Scotland
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Susana B. Williams, director of Dance Forms Productions brings "The 48th International Choreographers' Showcase" to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2009
August 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 2009
10:45 A.M.
Zoo Southside: Grid Reference: F6
117 Nicolson Street
Edinburgh, Scotland
Phone: 0131 662 6892
To purchase tickets for this show please visit
Click on shows and tickets 2009 enter the word Danceforms
or write to danceformspro@aol.com
Program
"A propos de Butterfly"
From the Opera Madama Butterfly by Giacomo Puccini (Duration: 45 minutes)
A creation of the José Besprosvany Companie in collaboration with the Théatre de la Balsamine (2004)
Concept and choreography: José Besprosvany
Dramaturgy: Jean-Louis Sbille
Visual concept: Vincent Knecht
Images: Lander Loeckx
Lighting design: Marco Forcella
Stage manager: Stephen Ferreri
Interpretation: Paola Di Piazza , Thierry Bastin, Jipé, José Besprosvany
Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly, created in 1904, tells the story of a young geisha seduced by a lieutenant of the American Marines named Pinkerton. For him, Butterfly renounces the religion of her ancestors and marries him, much to the chagrin of her family who distance themselves, ousting her for religious treason. The newlyweds consummate their love on their wedding night, just before Pinkerton sets off again on crusade. Three years later, Butterfly has had a child and is still awaiting the return of her husband. When he finally reappears, it is on the arm of another woman, American like him.... Butterfly has no other choice therefore than honourable suicide as a last embrace of her unrealisable love.
The role of Madame Butterfly was created by Daniela Luca, who won Best Actor at the Rainbow festival of Saint Petersberg and at the Tempus Art festival in Slovakia in 2007.
A Propos de Butterfly
Photo: P. Grosbois
José Besprosvany is a choreographer and theatre director and was born in Mexico in 1959. He has been living in Belgium for more than twenty years and became a Belgian citizen in 2001. Since the early 1980s, José has been one of the reformers of Francophone Belgian contemporary dance (notably with the Mossoux-Bonté Company, Pierre Droulers, Michèle Noiret and Michèle-Anne de Mey).
José attended the École Jacques Lecoq in Paris, where he studied theatre (mime, movement, acting and mask play). During his studies as a dancer at the École Mudra directed by Maurice Béjart, he met the musician and teacher Fernand Schirren, who taught him that breathing and heart beat are at the core of each gesture and word, and how bringing these two together results in rhythm. José then danced with Maurice Béjart’s 20th Century Ballet for two years.
In 1986, José founded his own company, which provides a vehicle for his constant quest to find different modes of expression, and has resulted in a forceful and varied repertoire. His initial creations, Momentum (1984), Evento (1986) and Tempéraments (1988), were minimalist in style and were followed by a series of productions that questioned the relationship between classical and contemporary languages, with Von Heute auf Morgen (1989), Apollon la Nuit (1990) and Retours (1992). After this, José explored the relationships between narrative and dance in Cuarteto (1993), built around a text by Marguerite Duras, and followed by Hombre Alado (1995) and Lara (1996), the choreography of which was based on the anonymous text of a 15th century Spanish epic. These shows were all included in the programmes of importance dance centres. In 1992, José also created the choreographies for two operas presented at the Théâtre Royal de la Monnaie: Henry Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas and Pascal Dusapin’s Medeamaterial.
In the late 1990s, José re-examined his work, which he judged to be too conformist, and he began to approach choreography from a different angle, which he continues to develop to this day. In 1999, along with pieces by Maguy Marin and William Forsythe, he presented Dos y Dos (1999), an astonishing encounter between dance and live flamenco music. That same year, he created the musical Belle à mourir based on the Kurdish legend Mamé Alan, adapted by Thomas Gunzig. Tryptico (2002) and 9 (2005) revealed a marked interest in non-Western performing arts, with a focus on the relationship between North and South.
In recent years, his work has frequently incorporated puppetry, with La Princesse de Babylone (2003), a story by Voltaire adapted and placed in an imaginary empire, narrated and sung by actors, dancers, musicians and a storyteller, as well as A propos de Butterfly (2004), and his latest creation, La Belle au bois de Dandaka (2007).
