Emotions Dance Rehearsal

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Emotions Dance Company is rehearsing for the premiere of “Art Evolution“, a collaborative arts experience. Larissa Humiston the Emotions founder and choreographer invited me to be a part of the experience.  At first I thought I would do a series of sketches of the rehearsals but it is a long drive to the dance studio, and I try to reserve Sundays as family time.

Art Evolution is inspired by the famous works of well-known artists such as Leonardo da Vinci, Salvador Dali, Andy Warhol, Vincent Van Gogh, Degas and more. Audiences will experience live contemporary dance by Emotions Dance Company, including a piece created by special guest choreographer, Genevieve Bernard of Voci, and spoken word poetry by artists such as Jessie Bradley, Mark Harriott and more.

I love the idea that the dance is inspired by famous paintings so I’ve started a series of paintings that show the dancers as part of the paintings. For instance the dancers gestures are evocative of the spiraling night sky in Van Gogh’s Starry Night. Video reference of the rehearsals is giving me the luxury of picking gestures that work best for my paintings. In all there will be ten paintings I need to complete that will be displayed at the Shakespeare theater during the show. I’ll likely make affordable gift cards from the series of paintings as well.

 This contemporary dance, visual art, and spoken word collaboration will
be performed twice: Friday, June 13 and Saturday, June 14, 2014, at 8
p.m. at The John and Rita Lowndes Shakespeare Center’s Mandell Theatre (812 E. Rollins
St. Orlando).

Pre-sale tickets for the performance are $18 for General Admission and
$14 for Students/Seniors and will be on sale starting May 1 and will be
available through June 5. After that, tickets can be purchased at the
door for $20 General Admission or $15 for Students/Seniors.

Fringe, dis|CONNECTED

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Larissa Humiston of Emotions Dance Company asked me if I would be up to do a cameo appearance at her Fringe show titled dis|CONNECTED. I needed to show up at the Silver Venue at 8:30PM on the first evenings performance and she would fill me in at that time.

In a world full of technology meant to bring us together, why are we
still so detached from the people around us? In dis|CONNECTED, Emotions
Dance will explore the forces that cause us to disengage and the eternal
ties that remain, pulling us back into relationship with one another
and allowing us to connect within ourselves.

Larissa greeted me and walked me back stage before the performance. I was to walk center stage about midway through the show and two dancers would dance around me.  It sounded simple enough. As I waited to go on, I sketched. The dancers only had a few minutes to stretch and warm up to perform. The venue opened and I noticed people making their way to the seats. Terry was in the audience and she reported that there were perhaps 25 people there. Fringe producer Michael Marinaccio had earlier explained that the first night of Fringe was usually the slowest. He had scheduled all local acts the first night figuring the performers could drum up an audience of friends and family via social media. The dancers lamented that it would be depressing if there were more dancers than audience members. A reviewer could be in the audience however so they needed to give it their all.

The lights blazed and the dancers were on. I could only see occasional legs and arms from my position in the wings. The black wing curtains fractured my view. Besides I was still working on the sketch of dancers stretching. The song, “Addicted to Love” came on and Larissa nudged me on stage. I walked center stage still working on my sketch. Two dancers began a high stakes cat fight over me. I raised an eyebrow shrugged and returned to my sketch as they clawed at each other and competed for attention. I heard laughter in the audience so I suspect the moment was entertaining. The dancers flew off stage still fighting leaving me still standing center stage sketching. When the lights blacked out, I walked off stage. In the wings the dancers gave me a high five.

Seeing dance from the wings is entirely different than watching as an audience member. I have a renewed sense of awe for how hard these women work. When they come off stage they are completely spent and gasping for air. They have only a few minutes to recover before they have to go right back out again. Between dance numbers dancers walked around the stage holding signs that
had life affirming notes and doubts much like the woman who announces
boxing rounds. One piece had audio of boxing and sports coaches talking about athletes who have to give their all and then push even further. That is standard practice for Emotions Dancers.

