Arch Contemporary Ballet Presents Three Eye-Opening Works, 11/18-19

Arch Contemporary Ballet, in its mission to launch ballet and music to an inclusive 21st century audience, presents three world premieres by Artistic Director Sheena Annalise at The Sheen Center with three performances Friday, November 18th - Saturday, November 19th at 8:00 pm.

A rising pioneer for ballet and music, Annalise's distinct style unveils unconventional lines of a dancer's body. All works will debut with original music scores commissioned from 21st Century artists, and feature collaborations in fashion, technology, film, and different music genres from Classical to EDM.

"Arch Contemporary Ballet (ACB) challenges the past and launches into the future with new pointe work, new music, and new ideas about the potential of ballet," remarks Annalise. "Through collaborations with emerging artists and themes relevant to today, we are creating work to resonate with new audiences. We want ballet to be and continue to be relevant to the entire community."

'Young Blood', opens the evening in a sprightly, effervescent, and upbeat tone. The brass and percussive ensemble is seen in silhouette elevated above the stage floor as the audience looks in on the dancers playing on the dynamic of being forever young. The electric and free spirited movement inspired by childhood games such as tag, patty cake, leap frog, red rover, and countless others, is complimented by this contagious music score by award winning composer and conductor Matthew AC Cohen.

In contrast, a dynamic and fluid 'Plated' allures viewers with malleable and intriguing shapes in this thought-provoking duet. The dancers represent an image of superficial happiness based on social media expectations, but as their gold dipped bodies entangle, the façade chips away suggesting all is not as it first seems, and the golden posture is merely 'Plated'. A live saxophone performace by Thomas La Rocca accentuates this modern reality.

The finale 'Replica' illustrates how we live in a culture where everything is replicated or reproduced and explores the value of an original object. The striking choreography is stirred with 3D printed costumes sponsored by Make Mode designed by Merve Oztemel. A pulsing original EDM score by Matthew AC Cohen and a 3D motion capture backdrop in real-time creates a 4D optical illusion on stage. Experimental and intricate body shapes are manufactured by sharp movements and eye-catching lines.

There will be an autism friendly modified performance on November 19th at 2:00 pm as part of ACB's Arch for Autism Initiative.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Arch Contemporary Ballet performs Friday, November 18th - Saturday, November 19th at 8:00 pm, and a modified Autism Friendly matinee performance on Saturday, November 19th at 2:00 pm at The Sheen Center.

Advanced general admission tickets are $25, VIP tickets are $35.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.archballet.com.

DIRECTIONS

The Sheen Center is located at 18 Bleecker Street, between Mott and Elizabeth Street in Manhattan and is accessible by Subway 4, 6 at Bleecker Street and B, D, F, M at Broadway/Lafayette.

ABOUT ARCH CONTEMPORARY BALLET

Founded in 2013, New York City's Arch Contemporary Ballet was established with a bold spirit and innovative vision to create an artistic process that enhances the connection between ballet and music. All of ACB's works are choreographed and completed in silence. Commissioned artists then create original music scores specifically for each repertoire program. In addition to her innovative way of joining movement and music, Artistic Director and choreographer, Sheena Annalise, challenges classicism with a cutting-edge approach to partnering, pairing women on pointe together as partners. ACB has performed across the country including the Paramount Theatre in Boston, Tempe Center for the Arts in Tempe, AZ, Marlene Boll Theatre in Detroit, New York City's Sheen Center, and more. Learn more at www.ArchBallet.com.

SHEENA ANNALISE, ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Artistic Director and choreographer, Sheena Annalise, at age 14, was honored to work with Wayne McGregor | Random Dance in "Equator Project", nurturing her choreographic talent. She quickly found a distinct voice by creating innovative body lines and exploring her fascination with the connection between movement and music. In her early work she began to play with creating her own tempos, accents, and pauses in her ballets without the limitations of existing music. Looking to accentuate her silent yet rhythmic choreography, she developed her artistic process of commissioning artists to create music specifically to each repertoire program. Annalise spent 2012 mentoring with the Mark Morris Dance Group, when she then founded Arch Contemporary Ballet the following year. Through ACB she has received residencies and space grants throughout NYC and has been named a "Prodigy" by The Women's Project.

ARCH FOR AUTISM

Arch for Autism is an initiative for families and friends with children or adults who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder or other sensitivity issues to come together and enjoy the benefits of dance and music. Our goal is to make ballet and music accessible to all by including Autism Friendly performances during our performance season... Adjustments to the production include reduction of obscure lighting, shorter running time, and reduction of any sudden sounds. Plus, there will be areas in the lobby for quiet time or activities staffed with autism specialists for those who need to leave their seats during the performance.

MATTHEW A.C. COHEN

Matthew A.C. Cohen has composed and performed around the globe and is a Remi Platinum Award winner for the short film"@Social #Connection". He attended Hofstra University, where he got a B.S. in Music Theory/Composition, with special interests in Film Scoring, Jazz Improvisation and arranging, and orchestration, and went on to get an MFA in Scoring for Media from Columbia College Chicago. He writes for network television shows, including "Reign" and "Vikings", studio films including "Brick Mansions", "The Funhouse Massacre", and "Christmas Land", and triple A video game titles including "Dragon Age: Inquisition". He is a versatile and inventive musician and composer.

THOMAS LA ROCCA

A native of Long Island, New York, Thomas LaRocca is the Fine Arts Director at John Adams High School where he teaches instrumental music. When he's not in the classroom, he performs as a saxophonist, keyboardist, and composer. He is a graduate of the University of Central Florida and Baruch College, and is passionate about creating new music.

MAKE MODE

Make Mode is a creative 3d printing studio and 3d printing service based in Brooklyn, NY specializing in demanding and time-sensitive custom projects. Besides functioning as a micro-factory for NYC's creative ecosystem, Make Mode also offers classes on 3d printing and workshops on design for 3d printing.

MERVE OZTEMEL

Merve Oztemel is an Istanbul native; she pursued Textile and Fashion Design at Marmara University Faculty of Fine Arts. Her brand Merve Oztemel is based on the technique of blending craftsmanship with digital technology. Her views of 3D technology and the integration into everyday life have been noted to be "ahead of the curve", and she implies that 3D technology is the future to creating a unique result in the material world.

(Photo Credit: Noel Valero)