EDGEWORKS DANCE THEATRE the determining factor
Midwest premiere
| Legion Arts is proud to present the
award-winning DC dance company, Edgeworks Dance Theater, in their new work
the determining factor.
The engagement represents the first Iowa appearance of this all-male
contemporary dance company, made up of African-American men and based in
Washington DC.
The determining factor, a dynamic integration of dance, video,
original spoken word and music, explores the ways in which four sexual
minorities (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered) relate to the sexual
majority.
Artistic director and choreographer Helanius J. Wilkins has drawn from a
unique combination of sources for the project: hard-hitting discussion
groups and fairy tales. In this way Wilkins addresses the illusions and
realities of issues surrounding gender, sexuality and spirituality.
The project features Edgeworks dancers and New York City performance
artist Monstah Black as a type of ringmaster storyteller presiding over
phantasmagorical scenes that sometimes seem borrowed from Alice in
Wonderland, other times from Hieronymus Bosch.
The original score was written by award-winning composer and musician Sven
Abow. Award-winning set designer and visual artist Joyce Ellen Weinstein
created the fantastical sets.
Explaining his multi-faceted approach, Wilkins said, "I wanted to really
ground the work, because dance, in itself, is often viewed as being
abstract. This is a very topical, very tangible matter, and I wanted to
bring elements together with dance to really give a direct, clear journey
for the audience.”
The determining factor addresses the denial of homophobia and
homosexuality prevalent throughout the black community and is aimed
especially at audiences in schools and faith communities. The work
creatively illustrates how diversity in sexual orientation, like other
forms of diversity, enriches the human family.
From faith leaders and politicians being "outed," to the absence of
discussions of sex, gender and sexuality in faith communities, to the
astonishing suicide rates of LGBT youth, Wilkins said "our nation is in a
crisis." He hopes that the determining factor will help open a
crucial dialog.
Toward that goal, the dance project often features a community collaboration
component. In various communities where Edgeworks has worked and
performed, a cross-section of community has participated in discussion
groups focused on the hopes and dreams of gay people, as well as varied views of homosexuality in America, as well as
participants' personal experiences. Some of these discussion groups take place
through partnerships with schools and faith
communities.
The determining factor premiered in September at Virginia
Commonwealth University. The piece has since been performed in Washington,
DC. Following its Midwest premiere at CSPS, the production will travel to
The Painted Bride in Philadelphia.
Fri-Sat Nov 14-15
| 8 pm
CSPS | 1103 Third St SE | Cedar Rapids $15 advance | $18 day of
show
Edgework Dance Theatre's residency
is made possible in part by a grant from the
National Performance Network's Performance Residency Program.
The National Performance Network (NPN) is a
multi-state group of cultural organizers and artists facilitating the
practice and public experience of the performing arts in the United States.
The NPN serves artists, arts organizers, and a broad range of audiences
across the country through commissions, residencies, arts-centered community
projects and other activities. Major contributors to the NPN include the
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, the Ford Foundation, the National Endowment
for the Arts, Altria and the Nathan Cummings Foundation.
The residency is also funded in part
by the National Dance Project of the New England Foundation for the Arts,
with lead funding from Doris Duke
Charitable Foundation. Additional funding provided by The Ford Foundation,
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, JP Morgan Chase Foundation and MetLife
Foundation.
Send comments or corrections to
info@legionarts.org
or phone 319.364.1580.
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