• 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 Amy Foley/OnStage Dance Company - NACHMO Boston Interviews

1/26/2021

0 Comments

 
By Nicole Harris
Backdrop of green treesWhite woman dancing while maskedAnd wearing all black
Photo by Andres Calderon of Fama Films for OnStage Dance Company (c) 2020
I am so grateful to OnStage Dance Company for many many things. One of the big ones is that they introduced me to Amy Foley. I was thrilled when I found out that we would be able to work with her again (Amy was one of the 24hr ChoreoFest choreographers in May!) during NACHMO this year!

Learn more about Amy and NACHMO and play along with the #MonkeyhouseNACHMOChallenge by following us on Instagram!


N: You have done many virtual performances in the last year, between 24hr ChoreoFest and OnStage’s most recent season. What are the joys you are finding in this format that you wouldn’t get in live performance?
AF:
For 24 hour ChoreoFest, I found joy in creating a duet that could never be performed in a conventional theater. In this duet, I was projected onto a screen in the room where my collaborator was dancing in, allowing us to look like we were in the same place, while we were miles away. The duet that I created was inspired by the ending of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials, a story that I wouldn’t have been able to approach if not for the virtual format.

For OnStage’s Season 19, it was inspiring to be able to dance in nature at the Fruitlands Museum in Harvard, MA. While it took a couple of rehearsals to learn how to dance on grass, I have never performed in a more beautiful space than that!
Six women in whiteFour working to lift the fifthOne holding a foot
Photo by Olivia Moon Photography
N: This year’s NACHMO is different than anything we’ve done in the past, with all events entirely virtual. How will you change your process to deal with the obstacles 2021 brings us? What is the first thing you did at the start of the month?
AF:
My goal for NACHMO is to embrace the fact that we are all dancing in our homes. Because of that, I started this month with playing around with dancing on my bed and other places of my house. It took a little bit of time to understand how to work in a narrow hallway or a bouncy bed, but these experiences certainly opened up the movement vocabulary of my piece.

​N: A lot happens in a short amount of time during NACHMO. What are you most excited about in this process? What are you most nervous about?

AF:
Virtually everything I’ve created prior to the pandemic has been for live performance at a traditional theater, so creating dance for film is both exciting and nerve wracking because so much of the process is new to me. I am lucky to have amazing collaborators for NACHMO who have helpful feedback and experience with video editing.
Many people sitChairs facing opposite waysHands next to their ears
Photo by Mickey West for OnStage Dance Company (c) 2020

​N: Who are your mentors? What makes those relationships special to you? What are you doing to pay forward the gifts they have given you?

AF:
Larissa Ursprung is my constant sounding board and mentor. She’s usually the first person I run my dance ideas by and sometimes, like for 24 hour ChoreoFest, I get to collaborate with her!

​Being a member of OnStage has also provided a community of dancers who mentor each other. The OnStage choreographers often provide feedback and help each other think through their pieces.

N: It is important to us that we continue to lift up other artists in our community. Who are some of your favorite Boston area choreographers? Why?
AF:
Wendy O’Byrne of Contemporarily Out of Order is among my favorite Boston area choreographers. I find her way of incorporating a story into her choreography compelling.
Natalia Maldari is another one of my favorite Boston area choreographers. I appreciate how she juxtaposes traditional ballet vocabulary with novel movement.
NACHMO Boston, MA
0 Comments

Getting to Know OnStage Dance Company - Empower One Another Interviews

4/11/2019

0 Comments

 
Dancer in all black Foot in front, looks at back hand By stained glass windows
Photo by Kathryn Swayze Photography
Empower One Another was a collaboration between Nozama Dance Collective and OnStage Dance Company.  Here are a few thoughts from Jennifer Crowell-Kuhnberg of OnStage!

Nicole Harris: Collaboration can be rewarding and difficult. What is one great moment and one challenge you’ve faced during this process?
Jennifer Crowell-Kuhnberg: 
My collaboration with Erica Nelson was very rewarding and ran very smoothly. We worked so well together and I felt like we were able to mesh our ideas and styles quite well. I think we each contributed equally to the piece but also felt comfortable to suggest adjustments. Our dancers were also phenomenal in generating movement phrases and improv based on our prompts and allowing us to cherry pick our favorite pieces. 
Photo by Kathryn Swayze Photography
N: In addition to collaborating in the studio you have been collaborating with Nozama on this entire project.  What is something you’ve learned through this experience?
JCK: I have gotten to know Gracie Novikoff so well in the last few months and it’s been a joy to, not only work together on producing this show, but also to build a friendship. We have very similar sensibilities and goals when it comes to our respective companies and it’s been great to learn, share and reflect with her on both our mutual and varied experiences as dance company directors. That Director role can feel isolating sometimes so it was helpful for me to connect with her in that way. 
Dancer in short dress  Looks to side, arms overhead On stage with large group
Photo by Kathryn Swayze Photography
N: Why was it important to you for OnStage to be part of this project?
JCK: It’s my continuing goal to have OnStage be an open space for emerging dance makers and a safe space for experimentation. When Gracie came to me with this idea, I saw it as a perfect opportunity to provide those much needed resources and help support her goal of collaboration for this project. 
I think more companies and choreographers should be seeking out ways to collaborate or support each other. 
Since moving my company to Malden, I’ve also been on a mission to bring more dance artists into this city and hopefully get my local community more involved and more exposed to this type of performance art!
Picture
N: Where else can we find you this Spring/Summer?
JCK: We have so many exciting upcoming projects:

