Month: June 2014

June 26, 2014

My new work, Insecurity, premiered at the New Works Festival in Wausau, WI, June 21st, 2014.  This festival is put on annually by the non-profit organization, Introspect Arts.  There were two performances, 11am and 6pm.  I was one of 9 choreographers selected to create a new, political, choreographic work for this festival.  Meet my cast above! These dancers had never been a choreographic work together before, and they all collaborated beautifully.  We quickly created a harmonious ensemble, and worked together a few hours a week, over the course of 6-weeks. The cast was a blend of professional dancers, and high-school aged pre-professional dancers. This piece was inspired by George Orwell’s classic 1984, and is my commentary on the current security state within the United States of America.  

There was a Q and A for the audience after the showings to ask choreographers about their works.  There was a big buzz about my work Insecurity, and a lot of curiosity about what it was about (as well as a lot of interpretations!), how I crafted my use of silence, audio, and vocalization with movement, and the significance of the “ever-present” actor upstage.

Original music score created for the piece by: Estin Gee.  Our helpful and stage-presence, Actor: Ken Stetzer.  Choreography, costume, and lighting design: by me.

For a hand-recorded video of the 11am showing, see below.

I hope you enjoy, and would love to hear about your interpretation of the work!

-Courtney Anne 

June 1, 2014

I am currently working with 5 local dancers, ages 14-24, to create a New Work for the Introspect Arts New Works Festival 2014.  I hand-selected 5 area dancers to be in my new choreographic work titled “In Security”.  This past Wednesday was our first rehearsal, and we have 4 more schedule before our June 21st performance.  Working with 5 dancers, none of whom have ever worked together before, and only 2 of whom I’ve choreographed work on before has been going GREAT!  Movement is the common language that brings, even strangers, together.  I’m excited to share some rehearsal footage within the next week, and to see the piece continue to come together.  This Wednesday we will have our custom music score created by my fiancé, Estin Gee.  Adding the music to our phrase material will add that extra layer to what we’ve already been creating.