Bryce Dance Co. to Bring TO YOU, AROUND YOU, ABOUT YOU, to THT, 9/14

For most, contemporary dance is not the first thing that pops into mind when thinking about independent or assisted living facilities. For the Bryce Dance Company and the 13 Vermont-based "movers" involved in their piece To You, Around You, About You, it is.

Bryce Dance Company will present To You, Around You, About You with a work-in-progress performance of Breathing Under Water at Town Hall Theater on Sunday, September 14 at 2pm.

The use of the word "movers" is entirely intentional with this innovative dance company. To You, Around You, About You is a multi-media dance performance piece that contemplates themes related to end of life: aging, memory, illness. It is performed by a company committed to presenting work that truthfully reflects the stories and interests of the individuals and communities that they are working with. Heather Bryce and Kayla West, the originators this piece, collaborated with the company members and the residents of an area Independent Living Facility in order to develop this work. To accurately reflect the stories told, this piece will be performed by movers from a variety of backgrounds that stretch the full length of the age range. This, though, is not uncommon for a company that regularly invites "alternative populations into the creation of new work," and self identifies as an "inter-generational performance company."

The company will also present a work-in-progress titled Breathing Under Water, that will be performed by seven company members. This piece explores encountering change and challenges, pushing against the current, and traveling with the tide. "We've had dance companies here before, but never like this one," says executive director of Town Hall Theater, Doug Anderson. "These pieces will surely be some of the most fascinating our stage has seen."

Performers include: Jason Beaudreau (musical accompaniment), John Bennett, Paule Bezaire, Heather Bryce, Gretchen Cannady, Susan Edwards, Ruth Farmer, Suzy Finnefrock, Beth Hartmann, Dawn Rose Kearn, Elizabeth Leahy, Carol Leinwohl, Chelsea Palin, Jenny Peterson, Brianna Rainville, Ana Maria Simpson-Rapone, Kayla West, and Jonna Wissert.

This work was made possible through generous support from: The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts?, The Ben & Jerry's Foundation, Green Mountain Performing Arts?, The Vermont Arts Council?, and NEFA.

Bryce Dance Company will perform at Town Hall Theater on Sunday, September 14 at 2:00pm. Tickets are $20, and may be purchased at www.townhalltheater.org, 802 382-9222, at the THT box office, or at the door.

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