Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre to Bring Immersive Art to Twin Tall Ships in San Pedro

On June 24, 2017, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre will preview a new work, Beyond the Waterfront, with a one-night-only public performance. The performance marks the first time immersive art has come to the Los Angeles Maritime Institute's twin Tall Ships in San Pedro and a new collaboration among HDDT, LA Opera, Los Angeles Maritime Institute, and marine research incubator AltaSea. A dance opera story of sirens and sailors on the ships and the wharf, Beyond the Waterfront pays homage to the late Leonard Bernstein with a multi-sensory work that tackles themes of collaboration, sustainability, and the influence of humanity on environment.

The history and aesthetic of the Tall Ships juxtaposed with the contemporary volume of traffic in the port will provide critical context for performers to connect past and present in the performance. While the story will differ from On The Waterfront-it won't include any crooked union bosses-the production will inhabit the spirit of Bernstein's work and the circumstances in which the film was shot: on the docks, Longshoremen working in the background, and all the natural sounds of the port-birds, horns, water and wind.

Duckler is thrilled to work with composer Juhi Bansal, and three singers from the LA Opera (who will play the sirens), alongside six of Duckler's own dance company members to create the piece. The audience will sit on the wharf of City Dock No. 1, the oldest pier at the Port of LA, immersed in the sights and sounds of the port, while watching the dancers perform on the anchored ships in the water. Duckler and her dancers will choreograph the piece in advance, though wind and sea conditions will contribute to an unpredictable and adventurous performance!

The project is supported, in part by LA Opera, AltaSea at the Port of Los Angeles, the Los Angeles Maritime Institute, San Pedro Historic District, and the Council Member Buscaino's Office.

Performance Information:
Beyond the Waterfront June 24, 2017, Performance starts at 8pm
Port of Los Angeles, 2456 S Signal St, Berth 58, San Pedro

Tickets available at: http://www.heididuckler.org/beyond-the-waterfront

Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre

Founded in 1985 by choreographer Heidi Duckler, Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre has created memorable dance experiences in extraordinary locations for three decades. Called the "reigning queen of site specific performance" by the LA Times, Duckler is dedicated to building audiences for the arts, especially in underserved communities. HDDT creates contemporary art experiences in nontraditional places and learning opportunities in diverse neighborhoods that redefine the relationship between audience and art through the cultivation of innovative partnerships. As the company begins its 30th anniversary season, expect Heidi Duckler Dance Theatre in unexpected places. Duckler has created more than 200 dance pieces all over the world. Awards include a City of LA Department of Cultural Affairs COLA Award, California Arts Council Choreography Fellowship and National Endowment of the Arts American Masterpiece award.

Photo Credit: Sean Deckert

To post a comment, you must register and login.