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ADT brings 'Intersections' to the Anchorage stageAnchorage dance aficionados have something to look forward to this weekend as Alaska Dance Theatre, in partnership with Oregon's Eugene Ballet Company, presents "Intersections," an evening of dances never before seen in Alaska. "The idea of 'Intersections' has been going on for a few years now," ADT executive director Codie Costello said in a phone interview before rehearsal Wednesday. "It's really ADT's way of collaborating with artists from the Lower 48 and from around the world." This weekend's performance will include the Alaska premiere of "Tyranny of the Senses," a multimedia dance piece choreographed by ADT resident choreographer Gillmer Duran. Duran is also a principal with Eugene Ballet, where "Tyranny of the Senses" had its world premiere April 2. The piece, set to an original score by Oregon composer Brian McWhorter, is "very visceral," Costello said. It was inspired by Deepak Chopra's book "Ageless Body, Timeless Mind." "(Duran) is just really interested in challenging the ideas of perception," she said. The piece deals with human senses "and how they all interact with the brain and how those elements can then be integrated into movements."
The program also includes a world premiere, "Faces of Eve," choreographed by Eugene Ballet executive director Toni Pimble. Costello described "Faces of Eve" as "a series of short, intimate pieces" about women's relationships in a family, performed by three female dancers. "It's really exploring mother/daughter/sister," Costello said. "Solo in 9 Parts," set to music by Vivaldi and choreographed by Jessica Lang, was commissioned by Kansas City Ballet through a grant from the Jerome Robbins Foundation's New Essential Works program. Dancers from ADT traveled to Eugene earlier this year to learn the piece with dancers from Eugene Ballet, and the companies will perform it together, along with a fourth piece, "Without the Cover," also choreographed by Duran and set to the music of Bach as interpreted by Venezuelan pianist Gabriela Montero. In "Without the Cover," Costello said, Duran is "examining social perceptions" about art. "He wanted to create a way to appreciate the modern form of ballet from a perspective that's not necessarily just entertainment," she said. "It's really a metaphoric exploration of how society constrains people and what happens when they reveal themselves." ADT's partnership with Eugene Ballet, announced last September, has helped the company through a time of transition. Alice Bassler Sullivan, who served as artistic director for more than a quarter of a century, retired in 2009. The board of directors had lined up a new executive director, but he never materialized, and Costello was ultimately tapped to lead the organization. "We came up with this kind of bold idea that we would partner with (Eugene) for this season, and Gillmer would be able to go back and forth," Costello said. ADT and Eugene Ballet also shared three company dancers, two of whom will perform in Anchorage this weekend. Through all the changes of the past couple of years, Costello said, the company has pulled together. "They're amazing," she said. "Dancers happen to be some of the most adaptable creatures on the planet, I think, so that's a plus. Yeah, it's been challenging, but everyone feels very passionate about making this organization be the best that it can be and continuing that legacy that Alice created." Alaska Dance Theatre presents 'Intersections' with Eugene Ballet CompanyFriday, April 15 and Saturday, April 16 at 7:30 p.m. Contact Maia Nolan at maia(at)alaskadispatch.com. |
