• Home
  • About
    • Accessibility
    • Monkeyhouse Board
  • Who's Who
  • Upcoming Events
  • Programs
    • Discounts
    • aMaSSiT >
      • aMaSSiT 2023
    • NACHMO Boston
  • Contact Us
  • C2C Blog
  • Donate
    • Fiscal Sponsorships
  MONKEYHOUSE

C2C Blog

Getting to Know Alexander Davis - ChoreoFest Interviews

6/12/2019

0 Comments

 
Person stands in black Arms rest on hips, staring out Wearing silver shirt
Photo by Mickey West
Here's the final interview with the ChoreoFest choreographers.  (Although you might just hear from some of the other voices within the festival soon!)  Introducing, Alexander Davis!
Get your tickets to see Alex and all of the ChoreoFest artists at Ignite at Green Street on June 23rd!
Word
Buy Tickets

Nicole Harris: You talk a lot about tying fiber arts into your work as a choreographer.  Can you talk about places where those two worlds have intertwined in your work? What draws you to those two art forms?
Alexander Davis: Fiber is a very empathetic medium. There are lots of shared, tactical experiences with fiber and textiles. When one sees fiber in a heightened artistic context, it is easier to have a physical, empathetic response to it. For this reason I have always believed that dance and fiber are connected. I have created fiber works that are simply wall hangings, or installation experiences, but I have also create knit costumes and performance environments. Everything is related.
Dancer stands on stage Legs crossed, arms out, purple light People sit behind
Photo by Olivia Blaisdell
N: You are the director of Urbanity Dance’s Summer Choreography Intensive Program.  Can you tell me a little about the program? What makes that particular program unique?
AD: Urbanity's Summer Choreography Intensive program is a highly curated, one-week intensive focusing on creating a platform for helping emerging artists continue to develop their voices as makers. The cohort of artists work and support each other throughout the week. They create work across community spaces in Boston's South End, and it culminates in an informal showing. I believe what makes this program unique is the individualized attention and mentorship that each student receives during their time. I (along with a group of guest artists) take the time to first identify each individuals goals as a dance maker before then helping them gain the skills and experience to achieve growth within towards those goals.
Photo by Celso Enrique
N: You will be working in one of the site specific locations at this year’s ChoreoFest.  Where will you be working and what made you choose that spot?
AD: I enjoy adapting my work for specific spaces. In this case I was attracted to the nook between studios 1 and 2 as a challenge to explore entrance and exits. The nook is framed by two door ways. I am looking to use this time to research entrances, exits, beginnings, and endings in order to inform future, evening length works that are currently in process with my collaborator Joy Davis. 

​
N: What are you most nervous about for ChoreoFest?

AD: I am most nervous about being exhausted. I usually go to bed around 11:00pm and wake up around 7:00am. I am anxious about staying up all night, and how that will affect the following few days and the work I have to get done in those days.
Photo by Sarah Bilotta Belclaire
N: Who are your mentors, past and present?
AD: It takes a village, and I am endlessly grateful to all of the folks who have supported me and continue to support me along my journey. I would say my collaborators are my primary mentors; Joy Davis, Jenna Pollack, Harrison Burke, Eric Mullis and beyond. Peter DiMuro. Monica Bill Barnes. William Seigh. Too many to count and name. Thank you to all.
Photo by Celso Enrique
N: Where else can we find you this Spring/Summer?
AD: I will be performing at Gibney Dance in NYC with Peter DiMuro/Public Displays of Motion June 13-15th. This summer I am focusing on my own dance training by participating in One Body One Career at Springboard in Montreal. This is a two week Counter Technique intensive in July. In August I will be directing Urbanity's Choreography Intensive and preparing for the upcoming semester at Endicott College, where I am on faculty in the Visual and Performing Arts Department.
Photo by Celso Enrique
N: What other local companies/ choreographers do you recommend people check out?  Why?
AD: Boston has a dynamic and growing dance community. Joy Davis is my dear friend and collaborator (together we are The Davis Sisters), who is developing beautiful and thoughtful work. I am a huge fan of Heather Stewart. Her recent premier of "against hard air" at the Boston Center for the Arts was unbelievable.