Malden Dance Mile OnStage is collaborating with Monkeyhouse to produce the first-ever outdoor dance and movement festival to Malden. Find us on the Malden Community Trail on Saturday, April 27 from 12-3pm for performances, choreography games, dance class demos and more, featuring tons of local performers!

Later that evening, OnStage will be performing at the West Medford Open Studios event at 4pm at 400 High Street in Medford!

I will be showing work at the AS220 Modern Movement Festival in Providence, Rhode Island on April 25 and 27.

OnStage Dance Company’s Season Seventeen Performance will be held at the BU Dance Theater on June 15!

And I am currently auditioning dancers for a reboot of a special project called “What Is Love?” which will debut in July at OnStage!
Picture
N: What other local companies/ choreographers do you recommend people check out?  Why?
JCK: Obviously I want to encourage everyone to check out the other performers in this series and support the other projects they have going on!

Nozama Dance Collective
Lacey Sasso & Co

Kaleidoscope Dance Company
The End Dance Ensemble
Cayley Dorr
Picture
Get your tickets to 
Empower One Another today!
0 Comments

Empower One Another Interviews - Nozama Dance Collective

4/6/2019

0 Comments

 
Collage of dance images. Text: Nozama Dance Collective and OnStage Dance Company present Empower One Another a collaborative performance series
One of my favorite things about my job is that amazing people like Gracie (Nozama) and Jen (OnStage) reach out to me when they have exciting projects like Empower One Another and ask me to interview the artists and host their post show conversations! 

Get your tickets to see six female run dance companies/choreographers on April 13th.  You can catch the matinee, check out the Spork (post show conversation) with yours truly and then head over to the Dance Complex just in time to see karen Krolak's I-ARE Residency Showcase in the evening!  It's a perfect day of dance!  But first, check out this fabulous interview with Gracie Novikoff about Nozama's role in this show and her experiences in collaboration!  (More show at ticket info at the bottom of this post!)

Nicole Harris: Collaboration can be rewarding and difficult. What is one great moment and one challenge you’ve faced during this process?
Gracie Novikoff:
When Jen (of OnStage Dance Company) and I were coming up with the concept for “Empower One Another”, we were primarily driven by the idea of bringing Boston dance companies and independent choreographers together. We wanted to not only promote collaboration, but support for one another and to build a network in which directors can share the highs and lows of managing a company in Boston. With that, the overwhelming reward of “Empower One Another” has been to see six companies share their visions, talents, and experiences to work together and create beautiful new art. I am also thrilled to see the companies creating works under the themes of female empowerment, as this is what drives my company Nozama Dance Collective’s entire mission. At the same time, working with others can be tricky when you all have strong, powerful ideas that are worthy of being shared. With our partner company, Kaleidoscope Dance Company, they are also directed by not one but two incredible women. Along with my co-director Natalie, that makes four collaborative partners with bold ideas. Finding space and time for all four of us to be heard in this process has been tricky, especially when even the co-directors disagree with one another! But overall, that challenge has made me even more proud of this process.
N: ​In addition to collaborating in the studio you have been collaborating with OnStage on this entire project.  What is something you’ve learned through this experience?
GN:
Working with Jen from OnStage Dance has been a gift. She is not only an experienced instructor and choreographer, but studio owner. She also single-handedly runs a 60 person company, which is a phenomenal feat. Jen juggles all of her tasks and jobs so seamlessly, and I have learned an incredible amount from her. She has taught me about prioritization, time management, and how to push beyond one’s limits. Our partnership materialized into “Empower One Another”, which is such a dream and accomplishment to me. I cannot wait to see what else our partnership creates!
N: ​Where did the idea for this concert come from?
GN:
Unfortunately in the Boston dance community, there is not nearly as much support between companies as we would like to see. Companies do not often attend one another’s shows, or take one another’s classes. Companies are insular, and do not often collaborate or help one another with things such as fundraising or networking. Jen and I wanted to tackle that, and bring companies together to collaborate and share one another’s gifts and creative visions. At the same time, we wanted to help form a network between Boston dance company directors and choreographers. Managing a company is hard work, and doing it without any support is nearly impossible! Having the six company directors meet for a Round Table Discussion about how we all tackle the challenges of managing companies was a massive priority for Jen and I. The “Empower One Another” performance is the exciting culmination of this collaboration, but we know that the partnerships will last beyond the show as directors continue to lean on one another for support.
N: ​Where else can we find you this Spring/Summer?
GN:
Nozama Dance Collective has a lot of exciting things coming up! We are launching our Spring Company Class Series, in which we will teach master classes at Green Street Studios on 3/18, 4/19, 5/6, and 5/20. Additionally, we have our annual concert “Uplift” at Green Street Studios on August 9th and 10th. We are also looking forward to performing in a few festivals and concerts around Boston, so keep an eye out for us!
Text: #IfNotYouWho Supporting the Dance Community
​N: What other local companies or choreographers do you recommend people check out?  Why?
GN:
SO many! It is so hard to pick just a handful. The Boston dance community is filled with incredible talent, visions, and creativity. Personally, I am drawn to choreographers who tell poignant, empowering stories about the female experience through their work. Putting the other artists of “Empower One Another” aside, I am forever drawn to Colleen Roddy’s choreography. I am also inspired by the work of Luminarium Dance, particularly because that is another company managed by two incredible women who collaborate together so well. But honestly, if you have a free night, just check out the Dance Complex or Green Street Studios and check out whatever is happening! There is no bad dance experience out there. Support other artists! They will support you back!
Get your tickets to
Empower One Another today!
0 Comments