In parallel to his passion for dance, José is interested in directing both theatre and cinema. He directed Elles (1996) by Nicole Malinconi, Les Indifférents by Odilon-Jean Perier (1996) and L’Invisible by Philippe Blasband. He also directed Prometheus Bound by Aeschylus, adapted by Henry Bauchau (1998), and created the dance-video Andrès (1992) and the short film Le Dessin (2004), which were presented at several international festivals.
He counts among his numerous prizes and distinctions: Il Coreografo Electronico (Italy) and the Bert Leysen Prijs (Belgium), as well as special mention from the jury in Danscreen (Germany) for the dance-video Andrès (1993), the prize for best show of the year in the Communauté française (Belgium) for La Princesse de Babylone (2004), and the spectators’ award and prize for new art forms at the Rainbow Festival (Russia) for A propos de Butterfly (2007).
He is a representative member in the dance department of the Comité de Concertation des Arts de la Scène and a founding member of the Comité Permanent des Employeurs des Arts de la Scène.
"A Soul Lais Bare"
Edinburgh Premiere
Choreographer: Shay Ishii/ Music: "One Grain of Sand" written by Pete Seeger
Costume: Sue Hartung and Shay Ishii
Performer: Shay Ishii
Shay Ishii
As the Artistic Director of Shay Ishii Dance Company, Shay Ishii is realizing a vision of creating and performing dance with people whom she loves, trusts and respects. Her passion and vision for dance extends beyond performance to encompass exploring, choreographing and teaching movement. She has been teaching dance and Pilates for more than twelve years and holds and MFA in Dance from Sam Houston State University and a BS in Dance from Texas State University. Shay has spent the past six years studying and mentoring with Katherine Duke, Artistic Director and Principal Dancer for the Erick Hawkins Dance Company. She currently serves as an adjunct professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Texas State University. Shay has performed with and choreographed for Opening Door Dance Theatre, The Creeps Dance Company and Ariel Dance Theatre. Her work has been presented in California, Nevada, New York and Texas.
"Streaks of Crimson"
Choreographed and performed by Lisa K. Lock
Music: Lisa Gerrard
Costume: Lisa K. Lock and Alexandra Underhill
Lisa K.Lock
Photo: Larry Coleman
Lisa K. Lock holds a Ballet Diploma from the Grande Ecole de Danse in Bern, Switzerland and a Bachelor and Masters degree from the California Institute of the Arts in Los Angeles. Since 1994, Lock performs her solo works internationally, and in the Los Angeles and Cleveland areas. She has been honored by a Lester Horton Award for Outstanding Achievement in Choreography in 2002, previously receiving numerous nominations for the categories of choreography and performance. Her work has been produced by: The Los Angeles Women's Theatre Festival, Deborah Brockus in both her series "Split" and "Spectrum," Highways Performance Space, L.A.C.E. (Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions), Dance Kaleidoscope, Cal Arts, and the Huntington Beach Art Center. In 2002 Ms. Lock returned to Switzerland to perform a solo concert at the EXPO 2002 in the Swiss Abroad Program. In 2003 she presented her work at Centro Cultural "Miguel Angel Asturias" in Guatemala City and in 1999 she toured Austria and Lithuania, in both occasions, with "The International Choreographers' Showcase." In 1999 she was invited to perform for Swiss TV in collaboration with Manuel Montanana. As a freelance artist Lock performed with Hysterica Dance Company and la Danserie. As guest artist with Robert Gilliam, the Francisco Martínez Dance Theatre, KIN Dance Company, the CalArts Dance Ensemble, the Bridge Dance Theater in Los Angeles and with the Northeast Ballet Company in Schenectady, New York. Lock instructed ballet and modern dance technique at Moorpark College and at the Rozann-Zimmerman Ballet Center. In past years she has been a guest teacher at the California Institute of the Arts, and has managed the dance division of Community Arts Partnership. She has been in residence at the Antelope Valley College, Scripps College, and she has offered lecture/demonstrations at Cerritos College, Pomona College and the Idyllwild School of Music and the Arts.
