Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York, NY.
August 9, 2022.
Woman in Motion, NYC’s latest project-based dance firm, premiered its one-night-only present this summer season on the Alvin Ailey Theater to an almost sold-out home. Founded by Laura Kaufman and Rachel Thalman, the corporate was born of the concept to offer extra efficiency alternatives to dancers, and meld the worlds of musical theater and ballet.
The inaugural firm of 12 dancers offered works from each types of dance, in addition to up to date, in a program of 8 works, all premiers. In doing so, the corporate achieved its aim of manufacturing efficiency alternatives for freelance dancers. Woman in Motion seeks to showcase every dancer’s individuality and variety, and nurture the concept distinctive traits will add to the general richness of efficiency.
The program mirrored that need and supplied ballet, musical theater, and up to date within the type of group items, duets, and solos. Kaufman and Thalman had their first assembly simply three months earlier than the efficiency. For an organization to maneuver from conception to efficiency in such a short while is a giant aim, particularly given the challenges of working with all freelance artists wanted to create the various program. Woman in Motion makes use of 12 dancers and had 7 completely different choreographers for this primary present. According to Kaufman and Thalman, making all the assorted schedules work collectively was the most important problem.
The sold-out home enthusiastically welcomed the range, and the dancers appeared delighted to be performing; many had not been on a correct (learn: not outdoors in a park or on a road) in virtually three years as a result of pandemic. While most giant corporations had been capable of produce seasons as quickly because it was protected to take action, smaller corporations in NYC had a a lot more durable return to efficiency for quite a lot of causes – chief amongst them being how lengthy public studios had been shuttered attributable to metropolis and state mandates, and the problem of discovering out there theater house to hire.
Getting the present to the stage was one aim of the co-directors. The different aim was to particularly cater to the strengths of the dancers – not requiring them to suit right into a mildew. While many corporations have a method that dancers must study, Woman in Motion works the opposite manner round. This permits every dancer to really feel their most assured onstage, and it was obvious within the efficiency. On the day of the present, the theater buzzed with power from each the viewers and the performers as every welcomed again the enjoyment of dance.
Follow Woman in Motion on Instagram: @womaninmotionnyc.
By Emily Sarkissian of Dance Informa.
