Interview: Director John Farmanesh-Bocca On His Vision For PICNIC By William Inge
John Farmanesh-Bocca is a multi-award-winning physical theatre director, the Founding Artistic Director of both Not Man Apart - Physical Theatre Ensemble (2005-2015) and Shakespeare Santa Monica (2003-2014). Now he has shifted gears to go on a search for America by directing the sensual, passionate, and delightfully funny Pulitzer Prize winning play Picnic by William Inge, with his version featuring an entirely Black American cast. I decided to speak with him about his vision for presenting the quintessentially American play and the unique challenges faced while shifting gears from physical movement to character development.
Weston Art Gallery Reopens Tomorrow With Three New Exhibitions
The Cincinnati Arts Association's Alice F. and Harris K. Weston Art Gallery in the Aronoff Center for the Arts is pleased to announce that it will reopen on Saturday, January 30 with three new exhibitions linked by social, political, and historical investigations.
Meet the Cast of INK- Now in Previews!
MTC's INK begins previews tonight, April 2 prior to a Wednesday, April 24 opening night at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre (261 West 47th Street). Get to know the cast below as they begin Broadway performances!
Chicago Human Rhythm Project Presents The 28th Annual RHYTHM WORLD
Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP), presents the 28th annual summer festival of American tap and percussive dance, Rhythm World, featuring three generations of foot drummers including tap masters Dianne 'Lady Di' Walker and Sam Weber, STOMP cast members, many of Chicago's finest including, Star Dixon and Martin 'Tre' Dumas, and CHRP's Artist in Residence, Dani Borak leading Stone Soup Rhythms. Intensive educational programs will be offered in the Fine Arts Building and the American Rhythm Center, July 16-22. Performances take place July16-18, at the Jazz Showcase, Curtis Hall and the Polk Bros Performance Lawns at Navy Pier, with culminating concerts, JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance, on July 20 and 21, at the Studebaker Theater featuring a host of virtuoso soloists and ensembles showcasing a mix of audience favorites and world premieres.
CHRP Alumni Take Tap Skills to Drury Lane's 42ND STREET
For 28 years, Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) has exposed young participants and scholarship students to the teaching and experience of masters in the field like Savion Glover, Jimmy Slyde, Dianne 'Lady Di' Walker and more. CHRP alumni include many of the world's leading tap dance performers, choreographers and directors - making their mark around the world and Chicago.
ARC to Kick Off Fall 2017 with 'All For ONE' Open House Week
The American Rhythm Center (ARC), Chicago's shared education, rehearsal and special-event facility for dance and theatre arts, kicks off the fall season with 'All For ONE,' a week of $1 classes September 5-11 in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 300, Chicago.
ARC to Kick Off Fall 2017 with 'All For ONE' Open House Week
The American Rhythm Center (ARC), Chicago's shared education, rehearsal and special-event facility for dance and theatre arts, kicks off the fall season with 'All For ONE,' a week of $1 classes September 5-11 in the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Suite 300, Chicago.
Chicago Human Rhythm Project Raises $175,000 at Jubalee
The Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) hosted its Jubalee Gala July 21 at the Fine Arts Building, 410 S. Michigan Ave., Chicago, which included honoring The Chicago Community Trust and its President and CEO Terry Mazany with the JUBA! Award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Cultural Community in Chicago. Past JUBA! Award recipient, the Honorable Mayor Rahm Emanuel, served as Honorary Chair. With nearly 600 people in attendance, CHRP raised $175,000, including a $75,000 leadership gift from guests Philip and Marsha Dowd, from a combination of ticket sales, sponsorships, contributions and a raffle. Following a preshow reception in CHRP's American Rhythm Center, guests gathered in the packed Studebaker Theater for the presentation of the JUBA! Award and the JUBA! Masters of Tap and Percussive Dance performance that highlighted CHRP's 27th annual Rhythm World summer festival. The concert featured Chicago Human Rhythm Project performing a world premiere by Artist In Residence Dani Borak and three classics by African-American choreographers Buster Brown, Lon Chaney and Harold 'Stumpy' Cromer; STOMP alumna and Broadway hoofer (Shuffle Along) Lisa LaTouche performing her masterpiece Love Me or Leave Me with Tre Dumas and Nico Rubio; STOMP cast members Ali Bradley and Jeremy Price; North Carolina Youth Tap Ensemble; solo performances by Lee Howard and Jumaane Taylor; a trio performance by Star Dixon, Donnetta Jackson and Imania Fatima Detry; scholarship students from Tokyo directed by Yukiko Misumi; and more. A VIP champagne reception onstage with the artists followed the performance.
DANCE FOR LIFE Chicago 2017 Takes Place 8/19
The 26th annual Dance for Life Chicago will exemplify Chicago's versatile and virtuoso dance community with the eight companies that are performing August 19 at the Auditorium Theatre of Roosevelt University. Chicago Dancers United (CDU), which mobilizes Chicago's dance community by raising funds through dance, presents this annual benefit performance, which is preceded by a gala reception at the Hilton Chicago.
Chicago Human Rhythm Project Bring STOMPING GROUNDS to Taste of Chicago
Under the auspices of Mark Kelly, Commissioner of Chicago's Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, Chicago Human Rhythm Project and Founder and Director Lane Alexander are bringing CHRP's program STOMPING GROUNDS to the city's largest food festival so Chicagoans can enjoy rhythms, beats and grooves from Chicago's diverse neighborhoods in in the center of the city on July 5-9, 12 noon to 4 p.m.
Chicago Human Rhythm Project Welcomes Artist In Residence Dani Borak
Chicago Human Rhythm Project (CHRP) has announced that world-renowned performer, choreographer and teacher Daniel 'Dani' Borak is its Artist In Residence (A.I.R.). Borak's three-year residency will be longer and more expansive in scope than previous CHRP artist residencies, with his responsibilities encompassing not only performing, teaching and choreographing but also artistic planning for multiple programs, beginning this spring.