6 squares, 5 are headshots, one says 24 Hour Choreofest
0 Comments

Getting to Know Colleen Walsh - ChoreoFest Interviews

6/8/2019

0 Comments

 
by Nicole Harris
Reaching toward the sky Head and shoulder on the floor Woman on tiptoes
Photo by Bradley Rhoton
ChoreoFest is less than two weeks away!  We are so excited to get into the studio with all of these artists!  Meet Colleen Walsh!
Silhouette of dancers and text: Ignite
Buy Tickets
Get your tickets to see Colleen and the rest of the artists at Ignite on June 23rd!

Nicole Harris:  You began your relationship with movement as a competitive gymnast.  How does that experience inform your choreography today? In what ways are the two worlds similar?  Different?
Colleen Walsh:  
In my very young years I actually danced before my career as a competitive gymnast, but as gymnastics became more serious, I stopped dancing and didn’t return to it until college when my time as a gymnast came to an end. Although looking back, as a gymnast I choreographed my own floor and beam routines, so even during that time there were signs that dance would play a part in my future...


My time as a gymnast influenced the person I am in so many ways- and does continue to influence my choreography today. It taught me a lot about dedication during times of trial, overcoming obstacles, respect, and consistency- all of which we know to be required skills of a choreographer. My work also tends to be quite athletic, rooted in my love for pushing boundaries with gravity and being upside down.


Certainly there are some differences between ‘the two worlds’ of gymnastics and dance, but I see them as more similar than they are different. Both are communities of deeply passionate and dedicated individuals who love to move. As I became more involved in the dance community, I used to be embarrassed to admit that I didn’t study dance for hours in the studio during my childhood and teen years. I felt like without that, my place in this community wasn’t validated. But, I did spend hours in the gym during those years. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve come to appreciate that there’s a lot of different ways to do something right- there’s a lot of different ways to get to where you want to go- and no way of getting there makes your journey any less valid.


Photo by Doug West
N:  Who are the dancers you’ll be working with as part of ChoreoFest?
CW:  I’m actually still finalizing this based on availability and unfortunately a few dancers I work with dealing with injuries. I’m very interested in continuing to develop both solo work and group work- so no matter how things end up, I’m thrilled for this experience...I’m trusting it will work out exactly how it needs to best serving this experience. If I move forward working with dancers, I’ll be sharing who they are and how amazing they are on my social- so keep an eye out!

N:  What are you most nervous about for ChoreoFest?
CW:  My choreographic process tends to spend a lot of time in the ‘gathering inspiration’ or research phase, and I’m truly trying to not think much about what I’ll create until I walk in the door on June 21st, to really embrace the purpose of this festival, so that has me a bit outside of my element right now. 
Wearing all black clothes Woman stands downstage center Lights make squares on ground
Photo by Doug West
N:  Who are your mentors, past and present?
CW:  I feel really lucky to have had such tremendous mentors in so many different areas of my life. I’d love to give a shoutout to Duane Lee Holland, Jeanine McCain, Pam Pietro and T Lang who have each had a profound impact on me as a dancer and choreographer, teaching me along my journey a little bit more about the artist and human I want to be. 

I’m overwhelmed with gratitude when I think about the many beautiful people who have cheered me on, supported me, picked me back up, and loved me along the way. 

N:  What do you most value in a mentor?
CW:  A big open heart and honesty. 

N:  What other local companies/ choreographers do you recommend people check out?
CW:  This Boston dance community is the dang best. I’m lucky to come into contact with a lot of truly beautiful artists and companies and to have the opportunity to talk with them and watch them share their souls. Get out to festivals, classes, workshops, and performances this summer and support local artists!

A few people whose work, teaching, dedication, guts, service to the community, and artistry have been inspiring to me recently:

J Michael Winward
Jean Appolon
Kristin Wagner’s That’s What She Said 
Michael Figueroa
Aysha Upchurch
Ali Kenner Brodsky
Peter DiMuro/Public Displays of Motion​

...and truly so many more...
...and the people I get to stand alongside during this ChoreoFest...come on! Amazing!!
In a black tank top Woman with red hair in plank Smiles at cameraPicture
N:  Where else can we find you this Spring/Summer?
CW:  You can find me teaching at The Dance Complex’s Summer Sizzle Dance Festival, on a regular basis at Shanti Yoga in Hopkinton, and getting my butt into the studio a lot. A few years ago I lost a lot, and to be honest choreographing and performing has felt a lot like ripping off a bandaid since then...but it’s time to get ripping. ​

Collage of 6 squares. Five are headshots and the bottom center is the 24 Hour Choreofest Logo
0 Comments

