Double Edge Theatre Previews Work by Columbia College Chicago's Dance Center & Theatre Dept., 1/18 - 1/19

In partnership with The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, the Columbia College Chicago Theatre Department presents Double Edge Theatre, performing a work co-commissioned by the Theatre Department and The Dance Center January 18th and 19th at The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago. The company also will participate in The Dance Center's 14th season of FamilyDance Matinees Saturday, January 19, including a free movement workshop with the artists followed by a family-friendly performance.

Rooted in Jerzy Grotowski's Eastern European theatre practice, Double Edge Theatre is a deeply collaborative, Massachusetts-based ensemble working in a unique form of devised physical theatre incorporating choreography, aerial flight, puppetry and circus arts. THE GRAND PARADE (OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY), an original, multidisciplinary work co-commissioned by Columbia College Chicago's Theatre Department and The Dance Center, is the first installment in the company's anticipated multi-year THE CHAGALL CYCLE. Imagined through the lens of visionary artist Marc Chagall's paintings, preview performances of THE GRAND PARADE at The Dance Center will take audiences through a kaleidoscopic mash-up of the 20th century that echoes Chagall's life, which spanned nearly a century, and summons his sensibilities and personal memories. The piece is conceived and directed by Artistic Director Stacy Klein, with an original score by Russian composer Alexander Bakshi.

Six Columbia theatre students will train and rehearse with the company at their artistic home, The Farm in Ashfield, Massachusetts, and perform with the ensemble in January at The Dance Center.

Double Edge Theatre recently received one of 13 highly competitive National Theater Project grants, awarded by the New England Foundation for the Arts, for The Grand Parade. Now in only its second year, the National Theater Project supports the production and touring of original, devised and/or ensemble theatre works and brings visibility to Contemporary Theatre work.

There will be a post-performance conversation with the artists Friday, January 18th.

Double Edge Theatre has as its mission to create a "living culture" by developing the highest quality of original theatre performance, based on the long-term imaginative work of the actor and his/her interaction with the communities in which the work takes place, and by cultivating at its home in Ashfield, Massachusetts—The Farm—a permanent center of performance, training, research and cultural exchange. The goal is to elevate the creation and understanding of artistic expression and cultural mutuality between artists and their communities.

The co-presentation of Double Edge Theatre by Columbia College Chicago's Theatre Department and The Dance Center is funded, in part, by the Illinois Arts Council.

The mission of the Theatre Department at Columbia College Chicago is to provide undergraduate students with a comprehensive education in the practices and processes of creating theatre and live performance, within the context of higher learning. Under the leadership of Chairperson John Green, the Theatre Department is offering an innovative series of movement–based training facilitated by guest practitioners who share their skills with students, faculty and staff in a workshop format. Double Edge Theatre follows a successful practicum led by Philip Zarrilli of the Llanarth Group and Michael Brown of The London International School of Performing Arts. These classes offer students and faculty the opportunity to accrue practical and pedagogical skills from those at the forefront of movement-based training and devising. Double Edge Theatre will bring its teaching expertise to Columbia's theatre students in a series of workshops during the company's residency in January, as well as preview performances of THE GRAND PARADE (OF THE TWENTIETH CENTURY).

The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, named "Chicago's Best Dance Theatre" by Chicago magazine and "Best Dance Venue" by the Chicago Reader, is the city's leading presenter of contemporary dance, showcasing artists of regional, national and international significance. Programs of The Dance Center are supported, in part, by the Alphawood Foundation, The Joyce Foundation, The MacArthur Fund for Arts and Culture at Prince, The Richard H. Driehaus Foundation, New England Foundation for the Arts, The Irving Harris Foundation, and the Arts Midwest Touring Fund. Additional funding is provided by the National Endowment for the Arts and the Illinois Arts Council. Special thanks to Athletico, the Official Provider of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy for The Dance Center of Columbia College Chicago, and the Friends of The Dance Center.

The Dance Center's 2012–13 season continues with zoe | juniper (Feb. 14–16), Stephen Petronio Company (March 7–9), The Chicago Moving Company (March 21–23) and Delfos Danza Contemporánea (Apr. 4–6).

Double Edge Theatre performs The Grand Parade (of the Twentieth Century) January 18 and 19, 2013, Friday and Saturday at 8 pm at The Dance Center, 1306 S. Michigan Ave. Single tickets are $30; subscribers who order tickets to three or more performances from the 2012–13 season save 20%. The FamilyDance Matinee takes place Saturday, January 19 at 3 pm, preceded by the free movement workshop with the artists at 2:15 pm. Admission is free for children younger than 12, $15 for adults. All programming is subject to change. The theatre is accessible to people with disabilities. For information, call 312-369-8330 or visit colum.edu/dancecenter.

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