magazine and was one of the 25 dance companies in America to watch. Additional information can be found at www.verbballets.org.