When:

Monday May 20th at 8:00PM

Thursday May 23rd at 9:15PM

Friday May 24th at 11:15PM

Saturday May 25th at 12:45AM

Sunday May 26th at 2:15PM

Where:

Silver Venue at the Rep

Tickets:

$11 plus a Fringe Button

Emotions Dance Audition

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On February 26th, Larissa Humiston, the Artistic Director of Emotions Dance, held an open audition for dancers at Turning Pointe Dance Studio (470 E Lake Brantley Dr. Longwood, FL).

Emotions Dance was seeking professional level dancers (age 18 and over) to audition for their 2013 season. the dance company requires strong technical dancers willing to take artistic risks.

The audition began with all the dancers at the ballet barre.  Emotions Dance cast participated in all the exercises along with the ten or so dancers who were auditioning. Several male dancers were auditioning as well. Larissa stood at the front of the room demonstrating the exercises she wanted everyone to do. The ballet barres were moved aside and then small groups of dancers did progressions across the floor with turns and jumps, a contemporary dance combination, and improvisational movement inspired by “Apologies” by Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. One of the male dancers asked what the song was about. Larissa explained that the female singer was apologizing for a messy break up. The dancer wanted to know if he should be expressing the emotions of the female singer or the guy she was breaking up with. The hurt and fear is universal.

Dancers came prepared with a professional resume and head shot. There was a $10 audition fee to cover insurance and processing fees. One dancer had not renewed her contract which meant another dancer had to learn her routine in a mad rush before a performance a week away. Emotions Dance had three spots open for females, three spots open for males, and one apprentice (between ages 12-18) spot available. I was still working on my sketch as the cast and Larissa discussed the performances by the dancers that auditioned. The bar is set high and not every dancer has that expressive spark that is hard to define but is instantly recognized when the magic is there.

Upcoming Emotions Dance performances include…

April 6, 2013 – HATCH Series in NYC

May 7, 2013 – Relay for Life Event

May 15-28, 2013 – Orlando Fringe

June 1 & 8, 2013 – Element Earth

Moulin Rouge Gala- A Show Extravaganza

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I went to the Winter Park Community Center, (721 West New England Ave. Winter Park), on December 2nd to the Moulin Rouge Gala. I felt it was important that an artist be at the Gala. Toulouse Lautrec wouldn’t have passed on the opportunity. Every two years Le Salon Zizou works with a local charity and other participates to put together a combination of hair, fashion and entertainment to raise money for charity. This year they worked with the Disability Wellness Center in Sanford to help raise money for the EKSO suit for paraplegics. There are ONLY 20 world wide and this will be HUGE for Central Florida to have the first EKSO suit used for physical therapy when the other 20 are used for studies.

When I arrived, the dancers from Emotions Dance got on stage to loosen up and get used to the size of the stage. Larissa Humiston stood in front of the stage to let them know what worked and what didn’t. After them, a woman performed solo with Hula hoops and large geometric forms that she spun above her head. The ceiling was rather low which resulted in her crashing the huge cube shape into the ceiling beam. A singer discussed her song with the DJ. People in wheel chairs took to the stage. Blinking lights were on the chairs making for quite a display. Then negotiated the stage in a pre-planned choreography.

The twenty or so models arrived with outlandish hair stylings. I noticed model Jenny Coyle, from Sketchy Broads, with her hair bundled up in three huge Princess Lea buns. Le Salon Zizou, in association with the West Orlando Rotary Club, presented their 3rd annual Charity Hair Spectacular.  The real highlight of the evening came when Sarah Anderson got on stage with her wheel chair. With an assistant to spot her, she strapped herself into the EKSO Suit. As she did so, she talked about the day in 2003 when she lost her ability to walk. She was skiing that day and for whatever reason, she had an ominous feeling that she shouldn’t be on the mountain that day. Regardless, a horrible fall on the slope resulted in her becoming a paraplegic. Doctors told her that she would never walk again. She leaned forward and raised herself from the wheel chair.  She walked across the stage as the servos, gyros and computerized pistons responded to her weight shifts allowing each step in succession. Sarah stood onstage during the auction and the bidding got heated. “Never say never!”