Getting to Know Jennifer Crowell-Kuhnberg

3/16/2019

0 Comments

 
Dancer in all black Foot in front, looks at back hand By stained glass windows
Photo by Kathryn Swayze Photography

Nicole Harris: ​What is the work you'll be performing at re{ACT} re{BUILD} re{COLLECT}?
Jennifer Crowell-Kuhnberg: 
I'll be presenting excerpts from "Selichot."  The piece explores themes of wrong doing, repentance and forgiveness.  Selichot ("s'lichot" in Hebrew meaning "forgiveness") precedes the Jewish New Year, Rosh Hashanah. It marks a period of time in which we are encouraged to reflect on wrong doings of the past and consider how we can better ourselves, ask for forgiveness from those that we've hurt, and move forward into the new year with a fresh perspective and a motivation to be better.
N: ​This isn't the first time you've shown this piece.  Where/when did it premiere?
JCK:
This piece was originally commissioned by Cantor Peter Halpern for Temple Shalom in Newton, MA, where it premiered in September 2017. It was created as a site-specific work for the congregation as a way to reflect on the themes of the holy day of "Selichot." 
N: ​What made you want to restage it now?
JCK:
I was struck by a recent conversation with Karen Krolak, in which we discussed an expectation in the dance world that seems to demand that choreographers constantly create new work. However, for emerging or smaller local companies, it means that a lot of old work is only performed once or twice for a small crowd and then never sees the light of day again. I felt excited by the opportunity to take a piece that I loved very much and allow it to be seen in multiple settings by as many different audiences as possible. This has also allowed me to take another look at certain parts of the piece and adjust, add, subtract, or just see how it evolves simply by being set on a new dancer. 

This piece was an unexpected joy to work on. The movement feels so natural and fun to do and I genuinely enjoyed creating it and setting it on my dancers. I’m excited for the opportunity to bring it back to life and present it to new audiences.
Dancer on a stage One leg to side, arms waving Purple top and skirtPicture
Photo by Kathryn Swayze Photography
​N: Who are the dancers you are working with?
JCK:
Aside from myself, the other dancers performing with me are Marisa Cohen, Alaina Sawyer and Amanda Untracht. (Natalie Schiera is also in the new cast but will not be performing on the 29th.)
N: This is the first time you've worked with some of these dancers.  How has that process been?
JCK:
Yes! Marisa is the only other dancer from the original cast of this piece, and I’ve brought in Alaina to join. I’ve worked with both for several years through other OnStage projects. I’ve never worked with Amanda before, but she is currently in residency at OnStage and I thought she’d be a great fit for this. I met Natalie through recent collaborations with Nozama Dance Collective, but also never danced with her before.
It has been an absolute joy working with these dancers. They’ve learned the work at lightening speed and are beautiful movers. I’m so glad that we’ll be able to perform the work several times together!
N: ​Where can people see the full piece?
JCK:
The full piece will be presented at the AS220 Providence Movement Festival on Thursday, April 25 and Saturday, April 27! 
Looks over shoulder Dancer amid white windows Arms L, knees to sidePicture
Photo by Mickey West
N: ​What other amazing things are you doing that people should know about?
JCK:
Oh! Just a couple of things:
- April 13: Empower One Another - A performance series focused on the themes of the female experience and female empowerment, co-produced by myself and Nozama Dance Collective. Featuring 6 dance companies, including work that we have choreographed collaboratively, at OnStage Dance Company.
- April 27: Malden Dance Mile for Artweek Boston - An outdoor street festival celebrating dance and movement. Co-produced by myself and the lovely Nicole Harris and Karen Krolak of Monkeyhouse. Located on the Malden Walking Path between Ferry St and Maplewood.
- June 15: OnStage Dance Company’s Season 17 Performance featuring original work created by emerging choreographers and performed by our company of 50+ dancers, at BU Dance Theater.
0 Comments