"Shelling Peas"
Premiered at Centro Cultural "Miguel Angel Asturias" in Guatemala on June 19, 2009
Choreographer: Winifred R.Harris/ Music: Anja Lechner and Vassilis Tsabropoulos
Costume: Winifred R. Harris
Performer: Winifred R.Harris
Winifred R. Harris
Photo: Carlos A. Arriola
Winifred R. Harris, a multi-faceted artist, teacher, and community activist. As a choreographer, she consciously balances the inherently beautiful escapism of dance and the social realities that form today’s aesthetic and cultural values. She enjoys working with fantasies and dreams, as well understanding and taking responsibility for issues grounded in reality. In short, Ms. Harris is a visionary who creates art as conversation, a connective tissue to the world, and a means to see beyond what we think of as "limits." Her work is a strong balance of technical prowess and expression through gesture.
Ms. Harris began her training under the guidance of Denver’s critically acclaimed Cleo Parker Robinson. She then went on to dance professionally for Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble for 10 years, followed by the Dallas Black Dance Theater, and she also enjoyed a solo stint in New York and abroad during that time.
In October 1991, Ms. Harris relocated and made her home in Los Angeles, founding the critically lauded and award-nominated Winifred R. Harris’ BETWEENLINES, a contemporary modern dance company. During the past fifteen years of Ms. Harris’ work as a choreographer, she has garnered special notice from both the Los Angeles Times and the California Arts Council for LA Cultural Affairs.
In recognition of her dedication and commitment in bringing dance to underprivileged youth through her teaching efforts within the Los Angeles community, Ms. Harris has received several awards from the Mayor of the City of Los Angeles. Ms. Harris has developed a significant body of work throughout past years, not only for her own company, but also for a variety of college and professional companies alike. She has also choreographed for the stage with her involvement in the Poetic Opera and the original opera Testimony.
Her choreography has been seen all over the United States as well as internationally. Last year the company performed in Montenegro and Greece. An exceptional teacher, Ms. Harris has been on staff at Dallas Black Dance Theater, the Colorado State Ballet and has also been on the dance faculty, and/or taught master classes and workshops at various universities and studios throughout the country, including Cal State Los Angeles, Northridge and Long Beach, Orange County Performing Arts High School, Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia, and several others. Through her company, Winifred R. Harris’ BETWEENLINES, Ms. Harris continues to be active in her environment, teaching at LA County women’s, children’s, and family shelters and for community organizations throughout the metro area, including The Heart Project and City of Peace.
To purchase tickets for this show please visit
Click on shows and tickets 2009 enter the word Danceforms
or write to danceformspro@aol.com
An Invitation from the Director
Dear Choreographers,
On August 6, 2009 a group of distinguished choreographers will travel to Edinburgh to be featured in "THE 48th INTERNATIONAL CHOREOGRAPHERS' SHOWCASE," a presentation of DANCE-FORMS PRODUCTIONS, for The Edinburgh Festival Fringe being held at the Zoo Southside Theater in Edinburgh, Scotland from August 8 through August 13, 2009.
This exciting trip offers choreographers an excellent opportunity to present their work, to network with directors, producers, other artists, (hopefully to negotiate new engagements!), and to earn a share of the revenue from ticket sales of five performances.
The Edinburgh Festival literally draws thousands of people from all across Europe and other parts of the world. The festival is a thrilling extravaganza of hundreds of artists performing dance, theater, mime, and music within the medieval setting of castles, courtyards, an outdoor cafes. This truly promises to be an unforgettable experience.
I invite choreographers who are willing to invest in themselves and who are interested in expanding their knowledge of other cultures, as well as promoting their work abroad. I invite choreographers who see this thrilling event as an opportunity to benefit their professional development.
You receive a complete production package, which includes: Five performances, Lighting, sound, technical assistance, a professional level of publicity, pre-show rehearsal arrangements, box office, printed materials, printed programs, and hotel accommodation based on two persons sharing twin bedded rooms with private bath/shower.
To find out how to qualify, and the investment required, call my office at (502) 222-2273. Remember, space is limited, please call right away. You may call from Monday through Saturday, between the hours of 9 A.M. and 9 P.M. Eastern Time.
After we have spoken be prepared to submit your professional resume, 4 full body pictures for publicity, program notes, and a VHS video with samples of your work. Remember, space is limited, so pick up the phone and contact us now! You may email us at any time. Our email is: danceformspro@aol.com
Dance the world with Dance-Forms Productions! Let's do it now!
Don't wait, if you have further questions, you can check our FAQ page, email us by clicking on danceformspro@aol.com or speak personally with me by calling (502) 222-2273.
