277 Dance Project presents CARDBOARD STAGE A World Premiere

A multidisciplinary performance collective 277 Dance Project (Nicole Philippidis, Artistic Director) is proud to present their newest work Cardboard Stage, opening on Wednesday, March 8th, 2017 at 7:30pm at the Abrons Arts Center (466 Grand Street, New York, NY 10002). The piece, conceived and choreographed by Nicole Philippidis in collaboration with the designer/filmmaker Jennifer Klein and award-winning musician Johnny Philippidis, will be on view for a limited three-night engagement. Tickets are $20 and can be purhased online at277danceproject.brownpapertickets.com or at the door.

Cardboard Stage is an gritty work combining dance, film and music. It is a product of a two-year experimental collaboration in urban immersion between different artists. Deeply rooted in Nicole Philippidis' interest in urban social issues, it explores the shifting social complexities of self-perception. Drawing from the artist's own personal experiences as a native New Yorker, the piece is an examination of the challenges facing the individual seeking self-worth and meaning within a power-driven society.

Original music and sound score for Cardboard Stage was created by Nicole's brother John Philippidis (Burlap to Cashmere). It captures the mood of a grey mechanical world of the inner city, adding splashes of color with rhythmical percussion, keyboard, and guitar. Parts of the soundtrack will be performed life by the artist.

Nicole Philippidis' expressive choreography is performed against the backdrop of video imagery created by Jennifer Klein who has been collaborating with the company on this project since its very inception in 2015.

The six-person cast includes longtime company members Mika Yanagihara and Julien Frei as well as dancers making their debut with 277 Dance Project: Brynt Beitman, Randy Burd, Elisa Schreiber, and Emily Tellier.

Choreography: Nicole Philippidis

Film: Jennifer Klein

Music and Soundscape: John Philippidis

Watch video trailer: vimeo.com/192133103

Under the direction of Artistic Director/Choreographer Nicole Philippidis, 277 Dance Project creates emotionally driven work, exploring the balance between chaos and stillness, the

intersection of lives, and the eternal struggle to connect and to survive. We begin making work from an idea or a thematic strand, which over time branches out into multiple thoughts, to be explored and deconstructed until the work takes on a shape in the physical and imaginative space. We work with both improvisational and fixed material and identify the relationship between movement, soundscape, and film. Through the process, we uncover and highlight the very essence of empathy- what makes us care for other people, feel compassion, love, responsibility, and loss. What makes us human? www.277danceproject.com

Nicole Philippidis is the Choreographer and Artistic Director of 277 Dance Project.

Throughout her professional dance training, she has intensely studied Limón and Cunningham technique, as well as Simonson Jazz. She has danced with choreographers Geraldine Cardiel, Alan Danielson, and Deborah Santos, all of who have greatly influenced her unique movement style. Apart from her passion for dance and choreography, she is also an active filmmaker. Nicole's work has been presented at Dixon Place, Baryshnikov Arts Center, Triskelion Arts, Westchester Arts Exchange, Westchester Music Hall, Purchase College, Dance New Amsterdam, DanceNOW at Joe's Pub, DanceNOW RAW, Inception to Exhibition Festival, Reverb/Steps Festival, Wave Rising Series, Cool NY Festival, and ITE/Bryant Park Dance Festival.

Jennifer Klein's diverse creative air has come to the fore as a photographer, combining her skills learned while working as a set designer in the early days, under the wing of such design greats as Tony Walton both on Broadway and on various films. Klein combines her unique style by shaking all the tools in a box and articulating the essence of a situation with excitement, grit, style and a touch of humor. In a world so often characterized by soulless automatons she brings an energy and enthusiasm to the field. Her love of the human character in its various conditions is reflected in her work. Her film, photos, and design display her enthusiasm to innovate and experiment, and often portrays just the essence of a situation through abstraction. Jennifer Klein was born in South Africa, lived in England where she obtained a first class honors degree in 3D design from Kingston University, she now resides and works in the Bronx and Woodstock New York.

John Philippidis (aka Johnny Philipps) is a musician and composer. He is one of the founders of indie folk band Burlap to Cashmere and tours nationally and internationally. He has recorded records with Lateral View and Sony artist Danielle Evin. Worked with legendary Producer Jack Douglas , Michael Brauer, and Jay Mesina, Touch film and media, including VH1 and MTV have used his works. Johnny has worked with director Brett Leonard, starring in "The Other Country". He has a passion for soundscape art and creates work with dance media company 277 Dance Project.

www.277danceproject.com