re[ACT] re[BUILD] re[COLLECT] Program

7/27/2018

0 Comments

 
Image of three dancers. Text: Monkeyhouse & OnStage Dance Company Present React, Rebuild, Recollect. March 29-30 Multicultural Arts Center, Cambridge
Costume Design by
Karen Krolak
​unless otherwise noted

Lighting Design by Jason Ries

Special Thanks to
Impulse Dance Center,
Clayton Raithel, Catrin Evans and the Groton School Theatre Department,
​Aisha Cruse & Kelsey Griffith.

The biggest thanks goes to OnStage Dance Company for providing such an incredible opportunity to our community.  Monkeyhouse Loves You!

Photo by Olivia Blaisdell
Conglomerate (2018) *
Choreographed by Elizabeth Powers in collaboration with the dancers
Performed by Elyssa Berg, Sarah Feinberg, Nicole Harris, Caleb Howe, Samantha Mullen, and Olivia Scharff
Music by Kourosh Dini
This piece was created as a part of Monkeyhouse’s Choreography Mentorship Program and was originally presented at NACHMO Boston 2018. So many thanks to Karen Krolak and Nicole Harris for their mentorship throughout this process. Thank you to Jason Ries for mentorship in lighting and design. Special thanks to each of the performers for all of their input and trying the same prompt so many times while never producing the same outcome and to Karen Krolak for being at each rehearsal and always asking the right questions.

Ricochet (premiere)
Choreographed by Sarah Feinberg in collaboration with Elizabeth Powers
Performed by Sarah Feinberg and Elizabeth Powers
Music by Psycliq
Thank you to Monkeyhouse for providing me this opportunity to create and perform. Thank you to Karen Krolak for the mentorship you have provided throughout this choreographic process but also throughout my life. Thank you to Nicole Harris for inspiring me with your movement and creative choices during Musings. Thank you to Jason Ries for asking questions and challenging me to think about my work in new ways. Thank you to Elizabeth Powers for being a wonderful dance partner and for everything you have contributed to the choreographic process both in Musings and rehearsals.
Two dancers rehearse, One lies on ground, one stands above, In room with wood floor

Musing Prompt #46.329 (premiere)
Improvisation Prompt by Karen Krolak
Performed by Caleb Howe, Elyssa Berg, Nicole Harris, Olivia Scharff and Sam Mullen
Music by Twink the Toy Piano Band
Special Thanks to Aisha Cruse

Ukiyo (premiere)
Choreographed by Nicole Harris
Performed by Sarah Friswell Cotton, Olivia Scharff, Nicole Harris
Costumes by Nicole Harris
Special Thanks to Kelsey Griffith, Impulse Dance Center
Ukiyo (Japanese) - the “floating world”; a place of fleeting beauty and living in the moment, detached from the bothers of life.


[220] (premiere)
Choreographed by Karen Krolak in collaboration with Sam Mullen
Performed by Sam Mullen
Music by Twink the Toy Piano Band
Sam would like to thank Karen for the encouragement, freedom of expression and constant support.
​www.DictionaryofNegativeSpace.com

Two dancers, one sitting on ground, one standing. Blue light reflects on reddened floor
Photo by JK Photo
Connexa (2013)
Choreographed by Sarah Feinberg and Nikki Sao Pedro-Welch
Performed by Olivia Scharff and Samantha Mullen
Music by Drop Trio
Thank you to Monkeyhouse for the opportunity share this piece again. Thank you to Olivia Scharff and Samantha Mullen for taking this piece on with such energy and enthusiasm. It’s been a blast working on it with you two!


4 things (2018)
Choreographed by Elizabeth Powers in collaboration with the dancers
Performed by Michelle Boilard, Michela Doherty, Sarah Feinberg, and Elizabeth Powers
Music by Mystified
Costumes by Elizabeth Powers
This piece was created as part of the OnStage Dance Company Residency Program in the Spring of 2018.  Thank you to Jennifer Kuhnberg for organizing OnStage Dance Company’s Residency Program and providing the space for this work to be created.  Thank you to Karen Krolak for her always wise words of wisdom during this process.