Emotions Dance

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Emotions Dance performed at the Fringe outdoor stage. I waited at The Daily City tent until they arrived. I finally saw a dancer stretching her legs using the temporary containment fencing as a ballet barre. Larissa Humiston, the dance companies founder gave the dancers a quick pep talk, and then it was time for the show. Larissa explained to the audience that the first dance piece was about a failed relationship. Amanda Miller and Courtney Coad were the dancers. As always the modern dance  was beautifully choreographed and full of emotion. I sketched Cortney when she turned her back to her partner and Amanda lay prostrate in desolation. I ended up sketching Amanda a second time as she stood gripping a curtain prior to another dance routine.

As I was finishing up my sketch, Amanda Miller and Jovan Davis asked to see what I was working on. Jovan seemed to be a real fan of my work. He bubbled with excitement. Terry joined in and said jokingly to the couple, “Back away from the artist.” She steered the conversation for a few minutes till I considered the sketch done. Amanda then explained to me that she became over heated during one of the dance routines. By now Larissa had joined the conversation and she said to Amanda, “Yea, I saw that look on your face.” Even with a few dry heaves, the show went on. No one in the audience, including myself, had any idea. The Emotions Dancers always perform “all out”.

Larissa has begun to organize dance workshops with world renowned dancers at Turning Point dance studios. This dance company continues to astound me.

Red Chair Affair Rehearsal

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As I approached the Bob Carr Performing Arts Center the sun was beginning to set, illuminating the clouds a deep crimson red. The guard at the stage door asked if I was a performer. I decided to say, “Yes”. She pointed me to the dressing rooms. I wandered the back stage halls searching for any sketch opportunity. Stage hands raised and lowered two shrouds which I suspect will be used by an Orlando Aerial Arts acrobat. I tried to stay clear as curtains were raised and lowered. The director John Di Donna offered me a seat on the front of stage right. After listening to the director’s notes I now finally have stage right and house right straightened out in my mind.

A woman in a sleek black dress kept tapping the stage with her toes listening to the sound difference between the main stage and the temporary stage built over the orchestra pit. It turned out she was a Flamenco dancer and she was one of the first to perform. Her bright red shawl was removed from her neck as she danced. It fluttered to the ground. When her performance was over, John walked up to the cameraman seated in front of me and said, “I loved your close ups on her feet as she danced.”

I sketched the Orlando School of Cultural Dance. The school’s director, Julie Coleman lead the singing. Drums set the beat to an African Rhythm. Young children danced to the beat pushing themselves in a vibrant dance. Eric Yow introduced his dance company, Yow Dance saying, “Rhythm is the one constant in life.” His dancers moved to the strumming of an acoustic Spanish guitar piece. Emotions Dance performed a piece called 5th Avenue which was about materialism in modern society. Larissa Humiston, the company’s founder and choreographer hoped the dance might spark discussion. She also pointed out that, “Art brings people together.”

The Red Chair Affair is a great way to see what is happening in the Orlando Arts and Culture scene all in one evening of non-stop performances. The Affair is happening TONIGHT at the Bob Carr. The doors open at 7pm and the stage show starts at 8pm. General admission is $22, students and seniors are $15. There is still time to get tickets, call 407-872-2382. You can also get tickets at the Red Chair website.

Emotions Dance Rehearsal

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When the dancers got into the main dance hall they started by using ballet dance bars. I was pleased to see several men involved in the class. Apparently in Orlando male dancers are in short supply. The dancers were then split into groups and each group moved across the room showing off the dance moves they had just learned. It was hard enough to get the mechanics down, but Larissa stressed that the dancers had to follow through, with expressive emotion being the most important goal. Music was turned up high and I tapped my foot as they all danced to “Evacuate the Dance Floor!” The class was also an ongoing audition so dancers gave their all hoping that they could make the cut. When a particularly difficult combination was being worked out, Larissa asked Dion Smith to do the piece solo. Her performance was stunning and expressive. Larissa didn’t need to explain what Dion did right, the point was obvious and clear.

