SOPAC to Showcase 2014 'Council Choreography Fellowship' Winners, 10/10

On October 10 2014, South Orange Performing Arts Center (SOPAC) will host the showcase of the 2014 winners of the prestigious New Jersey State Arts Council Choreography Fellowship. Recipients Randy James, Lydia Johnson and Erin Carlisle Norton were awarded the fellowship earlier this year to recognize their commitment to artistic excellence. Each will present a full-length work.

State Arts Council Choreography Fellowships are awarded every three years as part of the Council's Individual Artist Fellowship Program, supporting New Jersey artists in 12 disciplines that rotate annually. These highly competitive awards are based solely on independent peer review of anonymous artist submissions, and are designed to promote artistic excellence and help artists further their careers.

The State Arts Council rotates the location of the Fellowship Showcases to help ensure the broadest public has access to the experience and the artists get the widest exposure possible. "The Council is proud to partner with SOPAC because of our common goals and vision, not only for this program but for New Jersey artists and the arts industry as a whole," said State Arts Council Executive Director Nick Paleologos. "SOPAC is a premiere performing arts center that engages people of all ages and from all walks of life. It's a venue with a multifaceted mission, which includes serving as an engine for economic development and helping to shape South Orange as a cultural destination."

Recipient Randy James is the Artistic Director of the all-male dance troupe 10 Hairy Legs. The company celebrates and explores the tremendous technical and emotional range of the male dancer. This is the third time James has received the esteemed honor. 10 Hairy Legs will perform the piece "Pillar Of Salt." James notes, "Receiving the NJSCA fellowship is an incredible honor and an amazing gift. I am thankful to have my company perform my work, "Pillar of Salt," at SOPAC with founding members of 10 Hairy Legs, as this piece crystallized my vision for and motivation to bring the concept of 10 Hairy Legs to fruition."

First-time recipient Lydia Johnson is the Artistic Director of Lydia Johnson Dance, which uses components of ballet woven seamlessly into a contemporary dance vocabulary. Capturing a sense of the depth and spirit of the human struggle, Ms. Johnson's evocative work is noted for an underlying sense of drama, which resonates through the predominantly abstract qualities of her choreography. The company will perform "Night and Dreams" set to Schubert Leider.

Erin Carlisle Norton is the founder of The Moving Architects, which takes a highly visual approach to choreography, assessing movement phrases based on their filmic as well as thematic properties. A major method is to consider 'distance' both virtually and culturally in her work. Her company will premiere the piece "Demure as Dynamite."

A Q&A with celebrated dance critic Robert Johnson and the three choreographers will follow directly after the performance.

Showtime: 8:00pm

Tickets: $20, $15 for SOPAC Members

To post a comment, you must register and login.