[82] (premiere)
Choreographed by Karen Krolak in collaboration with Olivia Scarff
Performed by Olivia Scharff   
Sound Design by Karen Krolak
Special Thanks to Chris Lanier and to Olivia for being brave enough to take on this solo.
www.DictionaryofNegativeSpace.com

In a studio,  Dancer walks on rope on ground,  One arm out, one bent
Photo by Sarah Friswell Cotton

Dancer silhouette One arm and two feet planted firm Stomach to the sky
Photo by Sarah Friswell Cotton
Irradiance; In Three Parts (premiere) *
Choreographed by Elyssa Berg
Performed by Sarah Feinberg, Nicole Harris, Caleb Howe, Elizabeth Powers   
Music by Daniel Birch, Kevin MacLeod, and Mathieu Lamontagne and Emmanuel Toledo
Thank you to Monkeyhouse for the opportunity to create work and share the space with so many talented and supportive artists. Thank you to all of the artists who participated in musings to bring inspiration and insight into the direction of the work. And lastly, a special thank you to Nicole Harris, Karen Krolak, and Jason Reis for their guidance and support of working in new ways with new resources while growing as an artist.


Voetstoots (premiere)
Choreographed and Performed by Caleb Howe and Nicole Harris  
Music by Francois Couture
Sound Design by Nicole Harris
Umbrella Design by Karen Krolak
Special Thanks to Karen Krolak and Peter-John de Kock
Voetstoots (Afrikaans) - refers to something, usually sold, with all its faults and without guarantees - “As is”


* Created as part of Monkeyhouse’s Choreography Mentorship Program
0 Comments

reAct reBuild reCollect Guest Artists -- Part I

7/9/2018

0 Comments

 
by Nicole Harris
Three dancers in dark room. Text reads: Monkeyhouse and OnStage Dance Company Present: React, Rebuild, Recollect. March 29-30
OnStage Dance Company Summer Series
We are very excited to have several guest artists as part of reAct reBuild reCollect on July 27th at OnStage Dance Company in Malden.  We have been slowly introducing you to all of the artists participating in the concert on social media but here's a look at two specific groups of guest artists!
$10 Tickets
can be yours right now by clicking here!  Any tickets using the VIP Code MH10 not only are less expensive, but give a higher percentage of the ticket price to the artist.  (psst, that's us!)  VIP Code rates are NOT available at the door, so get yours today!

For the past year I have been honored to have three former students return to the studio to take class as adults.  It began with Olivia Scharff, who sweated out the summer with me last year at Impulse Dance Center during my adult tap class.  When September rolled around she was joined by Kelsey Griffith and Monkeyhouse alum Sarah Friswell Cotton.  Towards the end of our first ten week session these ladies approached me to ask if they could dance on the "big stage" in Impulse's end of year concert.  LuAnn (Impulse's director) was more than happy to include three Impulse alumni in her show so we got down to work and the second ten week session was dedicated to creating a piece of choreography.
The piece they performed this June was to Waving Through a Window from the Broadway show Dear Evan Hansen.  The choreography was intricate and the incredible music gave the piece body and character.  However, the music also allowed for the dancers to hide within its orchestrations.  Don't get me wrong, these ladies aren't lazy!  But the fullness of the music overpowered some of the rhythms and counterpoints they were working so hard on, so we decided to also create a version of the piece with no music at all to be part of reAct reBuild reCollect in July.
The original plan was for all four of us to perform this new tacit piece but unfortunately, Kelsey tore her ACL this spring and will not be able to join us at the performance.  However, you can still learn about the amazing things she, Sarah and Olivia are doing by clicking on their images below.  It's exciting to see how people keep dance in their lives and these three are doing some pretty incredible work.
Headshot of woman Brown hair pulled back, brown eyes, smile Wears a yellow shirt
Picture
Headshot of woman Shoulder length blonde hair, wears black Smiles at camera
I can't describe to you how much fun it was to work with these ladies again.  Teaching adults is a very different thing than teaching children or even teenagers.  I loved seeing the different ways each of them had learned how to learn in the ten years since they last took class with me.  I am impressed by their ability to see their strengths and also their weaknesses and not be afraid to ask for or offer help.  I am honored to dance with them on July 27th and continue working with them in the future!  
0 Comments

OnStage Summer Series Interview - Kelley Donovan

7/2/2018

0 Comments

 
Short haired dancer in black pants and red shirt with cape throws arms, head, and one leg back.
Photo by Michael Hamilton
by Nicole Harris
With the first performance of the OnStage Summer Series coming up on Saturday we are excited to be sharing our next interview with you!  We interviewed Kelley Donovan for NACHMO Boston 2018 in January.  If you want to know more about what she's doing you can catch her show:

OnStage Dance Company, 665 Salem St, Malden, MA
Saturday, July 14th @ 8pm
Use VIP Code KDD10 to get a special ticket price here!

Nicole Harris:  Can you tell me about the work you’ll be performing as part of the OnStage Summer Performance Series?
Kelley Donovan:  We are developing a modern dance work using chance elements, numerology and imagery from the Tarot, Additionally, I am performing a recent solo and showing an old solo from 1994.  Rozann Kraus will perform "Waltz news" featuring 6 dancers depicting images of the "false news" featured on social media.  