When the class was over, the core group of Emotions Dancers stayed behind to do a full run through of a piece they will be performing at the Bob Carr for the Red Chair Affair. When the performance was over, the dancers were all exhausted, sweaty and spent. I had stopped sketching and enjoyed the dance uninterrupted. Amazing.

Emotions Warm Up

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Larissa Humiston the choreographer and founder of Emotions Dance hosts a contemporary dance class every Tuesday evening at 9pm at Turning Point A Dance Studio (470 E Lake Brantley Dr. Longwood, FL). When I arrived dancers were stretching in the hallway since an aerobic dance class was going on in the main dance hall. Several of the dancers had a serious sunburn. I suspect the dancers as a group had an adventure in the great outdoors. Amanda Miller, one of the dancers asked that I not sketch the bandage around her thigh. Since they were all in constant motion, it would have been hard to catch that detail anyway.

Larissa had all the dancers go into a smaller room where they stretched and warmed up. There were actual bleachers in the hallway and a glass wall for spectators like myself. I sat next to one of the dancer’s boyfriends and started sketching. The class offered intermediate to advanced contemporary dance. Contemporary dance fuses lyrical, modern, ballet and jazz dance to give dancers the ultimate in body technique and overall artistry. The class included ballet barre, across the floor with jumps and turns and a contemporary combination with improvisational movement. The class was just $10 and offered the chance to dance beside some of the most expressive dancers in Orlando.

Poetry in Motion

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I went to Starz Dance Studio on 436 in Casselberry, to see one of the final rehearsals before “Poetry in Motion” hits the stage at the Winter Park playhouse. When I walked in, Larissa Humiston, the choreographer and founder of Emotions Dance, welcomed me and made sure all the dancers knew who I was. Dancers were filling out paper work committing themselves to Nude Nite in February and Element Earth in April. Larissa surprised the dancers when she announced that they would not be doing a run through of the whole show. One dancer expressed concerns as her face flushed red. She was visibly upset . She pointed out that the show was only three days away. Larissa wanted to give the dancers a rest but she decided to put the issue up for a vote. She told the dancers to discuss and she stepped out into the hall. I was in the midst of a possible mutiny. Larissa re-entered the room before a final verdict was decided on. She joined the discussion and finally put it up for vote again. This time she told all the dancers to close their eyes and raise their hand to vote. Only two dancers wanted to run through the show.
Larissa lead the dancers in some warm up exercises and then spent the rest of the evening helping the dancers feel connected to one another like a family. She had all the dancers sit in a circle. She asked each dancer to then tell two truths about themselves and one lie. Everyone then had to guess the lie. Rather than hard work, they began to play and in the process learn about each other. Listening in as I sketched, I found out Larissa hates socks and likes tiny collectible things.
A second game involved the dancers picking one of four songs and then standing in a corner of the room designated for that song. No one went to the corner of the room where I happened to be sitting. Either the song sucked or the dancers didn’t want to stand near the creepy artist.
One of the songs assigned was Time Warp from the Rocky Horror picture show. The two dancers in that corner had 5 minutes to choreograph a dance routine to the music. The dance they came up with was lively and entertaining. There were the required hip thrusts but the rest of the routine was spontaneous and fun, performed with constant laughter. The other two songs offered equally fun and spontaneous results. The important thing was that everyone was laughing and having a great time. Worries about the big performance in three days were gone.
The last exercise that Larissa pulled out, was to have all the dancers walk as a group to the Mexican place right up the street. With my sketch finished, I packed up and went home.
Larissa manages to bring plenty of truth and sincerity to the choreography, with dancers who are committed to the performance and each other. Emotions Dance will be performing “Poetry in Motion” tonight (October 1) and tomorrow (October 2), at the Winter Park Playhouse (711 North Orange Avenue, Winter Park). Tickets are only $20. Tickets can be purchased online at www.emotionsdance.org with a credit card OR
From an Emotions Dance dancer or representative for cash or check OR
Cash or check the night of the performance (as long as tickets don’t sell out) Get your tickets NOW as they are going fast!