I look forward to your participation, and welcoming you to the showcase.
Susana B. Williams
Director
DANCE-FORMS PRODUCTIONS
Welcome to Edinburgh
Auld Reekie: An olde Scottish name for Edinburgh which dates back to Victorian times. A reek is a thick fog which would engulf the city and was generated by the high concentration of coal-burning fires. All very Hound of the Baskervilles. The city's prize architecture has long been scrubbed clean of the after effects.
The Fringe is just one of several festivals that takes place in Edinburgh over the summer, but for many visitors it stands apart from the rest.
BBC Scotland's arts correspondent Pauline McLean explains why, "it's no accident that among the melee of Edinburgh's festivals, you'll find at least one circus. The owners of that big top may think they're The Greatest Show on Earth but actually, they're just a small part of it.
Just one of the 500 companies turning in a mere handful of the 14,108 performances taking place on the Edinburgh Fringe - truly the greatest show on earth.
This sprawling festival of everything from Shakespeare to stand-up is a far cry from the small alternative programme set up in 1947 to complement the Edinburgh International Festival.
Since then it has exploded, becoming far bigger (at least in terms of size and scale) than what was originally the main event. What's more, to many people, the Fringe is the Edinburgh Festival."
The Edinburgh Festival has had a triumphant year (2008), with more than one million visitors expected by the end of August - the highest number ever. The theater in particular has seen a renaissance, eclipsing the once-dominant comedy scene for excitement and box office returns. Ticket sales have increased across the board with more people flocking to see little-known productions, classical music and foreign films.
Susana B. Williams with Anand Perth and Sarasa Krishnan, Directors of the Temple of Fine Arts
Darla Johnson
Susana B. Williams with the directors, dancers and musicians from the Temple of Fine Arts
Choreographers Alan Greig and Peter Kyle attended performance of Danceforms' "The 42nd International Choreographers' Showcase
Mikhail Baryshnikov and the White Oak Dance Project dancers
Lovers of dance flocked to performances of American dance from the 1960s and 1970s by Mikhail Baryshnikov - one of the most celebrated dancers of the last 25 years -and his White Oak Dance Project.
Mikhail Baryshnikov has turned to America's post-modern choreographers for his latest White Oak Dance Project showcase (at the Edinburgh Festival 13-16 August, 2001). He took a fresh look at the radical dance ideas of the Sixties and Seventies that he missed before he defected to the United States; the past is indeed another country. He co-directed the PASTForward programme with David Gordon, who was, and still is, one of the postmodernist movement's sanest iconoclasts. Their aim was to purge dance of all but the basics - whatever they turned out to be. Baryshnikov and seven colleagues re-enact those earlier experiments, with film from then and now. Living alternative history, danced by a ballet legend who can make standing still fascinating.
Legendary dancer Merce Cunningham stars in a John Cage work
Merce Cunningham : Fifty Years
Quotes By Merce:
"There's no thinking involved in my choreography...I don't work through images or ideas, I work through the body...If the dancer dances, which is not the same as having theories about dancing or wishing to dance or trying to dance, everything is there. When I dance, it means: this is what I am doing."
"...and then I read Einstein by pure coincidence. He said there are no fixed points in space and I thought, well, that's perfect. That, as far as I was concerned, is about stage space. There aren't any fixed points. Wherever you are ... could be a center. Well that's a Buddhist thought, of course -- wherever you are is the center, as well as where everybody else is. But that seemed to me quite marvelous, and enlarging."
"My work has always been 'in process.' Finishing a dance has always left me with an idea, often slim in the beginning, for the next dance. I do not think of dance as an object, rather a short stop on the way."
Alexandra Milne and Mauro de Candia
Photo by Scott Belding
Nejla Y. Yatkin
Photo by Carlos A. Arriola
"people ask where the choreographers of the future are. I'm telling you, some of them were here."
-David Mead, Critical Dance.com
Reviewing "The 29th International Choreographers' Showcase, August 2005.
"The International Choreographers enjoy the difficulty of their brilliant choreography. In the most intricate flow of ever changing combinations, they dance at the very edge of possibility and with a fullness of being that's rare anywhere, anytime." Susana B. Williams
Dance the World with Dance-Forms Productions! Let's do it now!
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