“One of the most musically erudite and articulate dance-makers around.”—The New Yorker

Christopher Caines Dance presents the premiere of listen out loud / move to keep things whole, a full-company ballet that re-examines conceptions of women as dancers—femininity, the iconic image of the ballerina, the musical and symbolic meanings of pointe work—exploring themes of girlhood aspiring to womanhood, blindness and insight, women’s intimacies and solitude. “I seek to highlight the dancers’ power, their brave vulnerability, their everyday heroism—how, in words by the poet Mark Strand that inspired one of the ballet’s musical scores, women ‘move to keep things whole’.”—Christopher Caines

The ballet comprises two scores by Pauline Oliveros, including her Tuning Meditation (sung by the audience), in which the composer urges us to “listen out loud.” A commissioned score, Four Sonnets, by singer Alison Taylor Cheeseman, sets poems from across five centuries by and about women; while three chamber works by composer Paul Kerekes showcase his signature juxtaposition of fiercely syncopated rhythms with pools of suspended tranquility.

The program also includes a guest appearance by The Bang Group, in a New York premiere by David Parker, a recent revival by James Waring, and a new duet by Amber Sloan with dancer Joshua Tuason.

CLICK HERE for TICKETS and INFORMATION
Advance sales: $35 premium seating; $25 general; $20 students with ID/children
At the door: $40 premium seating; $30 general; $25 students with ID/children

DANCERS: Elisa Toro Franky, Silken Kelly, Mayu Oguri, Jacob Taylor, Amanda Treiber, Michelle Vargo
With students from the New York Theatre Ballet School: Charlotte Anub, Clara Rodrigues-Cheung (May 18, June 1), Aaliyah Diaz, Madeline Goodwin, Alexa Hen, Emely Rivas, Keilany Rivera

MUSICIANS: Alison Taylor Cheeseman, mezzo-soprano; Kelley Barnett, flutes; Eric Umble (May 18) & Vicente Alexim (May 23, June 1), clarinets; Marija Ilic, piano

Lighting design by Philip Sandstrom    Costume design by two-time Tony Award nominee Gregory Gale

Produced by Can’t Sleep, Inc. and Philip Sandstrom