National Choreographers Initiative  to return

July 5-23, 2005

Performance July 23, 2005 at 8pm 

Orange County, CA - The National Choreographers Initiative will again take place in July, 2005. During the three weeks of intense creative effort, teams of choreographers and dancers will produce new dance works culminating in a public performance on July 23. 

The inaugural National Choreographers Initiative took place last July with the idea of promoting the creation and production of professional dance. Under the direction of Molly Lynch, NCI provides an opportunity to engage outstanding choreographers from around the United States in the creative process. There is a need nationwide to have a workshop setting where choreographers can create work of their choosing and to experiment and develop their craft. The National Choreographers Initiative is an opportunity to develop and produce dance, in support of the national dance community, by inviting choreographers of note, as well as up-and-coming choreographers who show special promis e, to participate in this project. Ms Lynch elaborated “I was extremely pleased with the caliber of the artists and the work presented in the first year. The choreographers involved were investigating new processes and ways to make dance and developed interesting contrasts in their work.  I'm  looking forward to the creative process in July and anxious to begin work.”  

The NCI was born out of a desire by a group of community leaders in Orange County to expand Southern California's role in the national dance community. With his strong history of presenting dance in California, Douglas C. Rankin, president of Irvine Barclay Theatre, was approached about the Barclay presenting the performance aspect of the initiative. Mr. Rankin reports that the Barclay is glad to lend its support to this project. "Having seen last year's results, not only does the project contribute something significant to the national dance scene, but culminates in a totally engaging concert that discerning patrons truly embraced." 

The choreographers invited by Ms. Lynch to participate in the National Choreographers Initiative come from a variety of backgrounds and are leaders in the dance community. Many of them are nationally recognized, and their ballets have been performed throughout the United States by a variety of prominent dance companies. The choreographers that participated in the 2004 NCI project were: Peter Pucci, Ann Marie DeAngelo, James Sewell, and Lynne Taylor-Corbett. Ms. Lynch is currently developing a core of artists for 2005 and expects to announce the participating choreographers by March 2005. 

The process for the National Choreographers Initiative begins with a three-week rehearsal period that takes place in the dance studios at the University of California, Irvine. Development of new ballets by the choreographers will culminate in a performance of new works at Irvine Barclay Theatre on July 23. Each choreographer is given complete freedom to choose the style and theme of the work. Artistic Directors from dance companies around the country have been contacted for their input and involvement and will be invited to attend, meet the choreographers, and preview the new works for possible inclusion in their company's repertoire. [The choreographers retain the right to promote and license the works they have created to other companies.]  

Fifteen to sixteen professional dancers from across the country will again be invited to participate in this initiative based on their ability to work with diverse choreographers. Dancers will be chosen through an open application/audition process. Audition dates are expected to be announced in January 2005. 

Major funding for the National Choreographers Initiative is provided in part by The Gillespie Foundation, and the NCI Advisory Committee whose members include Anne Nutt, Janet Eggers, Barbara Kenady, Lois Osborne, Barbara Roberts, Sally Anne Sheridan, Pam Shue and  Elizabeth Stahr, Irvine Barclay Theatre in association with the UCI Dance Department, as well as a broad base of individual donors. To get involved or for more information about NCI call (949) 675-4579. 

Click links below to view previous Press Releases
Read 2005 Press release
Read 2006 Press release

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