N:  Who are the dancers you’ll be working with?
KD:  10 dancers, some new and some whom I have worked with since 2007,  The dancers include: Rose Gibney, Carolyn Jepsen, Crystal Heroux  Jacqueline Wilkinson Jane Wong, Katie Logan, Kira Mathiesen, Lauren Sava Marva Yates , Samantha Wilson, Sarah Takahagi,, Tiffany Lau and Rozann's work features:  Jacqueline Wilkinson, Jim Banta, Karen Klein, Kelley Donovan, Rozann Kraus, Dan Quinn and Samantha Wilson


N:  You have a performance series of your own called the Third Life Performance Series.  Can you tell us about it? How did it come about?
KD:  Yes, the third life series has been going for 6 years now since 2012 and we have presented over 150 choreographers and groups!  It is an informal series, designed to echo works in progress like the Judson Church Monday night showings in NYC.  When I started the series there were few informal showing in Boston and I felt a need for a stepping stone to full concerts and full productions and a need to build community that comes from seeing one anothers work.
N:  Last time we spoke was for NACHMO Boston in January. We talked about the challenges of creating choreography in such a short amount of time and the challenge you’d given yourself in creating a solo.  Now that that process is over I would love to hear about how you felt it went and what tools you used to create in such a potentially limiting environment.
KD:  I work improvisationally mostly so I consider it a step in a long process of creating material.  I consider every performance actually as part of a process, even the fully produced evenings.  I am more interested in the process, exploration and growth or work on creating.  I give myself structures and practice improvising with those structures leading up to the next showing.
Dancer in all black room, throws one arm up, head to side, and one leg bent in front
Photo by Olivia Moon Photography
N:  What are some amazing things you have been up to since we spoke in January?
KD:  ​I have mostly been performing solo work, at Thang at Somerville Armory, Mayfair, Third life and performed w/ teXtmoVes and with Kraus and..... in Dance for World Community, We Create at Hibernian Hall, I also reset a new work on Boston dancers called "Transitional State" at Dance Complex, and created a commissioned work for Boston Moving Arts for the same show!  It has been quite a busy year so far!
0 Comments

Nozama Dance - OnStage Summer Performance Series Interviews

6/25/2018

0 Comments

 
by Nicole Harris
Photo by Olivia Blaisdell
This summer Monkeyhouse is THRILLED to participate in the OnStage Summer Performance Series along with seven other local companies.  We're also pretty psyched that we got to talk to each of the choreographers in the lead up to their performance.

First up, Gracie Novikoff of Nozama Dance Collective!  We have interviewed Gracie twice before, for NACHMO Boston in 2018 and for 24hr ChoreoFest in in 2016.  As always, it was wonderful to hear about the amazing work Nozama is doing!
You can catch their show at 
OnStage Dance Company, 665 Salem St, Malden, MA
Saturday, July 7th @ 4pm
Use VIP Code NDC10 to get a special ticket price here!

​Follow Nozama on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter to learn more about them!!

Nicole Harris:  Can you tell me about the work you’ll be performing as part of the OnStage Summer Performance Series?
Gracie Novikoff:  Nozama Dance Collective is thrilled to be a part of the OnStage Summer Performance Series! We will be presenting a 45 minute set on Saturday, July 7th at 4pm. We will be performing predominantly new works, which is very exciting! We have been crafting a series of pieces surrounding the concept of “Enough”, in that as women we have seen enough, we have heard enough, we have had enough; now is the time to embrace that we are enough. Under this concept’s umbrella, we are presenting empowering works of frustration surrounding the threats to women’s rights, as well as uplifting dances of women coming together to celebrate one another. The tumultuous political climate of 2016-2018 has inspired us in numerous ways, particularly in how bold women have stood up and claimed their voices against oppressive forces. We are committed to bringing female empowerment to the Boston dance community, and this performance will fully embody that. This set list will then make up a large percentage of the choreography for our own full-length production, appropriately entitled “Enough”, which will be on August 3rd and 4th at Green Street Studios in Cambridge, MA. 
N:  I know Nozama Dance Collective is a group of strong, influential women.  Can you tell us about some other women who have influenced you in and out of the studio?
G:  The women of Nozama fully influence and empower one another. We are both a family and a community of women who truly care for and inspire one another. Our pieces are choreographed by numerous women within the company, with collaboration from the dancers. 
Photography by Mickey West
In creating our pieces, we pull inspiration from our own experiences as well as the other women in our lives and our relationships with them. Specifically, Natalie Schiera and I (Nozama’s Co-Directors) are inspired by our mentor from Boston University, Micki Taylor-Pinney. She taught us the bulk of what we know about the art of choreography, and how to captivate an audience with your message. She is our greatest instructor and guide! 

