Martha's Vineyard Hosts World Choreography Institute Inaugural Year Think Tank, 5/23-5/28

World Choreography Institute, a new organization directed by Wendy Taucher, is holding its Inaugural Year Think Tank on Martha's Vineyard, at the Noepe Center for Literary Arts from May 23 to May 28, 2013. World Choreography Institute is dedicated to 'advocacy and education for the art of choreography'. The vision of this unique organization is deliberately cross-genre, dealing with choreographic principals and challenges that are common to all live dance vocabularies, from ballet to modern to Broadway and beyond. The theme for the inaugural year is 'defining choreography'. Seeking to propel thoughtful, creative dialogue and action which advances creativity in the field, WCI is creating workshops, seminars and lecture demonstrations geared to three groups: professionals in the dance world, students and the general public. The design of these activities will be based on the thinking and input of the Inaugural Year Think Tank participants. In addition, the WCI team will publish its first annual Choreography Folio in early 2014, with on-line and print versions created under the umbrella of Arts & Ideas, Patrick Phillips publisher.

Distinguished artists participating in the Martha's Vineyard May Think Tank are Edward Villella, one of Balanchine's most beloved and well-known dancers, David Dorfman, Guggenheim awardee, Sarah Frank television and radio producer, Lori Klinger, Executive Director of Rosie O'Donnell's Theater Kids, Karine Plantandit, soloist with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Broadway star, Claire Porter, spoken word choreographer, Jock Soto, long-time principal dancer of New York City Ballet and faculty member of School of American Ballet, Lynne Taylor-Corbett, Tony Award nominee for directing and choreography, David Vaughan, Merce Cunningham's archivist, Linda Villella, champion Olympic skater and Dance Company executive and Carol Walker, Dean Emeritus of Purchase College School of the Arts. World Choreography Think Tank is coordinated by WCI's director Wendy Taucher. See addendum for bios of the participants.

An open-to-the-public World Choreography Think Tank event will be held Monday May 27, 2013 (Memorial Day) from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Noepe Center for Literary Arts (former Point Way Inn) at 104 Main Street, Edgartown, Martha's Vineyard. Attendees from the public will participate with Think Tank participants in choreographic brain-storming, analysis, conceptualizing direction for the organization as well as enjoying a Q&A with the Think Tank artists regarding their artistic lives. Curious and thoughtful island artists, visitors and general public are welcome. RSVP mandatory by Sunday May 26, by noon. RSVP by emailing worldchoreographyinstitute@gmail.com. For further information and questions, contact 646 872 7249.

Wendy Taucher Dance Opera Theater is the parent organization of World Choreography Institute. The company is in residence at the Laurie Beechman Theater in New York City's Times Square and at the Featherstone Center for the Arts on Martha's Vineyard. Taucher is currently creating a commissioned solo choreographer for Nora Chipaumire, a new kids and family opera in collaboration with Island Theater Workshop called Opera Rocks, an new opera based on the 1814 German Coast slaver revolt with Professor Jessica Harris called Uprising and is the Executive Producer of MV Productions Dan and Greg Martino's feature length documentary Scow: The Zen of Boat Building.

This year's Wendy Taucher Dance Opera Theater production Opera at Featherstone offering is L'italiana Re-Mix: Rossini's Take on Love, Sex & Disaster, in English & Italian, Condensed. Gala & Performance Friday August 2nd at 6 p.m., performances on Saturday August 3rd & Sunday August 4th at 6 p.m. rain or shine in the Featherstone Opera Tents. Tickets on sale now at www.ticketsmv.com or 646 872 7249. Wendy Taucher Dance Opera Theater's 2013 complete season schedule will be available on Monday May 27th.

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