Schimmel Center Presents US Debut of Panta Rei Dance Theatre

Schimmel Center presents the United States debut of Oslo, Norway's Panta Rei Dance Theatre in Lullaby-a thought provoking, contemporary metaphor of current international politics-on Friday, February 23 and Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 7:30 p.m. Set to a live score by Norwegian musician and composer Sverre Indris Joner with choreography by Anne Holck Ekenes, Pia Holden and Hélène Blackburn, Lullaby explores the dynamics of mediation between bickering parties and features three young, dynamic male dancers taking a journey through friendship and rivalry set against the backdrop of melodies inspired by lullabies.

About the Artists
Panta Rei Dance Theatre (PRD) was established in 2000 and is based in Oslo, Norway. The company is known for its fast-paced and colourful dance theatre performances staged in a variety of theatrical and non-theatrical spaces that are accessible to audiences of all ages. In 2016, the company won the prize for the best performance in the performing arts festival in Rokiškis, Lithuania, and in 2017, PRD was nominated for the "Norwegian Audience Development Prize" in two categories.

The company tours nationally and internationally, building long-term relationships with partners and projects with three main areas of focus-production, touring and networking, and the extended performance. Each year, PRD premieres a new production in collaboration with a theatre, venue or festival. The company continues to collaborate with Norwegian institutions, regional theaters, resource centers, and the Cutural Rucksack project, and internationally collaborates with many established partners in England, France, Sweden, Palestine and Tanzania. PRD additionally creates projects for local communities when the company is touring, crafting events and performances that are suited to the local community can watch and also take part in PRD's projects.

Gareth Mole has danced with Panta Rei Dance Theatre since 2016. He holds a BA and MA from London Contemporary Dance School, and is currently also dancing for the Royal Opera House in the UK, Eddie Peake, Kneehigh Theatre Company, Alexander Whitley Dance Company, Peter Darling & Ellen Kane, Yukkio Masu Dance, James Cousins Company, Lynn Page, Cathy Waller Company and Renaud Wiser Company. He has previously danced with a.o. National Dance Company Wales, Kerry Nicholls Dance, and Jonathan Lunn.

Johnny Autin has danced with Panta Rei Dance Theatre since 2014. He holds a Diploma of Choreographic Studies in Contemporary Dance and Ballet from the National Conservatoire of Poitiers, France. He is currently based in Birmingham, UK, where he is artistic director and manager for Autin Dance Theatre. He has worked with companies and choreographers such as 2Faced Dance Company, Darshan Singh Buhler, and Balbir Singh Dance Company

Matias Rønningen has danced with Panta Rei Dance Theatre since 2011. He holds a BA in Classical Ballet from Oslo National Academy of the Arts. Matias is a dancer with the Norwegian National Opera & Ballet. He has also worked with choreographers including Ingun Bjørnsgaard Prosjekt, Heine Avdal & Yukiko Shinozaki, Kari Hoaas and Eivind Seljeseth.

Cellist Emery Cardas was born in Genoa, Italy in 1961. After receiving his diploma at the Conservatory in Naples, Italy, he studied at the Music Academy in Vienna with Tobias Kühne, and at Indiana University in Bloomington with Janos Starker. For many years he played in the Christopher Quartet with his three brothers, coached by Hatto Beyerle, Rostislav Dubinsky, and Leonard Bernstein, among otheres. He has held the principal cello position in Naples (Italy), Barcelona (Spain), Bergen (Norway), and is currently Principal cellist in The Norwegian Radio Orchestra in Oslo. He is an active chamber musician and teacher. His instrument is a Nicola Gagliano, Naples 1769.

Sverre Indris Joner has worked with Panta Rei Dance Theatre as a composer and musician for Lullaby since 2014. He is a Norwegian composer, musician, and former actor, as well as a pioneer within the field of Latin American music in Norway. His musical education is from the University of Oslo and Concervatorio Cervantez in Havanna, Cuba. Sverre started his musical career in 1979, with the afro-reggae band Destiny, and has since founded and played in a number of constellations. He has composed and arranged music for numerous movies, plays and CD recordings.

Event Information

Schimmel Center Presents PANTA REI DANCE THEATRE
Lullaby
Choreography by Anne Holck Ekenes, Pia Holden and Hélène Blackburn
Composed by Sverre Indris Joner
Lighting design by Joakim Brink
Dramaturgy by Kjell Moberg

Friday, February 23, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, February 24, 2018 at 7:30 p.m.

This season's dance series is sponsored by the SHS Foundation.

Lullaby is co-produced by Scenekunst Østfold with support from Nordre Aker Bydel, Oslo, Norway.

The tour is funded by Arts Council Norway, the Fund for Performing Artists, Performing Arts Hub Norway, Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Norwegian Consulate General New York.

Tickets are available at www.schimmelcenter.org, by calling 212-346-1715 or by visiting the box office located at 3 Spruce Street. Through February 16th, the Schimmel Center box office is open Monday through Friday from Noon to 5:00 p.m. Beginning February 20th, the Schimmel Center box office is open Tuesday through Saturday fromNoon to 5:00 p.m. and three hours prior to performances.

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