N:  Last time we spoke it was during NACHMO Boston and you were presenting work of a new choreographer for your company.  Have any additional company members choreographed work during 2018? How has it been for you and for the dancers to expand the number of choreographers you’re working with?  What have some of the challenges been? What has been really successful?
G:  One of the internal missions of Nozama Dance Collective in 2018 was to offer opportunities to our dancers that would promote their own individual goals as artists. With this, we now have numerous choreographers within the company. Natalie Schiera and I as Co-Directors still choreograph many of the pieces, but we have had stunning pieces choreographed by Kelly Gauthier, who has been with the company since its inception. Additionally, this season Dana Alsamsam is choreographing a phenomenal trio, while Juliana Wiley is crafting a fantastic duet. We are also excited to produce solos choreographed and performed by Teresa Tobin and Katy Esper, individually. We look forward to fostering the creativity and passion of our dancers as choreographers and as artists, and we are consistently seeking opportunities for them to achieve their goals. 
Photography by Christopher Huang
N:  I know it hasn’t been nearly as long between the last interview and now as it was between the first two, but what what are a couple of amazing things that have happened to the company since January?
G:  ​So many things! We are especially proud to now be officially partnered with the Big Sisters Association! We teach monthly workshops to girls ages 9-13 years old with their “Big Sisters” from the program. These workshops focus on topics such as girl power and positive body image, and incorporate movement and choreography to express these concepts. The partnership has been tremendously beneficial for both parties, and we are excited to donate a proceed of our ticket sales from our August 2018 production, “Enough”, to this organization. ​​
0 Comments

Getting to Know Jennifer Crowell-Kuhnberg - OnStage Summer Performance Series Interview

6/18/2018

0 Comments

 
Dancer on a stage One leg to side, arms waving Purple top and skirt
Photo by Kathryn Swayze Photography
by Nicole Harris
This summer Monkeyhouse will be performing as part of the OnStage Summer Performance Series in Malden, MA.  We are busy interviewing all of the participating companies, but first we wanted to introduce you to the woman who made it all happen, Jennifer Crowell-Kuhnberg.  Jennifer is the Executive Director of OnStage Dance Company, which just last year relocated to Malden.  
For more information about Jennifer and OnStage Dance Company check out their website, Facebook and Instagram.  For more information about the OnStage Summer Performance Series and to get tickets, click here!

Nicole Harris:  What made you want to start a performance series?  What are you goals for it?
Jennifer Crowell-Kuhnberg:  My goals for the performance series are multi-faceted! To start, producing an evening-length showcase is a very expensive and overwhelming endeavor for small dance companies. I wanted to provide an opportunity for these groups to show their work in a way that didn't cost them anything but could also yield a profit for them, from their ticket sales. Most small companies are lucky to break even after a show, much less walk away with a profit. On the other hand, being new to the Malden community, I wanted to help facilitate the beginning of what I hope will be a more robust arts' scene in this part of the city by bringing in some fantastic, local companies. Our new studio space is huge and has such incredible potential as a burgeoning arts space! It's a perfect location for experimental showcases and events and this idea seemed like a great way to expand on some of the successful programming we are already doing (like our Residency Program and Annual Arts Marathon). I hope we'll see members of the Malden community, and surrounding towns, come in to see some of the performances and experience dance in a new way (or for the first time!). 
N:  How did you pick this particular group of companies?
J:  At first, I wasn't sure if anyone would be interested in the idea! So I started by thinking of the companies that I personally admired, for one reason or another, and who I would want to see a full-length performance from. I have a great respect for all of the groups that will be showcased for this series, whether it's because of the choreography they produce, their impact in the local dance community, their creativity, their potential. I reached out to these Artistic Directors with a very brief proposal and everyone responded within a day saying they were in!  
Dancer in all black Foot in front, looks at back hand By stained glass windows
Photo by Kathryn Swayze Photography
N:  You also have a choreographer residency program.  Can you talk about that and how it came about?
J:  The Residency Program came about when OnStage first acquired our own studio space, about five years ago. Having our own space allowed us limitless possibilities in terms of the programs and opportunities we could offer as a non-profit arts organization. With our performance company, the choreographer auditions and rehearsal process are very regimented as we have a limited time frame to work within. The Residency program was an opportunity to give choreographers more time to play, explore and experiment by giving them no rules (other than to show up and create something!). It changes the dynamic of the choreographic process when you're free to create whatever you like, or can have an idea evolve in a way that you might not have expected.

​
N:  You have only been in your space for about a year.  How has it been? What are the unexpected challenges of running a space?  What has been wildly successful about it?
J:  Moving to this new space has been such an adventure!  We had our own studio in Somerville for several years, but I was very excited for the opportunity to expand into a larger space - and when I walked into this studio for the first time, I knew I had to have it! It's always challenging when you move to a new area, as we had to start from scratch with all of our marketing efforts and getting people to know who we were and where we were located. Even a year in, that's still something we're working to improve on! But it's been such a thrill seeing so many new people come in to take classes, or audition for our company, or sign up for our programs. I hope we'll continue seeing more new faces each day!

