Randy James' 10 Hairy Legs Dance Company Makes World Debut Today

Randy James' new dance company, 10 Hairy Legs, will have its World Debut at The Theatre at Raritan Valley Community College today, November 25, 2012 at 2:00 pm. Originally scheduled for November 3, 2012, it was postponed due to Hurricane Sandy.

10 Hairy Legs is a repertory company of Randy James' work as well as existing and new works by today's most significant modern dance choreographers, not meant to reflect a specific point of view about the male experience, but rather to celebrate and exploit the tremendous technical and emotional range of today's male dancer. 10 Hairy Legs will advance the understanding of the male role in modern dance through the creation, acquisition and performance of exceptional work from the contemporary canon.

The program for the World Debut features James' Pillar of Salt, David Parker's duet "Bang," a solo by Claire Porter entitled "Interview," and a world premiere by Manuel Vignoulle, formerly a member of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet and GenEva Ballet.

The founding Principal dancers are Alex Biegelson, Tyner Dumortier, Kyle Marshall, Scott Schneider and Nick Sciscione. All recent graduates, their technical and artistic expertise raised the level of dance at Mason Gross School of the Arts, Rutgers University, during their tenure. They are currently actively employed as performers and educators in the field, working with Stephen Petronio, Carolyn Dorfman Dance Company, LustigDanceTheatre, Nimbus Dance Works and ZviDance, among others. All currently reside in New Jersey. They are joined by Cyle Jackson and Carlo Antonio Villaneuva, currently seniors completing their Bachelor of Fine Arts Degrees in Dance.

10 Hairy Legs, while new in its current form, grows from James' experience as the five founding men's principal teacher, coach and mentor during their four years as dance majors at Mason Gross School of the Arts. During those four years an intimate working relationship evolved that served to create cohesion among the artists while providing James with the palette to produce several new and important works that will form the nucleus of the company's initial repertory. While the company is "new," it hits the ground running with seasoned dancers who have a complete understanding of its vision led by James who has 30+ years of active experience in the field as a choreographer, teacher, educator, and outspoken arts leader in the state and beyond.

The balance of the 2012-2013 season includes additional works from James' critically acclaimed repertory with appearances at Mason Gross School of the Arts (Middlesex County) and the New Jersey Performing Arts Center's Victoria Theater (Essex County) during its Jersey Moves festival (February 23); at The Crossroads Theatre in New Brunswick, Middlesex County (April 14); our New York City Debut at New York Live Arts (May 30-June 2), and conclude with a two week residency and performances with workshops and outreach on Cayman Brac and Grand Cayman at the end of June.

James' former company, Randy James Dance Works, operated with uninterrupted service for 16 years until 2009, at which time he and the board decided to put the company on hiatus. James had suffered a personal tragedy and was pursuing his Bachelor of Arts degree while maintaining a full time teaching schedule at Mason Gross School of the Arts.

10 Hairy Legs will serve to engage the core dance audience, and will also draw new audiences from less traditional sources due to its unique perspective as an all male company. The quality of the artistic work presented, as well as the collaborations created, will serve to engage those interested in new work, live music and renowned choreographers. As James will continue his position as a member of the faculty of Mason Gross' Dance Department following his Sabbatical, it will also serve to raise the standard of male dancer seeking admission to the department since there will be a notable professional performing entity comprised of graduates from the program. James' wildly popular Dance Appreciation class, attended by more than 1,000 non-dance department students each semester, provides a unique opportunity to engage and educate a novice audience.

Tickets to the performance are $30, $20 with Senior and Student discounts available. They may be purchased by calling (908) 725-3420 or at www.rvccarts.org. The theater is located at 118 Lamington Road, Branchburg, NJ.

A Meet the Artist Reception follows the performance. Tickets to the Reception may be purchased for $25 by contacting Betsy Sobo at bsobo@10HL.org. Patrons may choose to receive Premium Seating at the performance and entre?e to the reception. These tickets are $55 - $100 per person.

10 Hairy Legs is funded in part by a leadership grant from The Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation.

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