Core Dance Brings the Electricity of 'American Playground' and 'Two Room Apartment' to Houston Audiences, 2/15-2/17

Core Dance, the award-winning contemporary dance organization based in Houston and Atlanta, will present two recent works, "American Playground" created with internationally renowned Israeli choreographers Niv Sheinfeld and Oren Laor, and their own critically acclaimed duet, "Two Room Apartment," at 8 p.m. on February 15, 16, 17, 2018 at the MATCH.

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American Playground and Two Room Apartment

Israeli choreographers Niv Sheinfeld and Oren Laor return to Houston for the Texas premiere of "Two Room Apartment." On the same bill is the full-length version of "American Playground" featuring the dance artists of Core Performance Company.

"Ever since I saw the exciting and innovative work being created and performed in Israel, I wanted to bring these renowned performers to Houston," says Sue Schroder, Artistic Director of Core Dance.

"American Playground," an excerpt of which was seen at Miller Outdoor Theatre in 2016, is an exuberant work which investigates multiple themes central to the Sheinfeld/Laor repertoire including body and culture; the individual and the group; and the tension between culture and identity. Outfitted in athletic gear, the dancers connect with the audience as they address them directly, roam into the seats, and perform captivating solos or mesmerizing group sequences. Infused in the performance are the games of an American childhood including tag, circle games, Duck, Duck, Goose and others. Ultimately, connection drives the work and lets each dancer shine individually and alongside company members.

"Two Room Apartment" brings Sheinfeld and Laor to the stage for a duet that reflects on their relationship as partners in life and as creators. Both personal and political, the work examines boundaries in various contexts: physical borders such as between territories or between two rooms, but also non-physical borders between life and performance, and the boundaries that the individual sets for oneself. This work was chosen as the Best Performance of the Year by the Israeli Dance Critics' Circle in 2013.

On February 15, at the opening night reception prior to the performance, the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest will host; Consul General of Israel to the Southwest, Gilad Katz, will make welcoming remarks; Idan Schwartz, Cultural Attache of the Consulate General of Israel to the Southwest and Sue Schroeder, Artistic Director of Core Dance, will talk about the collaboration with the Israeli choreographers.

Core Dance

Core Dance was co-founded in 1980 in Houston, Texas, by dancer and choreographer Sue Schroeder and her sister, Kathy Russell. Five years later, the organization added Atlanta, Georgia, as a second home base. Core Performance Company, the professional contemporary dance company of Core Dance, is internationally recognized for its artistically driven research practices as well as its rigorous physicality.

Core Dance's 37th season in Houston is funded in part by the O Fund for New Work, Gwinnett Industries, Inc., Pattillo Construction Corporation, Houston Endowment Inc., the City of Houston through the Houston Arts Alliance, Texas Commission on the Arts, Cameron and Roberts Insurance Agency, and many generous individuals from the community.

The Core Dance presentation of AMERICAN PLAYGROUND and TWO ROOM APARTMENT opens at 8 p.m. on February 15, 2018. Performances continue through February 17, 2018. Opening night reception is at 7 p.m. prior to the performance. MATCH Houston. 3400 S Main Street. For information, please call 713-521-4533 or visit matchouston.org. Learn more about Core Dance at coredance.org.