ART.IF.ACT  DEBUT LEAVES US SPEECHLESS BEYOND WORDS

The level of achievement for Tucson's dance community was raised several steps Thursday evening, Oct. 22, with the world premier debut of the Art.If.Act Dance Project. Co-founders Claire Hancock and Ashley Bowman introduced no less than five new works, each one markedly different from the others, in a milestone event in the Stevie Eller Dance Theatre at the University of Arizona.

Not content to just push on the envelope and think outside the box, Bowman and Hancock are creating a new form of fusion choreography, blending elements of ballet, modern, lyrical and jazz. Dancing in every kind of footwear from high heels to bare feet (but no toe shoes), the dancers also added theatrical elements that enhanced the visual aspects of their creativity.

There is lots more at work here than just innovative movement. A full two-hour program of nine complete pieces often gave equal importance to the playing of several classically trained musicians. It is a stated mission of Art.If.Act to make the players as important as the dancers. And to use music exclusively from the classical repertoire.

A couple of times, musicians carrying violins and violas would walk across the stage while the dancers were still performing. These deliberate walk-ons became a part of the choreography.

Another twist was to have one piece performed in a plain-spoken way with all the backstage beams and gridwork exposed for all to see. Artistically, the impact was to make the choreography feel more honest and direct, uncluttered by artifice.

Then there were the two experimental films. Hancock and Bowman both contributed pieces running several minutes each. Hancock used silhouettes and overlapping voices to create the mental atmosphere of watching moveable Rorschach ink blot tests. (At least that's what it looked like to me.)

Bowman's film was more literal, portraying the heartbreak of true love among the living dead. Without dialogue, wearing Mardi Gras tatters and painted skull faces, the dancer/actors projected imaginative, intensely executed expressions of frustration and joy in a downtown  setting of crumbling adobe casas forgotten by time itself.

Every member of the audience will be filling in different details to suit their own personalities. The whole concert is completely accessible for non-dance fans as well, filled with finely executed performances worthy of any audience

Actually, there is so much artistic depth here, the concert needs to have a longer run so more people can share the passion and excitement of this new Tucson dance company. The performance at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, is the end of the run. There won't be another concert performance for Art.If.Act until next Spring.

So bookmark this innovative dance company's website, www.artifactdanceproject.com and keep checking back on what's coming up next.Because we know for sure, this is one group worthy of your support.

Tickets for Friday's concert are $20 general admission, with group discounts. Student rush tickets for $12 go on sale an hour before each performance. For details, www.artifactdanceproject.com or phone 520-780-6879.

Our earlier feature on the creative approach to dance of Ashley Bowman and Claire Hancock is posted on the Dance Reviews page.

Edit this page (if you have permission) |

Google Docs -- Web word processing, presentations and spreadsheets.