The Dance Complex Presents CATALYSTS For Three Weekends In January

For a second year, 2016-17 CATALYSTS! artists-in-residence will perform at The Dance Complex for three weekends in January. This year's artists, Ryan P. Casey, Lorraine Chapman, Junichi Fukuda, Yosi Karahashi, and Doppelgänger Dance Collective (DDC): Danielle Davidson and Shura Baryshnikov, represent classic and hybrid forms including tap, modern, and flamenco. CATALYSTS performances, which will run in repertory and highlight 4 - 5 performers per night, are Saturday, January 14, 8 pm; Sunday, January 15, 7 pm; Friday, January 20, 8 pm; Saturday, January 21, 8pm; Sunday, January 22, 7pm; Friday, January 27, 8pm; and Saturday, January 28, 8pm. Tickets are general admission $30 cabaret tables, $24 regular, and $18 student, BDA members, and military. For tickets and more information visit, dancecomplex.org.

This year's CATALYSTS selections reflect both expansive and unique talent, as well as demonstrating individual self-motivation in making dance a reality. Now halfway through their rehearsal process, each artist's work will reflect dynamic themes, approaching their subject matter as a starting point for inspiring dance presentations:

Ryan P. Casey will perform excerpts from a piece titled "Unbound." It follows a high school student reluctantly attempting his summer reading assignment: an essay on Little House on the Prairie. When the book fails to capture his interest, his imagination takes over, and the words and characters leap from the page to the stage.

Lorraine Chapman's "Big In The Big Top" is a study, in several working sections, composed of raw material. By no means trying to make a political statement, the material in itself is a catalyst for the performers to explore their feelings about the state of current events in our country today. The role that duality plays in society is also examined - the putting on of one face over another.

Doppelgänger Dance Collective with Danielle Davidson and Shura Baryshnikov will perform a piece by Alissa Cardone. Her work for Doppelgänger Dance Collective is inspired by the collages of Dadaist photomontage artist Hannah Höch. Exploring this source material, Cardone uses image-based movement as a jumping off point to explore vocabularies and approaches found in butoh, release technique, and physical theater. With the physicality and theatricality of the dancers uncovered, two distinct characters emerge and move in relationship to self, other, present and past.

Junichi Fukuda is choreographing No More Mendacity. Set around Boston Conservatory students, the piece reflects on the physical and emotional states of being truthful to yourself. The work concentrates on discovering honesty and rawness of being truthful. No more rounding, avoiding and hiding.

Yosi Karahashi's piece shares her personal dream of being a Flamenco dancer through a musical movement journey from Japan to Spain to the United States.

(Photo Credit: The Dance Complex)

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