AXIS Dance Company to Perform at Ordway Center for the Performing Arts, 3/21

The Ordway Center for the Performing Arts announced today that AXIS Dance Company, one of the world's most acclaimed and innovative ensembles, will perform one night only on Friday, March 21 at 7:30 pm at the Ordway. Under the artistic direction of Judith Smith, the company of seven dancers-with and without disabilities-challenges the possibilities of movement, expanding and enriching the art form itself.

This remarkable performance will include "what if would you" by Victoria Marks, "Full of Words" by British choreographer Marc Brew and a new work by Amy Seiwert. Hailed by famed choreographer Bill T. Jones as the company that "showed me what dance could be," AXIS is a crown jewel of contemporary dance and disability culture.

Founded in 1987, the dance company has paved the way for a powerful contemporary dance form called physically integrated dance. In 1997, Artistic Director Smith led the company to new heights by expanding from in-house choreographers to various commissions from outside the company.

Since then, their performances have won numerous awards and the Company has toured extensively performing nationwide, as well as in Russia, Europe, and Siberia, in over 120 cities. AXIS also dramatically expanded its education and outreach programs creating Dance Access for Adults and Dance Access/KIDS!

"AXIS gives a powerful performance that opens eyes, defies perceptions and transcends contemporary dance," said Dayna Martinez, Ordway Artistic Director of World Music and Dance. "The company challenges the stereotypes of dance and what the body can do as well as the intricacies between the dancers in a way that mesmerizes you."

Amongst many honors, AXIS has received seven Isadora Duncan Dance Awards with equal number of nominations. Most recently, the Company was featured to great acclaim on an episode of FOX Television's series, So You Think You Can Dance! and filmed an episode for AOL's 'You've Got' Campaign. AXIS was one of 5 named 'Best Dance Companies in San Francisco' by CBS San Francisco (2011) and one of the Bay Area's top 10 high-impact arts nonprofits by Philanthropedia (2010).

Under Smith, the company has commissioned works by such movement innovators as Bill T. Jones, Stephen Petronio, Joe Goode, Victoria Marks, Ann Carlson, David Dorfman, Alex Ketley, Joanna Haigood, Sonya Delwaide, and Margaret Jenkins and worked with world-renowned composers Meredith Monk, Fred Frith and Joan Jeanrenaud. Additionally, AXIS' own choreographers have created numerous repertory works - expanding AXIS' repertory to over 75 works.

The Ordway is widely recognized as one of the nation's leading nonprofit performing arts centers and Saint Paul's most elegant and inviting performance space. The Ordway's Music Theater and soon-to-be completed Concert Hall attract diverse audiences with an array of productions showcasing the finest in American musical theater, world music, dance and vocal performance. Education and community engagement are integral to the Ordway's mission, with major initiatives including the annual Flint Hills International Children's Festival and Ordway Education programs that serve more than 50,000 students annually. The Ordway also sponsors the Saint Paul Conservatory for Performing Artists, a professionally guided academic and artistic environment that trains aspiring pre-professional performing artists. Together with The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Minnesota Opera and The Schubert Club, the Ordway is a member of the Arts Partnership and serves as the principal venue for their performances.

Photo by Andrea Basile

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