N:  You clearly have done a lot to champion choreography and choreographers.  What is that particular cause so important to you personally?
J:  Thank you! I think the reason this is so important to me personally is because I took the long way to get here and I wish I'd had a short cut! Meaning, I was very intimidated to break into the dance scene and find my place in it. I was told it was too "cut throat," too competitive, not a reasonable way to make a living, and so on. Finding success as a choreographer can seem impossible when there are not enough opportunities for emerging dance makers to show work, build their brand, or discover what their brand even is! It takes a lot of time to cultivate your artistic voice and get eyes in front of your work. By offering some of these programs through OnStage, I hope I can make it just a little easier for artists to find their way. ​
Dancer in short dress  Looks to side, arms overhead On stage with large group
Photo by Kathryn Swayze Photography
N:  Who are some of your favorite choreographers and why?
J:  Ohhh how much time do we have?! Starting from the top, I've always been drawn to Isadora Duncan. Aesthetically, our dance styles are quite different! But I've always admired her carefree spirit, and the way she carved her own path. I love that her movement comes from a very natural and primal place - I can relate to that! On the opposite end of the spectrum I love old-school Fosse. The precision, the subtlety, the coy sexiness - how every movement has a very deliberate and intentional purpose, even if it's just a small shoulder roll. His work is just delightful! For more contemporary stuff: I love what Camille A. Brown is doing - so fun and vibrant. Sonya Tayeh's "You'll Still Call Me By Name" gave me chills. Michelle Dorrance was the first evening length tap performance I'd ever seen, and I think I was in a trance the whole time. I also love scouring YouTube for new people I've never heard of!
N:  Monkeyhouse believes in the importance of both giving back and paying forward.  Who are some of your mentors? How are you paying forward what was given to you?
J:  My earliest mentor was Elaine Hershfeld from the Mark Twain School. She was the director of the dance program and was always so supportive of my little creations. She awarded me the Choreographer of the Year Award way back in 1998 and I swear, to this day, it's one of my most meaningful achievements. I also had some fantastic teachers at Horizons in Dance in Brooklyn who instilled that sense of joy in dance but also a very strong work ethic. I've been working as a full-time dance instructor at many studios over the years, and I definitely try to emulate their teaching style. They were a huge influence on me as a kid and if I can have even a fraction of the same impact, I know I'm doing ok. 

N:  Monkeyhouse has a Choreography Mentorship program and we are always interested in hearing what other artists have gone through.  What advice would you offer to emerging choreographers?
J:  Most advice that emerging choreographers will hear is related to working hard, being tenacious in their efforts to get work out there, applying to everything, etc. And that is all good, and important, advice. I would also add that the best thing you can do for yourself is not try to be someone or something that you're not. Be proud of your unique dance voice and don't worry about trying to change your work to fit what everyone else is doing. Your work will naturally evolve and be influenced by other things you see and experience, but the worst thing you can do with your art is compare it to others' and force it to be like theirs. The most successful and well respected choreographers have that reputation because they paved their own way.
0 Comments

ChoreoFest Revisited - Onstage Dance Company!

7/21/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
We loved catching up with Jennifer from Onstage Dance Company!  You can find our previous interview with Onstage here!

N: Have you used the piece you created during ChoreoFest? In what way?

ODC: While we haven't used the specific piece we created during ChoreoFest, we did discover many new methods for creating collaborative choreography. We've used these strategies while creating new work for our Repertory group and have been really happy with the results!

N: What advice do you have for this year's participants?
ODC: Focus on the quality of whatever you create, instead of the quantity. It can feel overwhelming to create an entire piece in one night and worry that it's not long enough. Instead, we created a relatively short piece last year that was probably around 3:30 minutes and focused more on the quality of the content and making sure we were really happy with what we were making, as opposed to throwing stuff together just to fill time.


N: What is your favorite memory from last year's festival?
ODC: There were so many favorite memories from last year. Just the experience of spending that much crazy quality time with my dancers was a real treat. But at one point one of our dancers was teaching us a really complex Bollywood-inspired movement phrase that was a challenge for the rest of us. The moment we all nailed it, we screamed so loud in celebration. It was a high-point of the night!

N: What have you been up to in the last year?
ODC: We have been up to so much this year! We've wrapped two performance seasons since our last ChoreoFest, expanded our Repertory group, created a Residency program at our studio, and have help hundreds of classes. OnStage is on a roll!

N: Where can people see you/your work these days? Any upcoming performances?
ODC: We've had a ton of performances over the past few months but our next ones are: The Festival of Us, You, We & Them, The Southern Vermont Dance Festival, The OnStage | Repertory Fall Showcase and the 12th Season of OnStage begins in October.
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

    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