Getting to Know Kelsey Saulnier - ChoreoFest Interviews

6/3/2019

0 Comments

 
By Nicole Harris
Woman on white floor Fingertips touch floor, elbows Bent, looks at shadowPicture
Welcome to be Here - PC: Derek Fowles
Introducing our next ChoreoFest choreographer, Kelsey Saulnier!  She will be working in one of the site specific locations at Green Street during the festival.
Silhouette of person, two arms from side, and seven hands making shapes. Red text says
Don't miss Kelsey and all of the ChoreoFest artists at Ignite on June 23rd!  Get your tickets today!
BUy tickets

Nicole Harris: Your work incorporates both choreographed movement and improvisational scores.  How do you weave those two things together within the same work? What sorts of improvisation scores are most interesting to you?  How have you developed an idea from simple improvisation to a repeatable score?
Kelsey Saulnier: I like to think of improvisation and set material as not so different, and this helps to weave these two ideas together and transition in and out of them within the same work. Improvisation is simply about in the moment choice making, and because of this there is always some degree of improvisation in all that we do. Even in set material, we are not necessarily choosing to come up with new movement, but we are constantly choosing how we embody what is already there; we are choosing how to make it come alive… how to make it more profound than just a shape; or how not to.

I am most interested in improvisational scores that stem from a more visceral place… scores that provoke movement from the inside out. It is one thing to put on a piece of sound and simply improvise to it, but this sort of feels like a wash for me. I do not know where the movement is coming from or why, and although this is a valid way of working it does not sit right with my dancing body. Which is sometimes okay, but not ideal. Scores that deal with an imagined density or resistance, a cooking of the organs, a spreading of skin or imagined imprinting of the air. Scores like this really allow me to work without the notion that my movement has too look a certain way, and dance from a place of true investigation.

I like to video myself improvising sometimes, then relearn only the best bits and string them together into a more repeatable phrase. Improvisational scores are also wonderful choreographic tools. For example, I can propose a score that deals with attempting to move exclusively from your most inner bone marrow, and instead of improvising with it, create set movements that embody this task and string them together into phrasework.

PicturePerson in all black Hands say
of Her - PC: Peter Raper
N:  What are you most nervous about for ChoreoFest?
KS:  I feel most nervous about being invested in a particular artistic process for twelve hours straight. I enjoy creating work in pieces because it allows me to step outside of it for a bit and get some perspective on what the heck I just made. This is especially helpful with solo work. I can revisit it later with fresh eyes. Being IN a work for this extended amount of time feels frightening but also like a totally exciting challenge. I am interested in how far I will fall into it.
Dancer on black stage Looks over shoulder at floor Grabs at her tan dress
Small Memory - PC: Stacey Hazen
N:  Who are your mentors, past and present?
KS:  Two movers/mentors that have been super important in my development as an artist are Chris Aiken and Leslie Frye-Maietta. They’re two very special humans in the Five Colleges that taught me during my time in undergrad and really helped me find my voice as an improviser. Chris teaches at Smith College and is a master at improvisation both in contact and composition. I have worked closely with him over the years in both class and rehearsal settings and he has supported me endlessly. Leslie really opened my eyes to what else dance and movement could be artistically when I first arrived at college. She is an amazingly thoughtful choreographer and really great at pulling heart and soul out of everyone she works with. I’ve danced for her in many of her works over the past four years and her rehearsal process has always been super transformative for me. 
Black and white photo Dancer on stage, looks at foot Off the ground and back
Welcome to be Here - PC: Derek Fowles
N:  Where else can we find you this Spring/Summer?
KS:  This summer is filled with lots of dance, work, and travel, which is so wonderful. I am showing a newish-solo around NYC throughout June. I’ll also be spending some time in Vienna during July/August dancing/studying at ImPulsTanz. I have had my eye on this festival for years and feel so grateful and excited that it was able to work out this summer. Other than that, I work as a nanny and a dog walker (the hustle is real). So, you might find me out walking some pooches. 
White woman leaping Arms extended front and back Two people watchingPicture
Welcome to be Here - PC: Derek Fowles
N:  What other local companies/ choreographers do you recommend people check out?  Why?
KS:  Jenna Pollock is a thoughtful and fiery choreographer who is doing wonderfully progressive things in the Boston area. She emphasizes the importance of improvisation and works to create thought provoking dance. I recommend checking her out if you haven’t. Also, David Dorfman Dance Company. They are not exactly local to Boston, but they often hold rehearsals and intensives in Connecticut as well as NYC. Their work is humorous, quirky, abstract, athletic, and truly joyful. They are a company of kind and caring individuals who everyone should really check out.
0 Comments

