Chen Dance Center Announces Newsteps Series Next Month

The CHEN DANCE CENTER continues to provide opportunities for young choreographers to present their works with the upcoming "newsteps," December 6-8 at Chen Dance Center, 70 Mulberry Street, Chinatown. The six choreographers selected for the December event are Allison Plamondon, Keith Comley, Lucas Klinge, Elisabeth Archer, Javier Padilla and Caitlin Javech.

Selected through an open audition by judges H.T. Chen, Walter Rutledge, Elizabeth Keen and Lance Westergard, each choreographer will receive a stipend, free rehearsal space at the Chen Dance Center, and three public perfomances in the Center's theater.

Keith Comley's "Untitled Piece" looks into thequest for identity perfection and self acceptance;

Allison Plamondon has created a post apocalyptic love duet;

Lucas Klinge's solo "I Think We Should Talk," takes a self-indulgent look inside our minds and mouths;

Javier Padilla presents "Pastoral," a group dance that says that, when disaaster strikes, we must all unite;

Elisabeth Archer's trio recognizes the untapped power of women, both in dance and everyday life;

Caitlin Javech's "Silent Stories: UNKNOWN" takes a dive into the inner self and the parts that remain unseen and unheard.

Floridian Keith Comley received a BA in theater and a double minor in Graphic Design and Fine Art from Flagler College. He returns for his second appearance on newsteps.

Allison Plamondon, originially from Alberta Canada, has staged numerous musical theater shows in Canada and around the U.S.

Lucas Klinge is a recent graduate of the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY/Purchase, where he received his BFA with a choreographic concentration.

From Puerto Rico, Javier Padilla trained at home and at the Mason Gross School of the Arts. His choreography has been seen in numerous venues around NYC.

Elisabeth Archer, from Alabama, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the Conservatory of Dance at SUNY/Purchase, and currently teaches wee ones at Chen Dance Center.

Caitlin Javech attended the New World School of the Arts in her native Florida, and also trained and performed at Hubbard Street Dance Chicago and at The Juilliard School.

ABOUT THE CHEN DANCE CENTER

Chen Dance Center supports the development of dance by providing a professional theater space in which artists of high caliber receive production support and visibility to New York audiences. The Theater also hosts H.T. Chen and Dancers' annual educational series for schools group and Teahouse performances for family audiences, as well as providing affordable rehearsal space and a venue for community events.

Chen Dance Center is comprised of three components: a performing arts SCHOOL, a black-box THEATER for modern dance, and its resident dance company H.T. CHEN & dancers. Chen Dance Center is supported by the New York State Council on the Arts, New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, and The Harkness Foundation for Dance.

www.chendancecenter.org