Choreographer Michele Elliman Adds Steps to Shakespeare Now thru 6/30 at Pinkney Park

The choreographer for Shakespeare's on the Sound's production at Pinkney Park in Rowayton today, June 13-30, is Michele Elliman of Darien whose theatrical biography in dance spans 30 years and three continents.

Elliman is creating two set dance sequences and two smaller selections supporting the vision of transformation that director Claire Shannon Kelly of New Canaan is imparting to The Bard's pastoral comedy.

In a play where all of the 14 parts call for some level of singing and dancing and even a degree of musicianship, only one cast member has formal training in the discipline of dance.

"The approach is different working with actors rather than dancers," Elliman says. "But everyone in this cast is willing to throw themselves into it."

Elliman's choreography enhanced "Wise Women Speak," a documentary nominated for an Academy Award in 2012. In New York she was a co-founder of Neo Labos Dancetheater. She performed with The Creation Company avant-garde troupe, where she originated numerous roles, and toured nationally and internationally as a featured soloist with the New York-based Nina Wiener Dance Company. She has also lectured at the University of Tokyo in Japan and her work has been presented in Mexico, Canada and the dance centers of Europe.

In addition to Elliman, Emily Bryan, the theater's director of education, is also a Darien resident. So is Kristina Lew, a member of the theater's apprentice company who is studying stage management.

Shakespeare's infinitely pleasurable and exceedingly rich interpretation of human behavior unfolds under the stars in the park without an admission charge but with a suggested donation of $20 or $10 for seniors and students. Reserved seating is also available for $50. The curtain goes up at 7:30 nightly and the theater is dark Mondays.

Additional information is available by calling (203) 299-1300 or online at www.shakespeareonthesound.org.

(Photo by Caroline Sperry Leonard)

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