Getting to Know Nick Daniels - ChoreoFest Interviews

6/3/2019

0 Comments

 
by Nicole Harris
Man with dark skin looks Up, fingertips touch his face His beard flecked with grey
by Curtis Reaves
Introducing another 24hr ChoreoFest artist, Nick Daniels!  He is coming to us from Pittsburgh.  We are thrilled to have him in the studios with us at Green Street in a couple of weeks!
Silhouette of person and seven hands making shapes. Text: ignite
This year the ChoreoFest artists will show their work at Ignite, Luminarium's gala event on Sunday, June 23rd.  Don't miss this opportunity to see new work and support a whole range of choreographers!
Buy Tickets

Nicole Harris: You recently returned to choreographing after quite a few years.  What has been different in this “second chance”?  What are you most excited about doing with your work at this stage in your career?
Nick Daniels:  
When I left the dance world in 1994, the internet was a new thing.  I’m most excited to take advantage of technology advancements. Also, during my hiatus I lost both my parents at separate times. Through that loss I found strength and knew I had to come back to honor them.


Four dancers on stage, Sheer black fabric flowing out Amid sea green screen
Photo by Nick M Daniels
N: You recently resurrected Pittsburgh Dance Week.  Can you tell me a bit about what that is and why it was important to you to bring it back?
ND: When I returned, things in Pittsburgh’s community were very different.  I asked my dancers about Pittsburgh Dance week, but they weren’t aware it was even a thing.  At that point I knew I had to reinstate the tradition of having a week of classes, discussions, showcases and performances to showcase how very diverse and talented my hometown is.
Four dancers on stage In black and animal masks Arms thrown out to side.
Photo by Nick M Daniels
N: Where else can we find you this Spring/Summer?
ND: This summer I will be performing in Dancing Queerly here in Boston at the Dance Complex, then more work in festivals, teaching and developing new work for our next season.
Dancer on a stage Knees bent, back arched, bent arms out Wearing all black clothes
Photo by Nick M Daniels
N: What other local companies/ choreographers do you recommend people check out?  Why?
ND: Companies to look out for... In Pittsburgh, SlowDanger.  In Boston, I love Peter DiMuro’s work. There’s an honesty that I am drawn to with both groups.

6 squares, 5 have headshots, one reads 24 Hour ChoreoFest
0 Comments

Happy June Birthdays!

6/1/2019

0 Comments

 
Picture
Happy birthday to everyone who celebrates in June!  Monkeyhouse Loves you!

Pat Krolak, Rita Krolak, Mary Sousa,
Hjordis Blanford, Laila Fatimi, 
Arie Steiner Hockman, Fred Kelly,
Lucie Baker, Xander Weinman,
Jim Peerless, Henry LeTang, Bob Fosse,
Terri Beaton, Harold Cromer,
Sean Cummings, Rosie Steinberg,
Nikki Felix, Shari Kaplan, Caleb Howe, 
Tom Christian, Elizabeth Krolak, 
Micheline Heal, Patrick Flynn, 
Melissa Dollman, Tyler Cantanella,  
Paula Abdul, and Martha Clarke  ​

Be sure to check out the links above to learn more about some of these amazing people!
Want to be featured here?  Let us know when your birthday is!
0 Comments
    Created with Tagul.com

