Arch Contemporary Ballet to Stage New World Premiere

Arch Contemporary Ballet, in its mission to create an artistic process that enhances the connection between ballet and music, presents an alluring and emblematic world premiere Château by Artistic Director Sheena Annalise at Manhattan Movement & Arts Center on Saturday, November 7th at 7:00 p.m.

A rising pioneer for ballet and music, Annalise's bold and distinct style unveils unconventional lines of a dancer's body. This new work exposes and is inspired by Château de Fontainebleau's dark history and architectural intricacy, home to French ruling dynasties for eight centuries. Arch Sound Ensemble's string quartet plays a prominent role as they share the stage, moving among the dancers to represent the corridors and seemingly endless chambers of Château for the dancers as they play their commissioned and rich score. The evening length work will feature an ensemble of 12 dancers, 4 musicians, 100+ yards of fabric and a music score by Concetta Abbate.

"Arch Contemporary Ballet (ACB) challenges the past and launches into the future with new pointe work, new music, and new ideas about what ballet can be," remarks Annalise. "The choreography tests the framework of what a body can do, questioning classicism with partnering and pointe work, and explores the creative process by setting the dance before the music."

Conceived in February, the entire piece, like many of Annalise's works, was finished in silence before commissioning its original score. With the Arch Sound Ensemble sharing the stage with the dancers, they are essential to the ballets setting, spotlighting female partnering, and forming metaphorical walls of the Château. As movement progresses, the quartet establishes different chambers for the dancers to explore creating powerful symmetry and visual lines. Additionally, the work is embellished with lavish fabrics, draped from the rafters to the skirts of the dancers. This creates an additional dimension to the Parisian and historical backdrop layering the audience experience and the overall temperature and setting of the work.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION
Château will be performed one night only, Saturday, November 7th at 7:00 p.m.

General admission tickets are $25. Reserved patron seats are $35. Tickets can be purchased online at http://www.ticketfly.com/event/977185.