GET LOUD
Don’t expect to see the same show twice. The upcoming collaboration between Louder Than Words Dancetheatre (LTW), Playground Ensemble and Jeff Nycht at the Newman Center’s Elizabeth Eriksen Byron Theater in-the-round will not only have 21dancers but also live musicians working with pre-recorded and real-time created music during the 3-act performance. The juxtaposition of humans moving and creating will define your BREATH.
With over a year and half of planning, this collaboration will combine art and science as a means of discussing life. Ever complicated,our bodies are difficult to explain. Using the constructs of shape and sound coupled with an exploration of the nitrogen cycle and the lung as inside out tree, the upcoming performance will surely leave you wanting more.
Upon speaking with Chris Harris, LTW; Conrad Kehn, Playground Ensemble; Lacey Erb, LTW; and Jeff Nycht, composer; it was clear this is a group changing the dance/interdisciplinary art experience in Denver. All had varied education and an enthusiasm palpable.
Chris, a long-time choreographer has a unique background with undergraduate degrees in both architecture and dance. Her approach considers structuring space between the permanent and stable. When teaching and choreographing, she focuses on teaching trained dancers to stop being trained. The goal is to remove emotion and make it sculpture. Using multi-media, the audience is allowed to read the space. One of her greatest influences is Alwin Nikolais.
Jeff is a classically trained composer with over 30 years of acoustic vocal experience. He currently teaches at CU Boulder and runs the entrepreneurship center in the College of Music. He holds graduate degrees in both geology and music.
Conrad has a Masters in music and an MBA. Playground Ensemble began in 2006 and received its non-profit status in 2008. The modern chamber ensemble works with live composers and champions modern music giving audiences the ability to experience cross-disciplinary collaborations. The ensemble will be using pre-recorded music and overlay that with live performance.
LTW is a Denver-based dance company lead by Whit Ryan, Executive Director; Chris Harris, Artistic Director; and Lacey Erb, Technical Director Lighting Design. The project-based company held its first show in 1998 and has been producing work since.
BREATH will premiere on June 6 at 8p with follow-on performances June 8, 13and 14. Tickets can be purchased at the Newman Center Box Office, Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm, one hour prior to show time, online at http://tinyurl.com/ltwbreath or by calling 303.871.7720. For more information about LTW visit www.louderthanwordsdance.com.
W. Celeste Davis Stragand: Published author, showcased artist and local Denverite, W. Celeste Davis Stragand is not new to the art world. Her passion for delving into the root of existence and movement will challenge and praise both choreographers and the audience. A graduate of Texas A&M University, Celeste holds two bachelor of arts degrees, one in Chemistry and the other in English. She is also a graduate of Naropa University holding a Masters of Fine Arts in Writing and Poetics from the Jack Kerouac School of Disembodied Poetics. A former national slam team poet, Celeste is a graduate of the Downtown Denver Partnership Leadership Program and sits on the American Institute of Architects Colorado board. Her passion and enthusiasm for the kinetic arts will frolic and frenzy through the upcoming season of performances with many hopes for an encore!