    Categories

    All
    [82]
    Abigail Ripin
    Acro
    Adelphi University
    Advice
    Aftab Dance Group
    Aisha Cruse
    Alexander Davis
    Alexandra Nunweiler
    Alexandria Nunweiler
    Alexa Romancewicz
    Alive Dance Collective
    Amanda Whitworth
    AMaSSiT
    Amy Foley
    Anne Goldberg Baldwin
    Anne Goldberg-Baldwin
    April
    Artweek Boston
    August
    B-A-R Dance
    Bar Harbor
    Betsi Graves
    Bharatanatyam
    Birthdays
    Books
    Boston
    Boston Community Dance Project
    Boston Dance
    Boxing
    Brenna Banister
    Brett Bell
    Bridges Dance Theatre
    Broadway
    Caitlin Canty
    Caleb Howe
    Carli DiMeo
    Carmen Rizzo
    Cassandre Charles
    Cayley Dorr
    ChoreoFest
    Choreographer
    Choreography
    Choreography Mentorship
    Choreograpy
    Christopher Croucher
    Claire-Solene Becka
    Clayton Raithel
    Cnc Little Library
    Collaboration
    Collective Moments
    Colleen Walsh
    College Of The Atlantic
    Community
    Connections Dance Theater
    Connexa
    CoolNY
    Dance Complex
    Dance Film
    Daniel Foner
    Dani Robbins
    David Makransky
    David Parker
    Deepa Srinath
    Derick K. Grant
    Design
    Dictionary Of Negative Space
    DrumatiX
    Elizabeth Powers
    Ellice Patterson
    Elyssa Berg
    Emma Morris
    Empower One Another
    Endicott College
    Erica Nelson
    Erin McNulty
    Erin Saunders
    Eva Yaa Asantewaa
    Events
    Evolve Dynamicz
    Faneuil Hall
    Felipe Galganni
    Firk II
    Fleur D'Orange
    Geetika Bajpai
    #geochoreography
    #getcaughtreading
    Gracie Baruzzi
    Gracie Novikoff
    Grant Jacoby
    Green Street Studios
    Guest Artists
    Gwen McGovern
    Hannah Ranco
    Heather Brown
    Hip Hop
    Holiday
    Ice Skating
    #IfNotYouWho
    Illumination
    Impact Dance Company
    Improvisation
    Impulse Dance Center
    Interns
    Interview
    Jackie Bowden
    Jason Ries
    Jennifer Binversie
    Jennifer Crowell Kuhnberg
    Jennifer Crowell-Kuhnberg
    Jenny Oliver
    Jessica Prince
    Jessica Roseman
    Jordan Rosin
    Josh Bergasse
    Jo Troll
    July
    June
    Kaleidoscope Dance
    Karen Krolak
    Katrina Conte
    Kaylee Mahan
    Kaylee Mayan
    Kelley Donovan
    Kelsey Griffith
    Kelsey Saulnier
    Kim Holman
    Kinetic Synergy Dance Company
    Kristin Wagner
    Lacey Sasso
    Laura Neese
    Libby Bullinger
    Lisa Giancola
    Lisa La Touche
    Local Dance
    Luminarium Dance
    Lynn Modell
    Madison Florence
    Malden Dance
    Malden Dance Mile
    March
    Margaret Wiss
    Marissa Chura
    May
    ME
    Mentoring
    Mentors
    Michela Doherty
    Michelle Boilard
    Mohiniyattam
    Musing
    NACHMO
    NACHMO 2022
    NACHMO 2023
    NACHMO Boston
    NACHMO Recommends
    Natalie Schiera
    Nick Daniels
    Nicole Harris
    Nicole Laliberte
    Nicole Zizzi
    November
    Now + There
    Nozama Dance
    NSquared Dance
    Olivia Scharff
    OnStage Dance Company
    OnStage Summer Performance Series
    Paradise Moves
    Pearl Young
    Portuguese
    Priya Bangal
    Program
    Public Art
    Que Unlimited
    Rachel Roccoberton
    ReAct ReBuild ReCollect
    Repost
    Ricochet
    Roger Williams University
    Ruth Benson Levin
    Sam Mullen
    Sapna Govindan
    Sarah Craver
    Sarah Feinberg
    Sarah Friswell Cotton
    Sarah Grace
    Sarah Ready
    Scott McPheeters
    Skooj
    Soufiane Karim
    Soumya Rajaran
    Spring Fling Fundraiser
    Tap Dance
    Teresa Dominick
    Tess Liddy
    ...that's What She Said
    The Dance Complex
    The End Ensemble
    The Ume Group
    Tova Teperow
    Translation
    Turning Key Dance Company
    Tyler Catanella
    Uplift
    Vault Grant
    Vault Program
    Virginia Commonwealth University
    Voetstoots
    Zackery Betty Neagle

    Missed an older post?  Find it here!

    Archives

    June 2025
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    August 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.
  • Home
  • About
    • Accessibility
    • Monkeyhouse Board
  • Who's Who
  • Upcoming Events
  • Programs
    • Discounts
    • aMaSSiT >
      • aMaSSiT 2023
    • NACHMO Boston
  • Contact Us
  • C2C Blog
  • Donate
    • Fiscal Sponsorships