Movement Invention Project Announces Francesca Harper as New Artistic Director

New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble (NJDTE) announces Francesca Harper, past member of Dance Theatre of Harlem, former principal dancer of William Forsythe's Frankfurt Ballet, and Broadway veteran, as the new director of the cutting-edge summer dance program Movement Invention Project (MIP).

Recently named by the leading dance industry website au-di-tions.com as one of Top 10 "Must Try" International, Contemporary Summer Dance Intensives in 2017, MIP continues to break new ground as it celebrates its tenth year and launches new leadership under Harper.

Under the leadership and supportive environment of MIP Artistic Director Francesca Harper and NJDTE Artistic Director Nancy Turano, dancers at MIP are encouraged to explore their own voice, and leave with vital improvisational tools and innovative skills to navigate technology and be on the pulse of global connectivity as artists and choreographers.

Says Harper of her new role, "As an artist, I have been drawn to both the physicality of dance and the use of technology as a medium and extension of my dance expression. I am looking forward to immersing myself into MIP's strong foundation and mission, while introducing and adding to the program new physical research elements and technologies that are integral for artists in the contemporary dance world."

In 2018, MIP will introduce a philosophy of "collaborative construction" to support experiential development and encourage dancers to investigate and courageously share their ideas. The program will also incorporate elements of dance video invention.

"I have known Francesca for 25 years, and watched her phenomenal career as a brilliant dancer, choreographer, director and mentor to countless dance artists. We are thrilled to welcome her as Artistic Director of MIP® 2018. She has a wealth of information to contribute, and creates a very positive and encouraging atmosphere that enables dancers to develop their own creative vision," Turano said.

Working with the groundbreaking choreographer William Forsythe for nearly a decade, Harper developed an ability to respond to ideas with what she calls "a spontaneous state of artistic fluidity."

"As an artist, it is essential to find this sense of immediacy as a dancer alongside collaborative skills, in order to contribute to the process of developing transformative art," she explained.

Since 2009, MIP has provided dancers ages 18-23 with three weeks of in-depth, process-oriented improvisation workshops and explorations. MIP encourages risk-taking, creativity, and the development of collaborative skills in a program that provides dancers invaluable opportunities to work with an extraordinary faculty of teachers, choreographers, and mentors in the heart of New York City.

New Jersey Dance Theatre Ensemble's forward-thinking programming empowers dancers with contemporary technologies as well as traditional dance forms. NJDTE, located in Summit, NJ, provides the highest quality, pre-professional training to aspiring dancers through professional experiences with world-renowned dancers, teachers, choreographers, and musicians. Founded in 1969 under the direction of internationally acclaimed ballet master Alfredo Corvino, and led by award-winning Artistic Director Nancy Turano since 1994, NJDTE has maintained a successful dance curriculum with an unparalleled outcome of artistic excellence. NJDTE has been acknowledged for creating innovative training and mentoring programs for dancers and choreographers in the New York City metro area, including MOVEMENT INVENTION PROJECT, MIP2, AiR contemporary choreographic residencies, and INKUBATE, a site-specific dance installation series at Reeves-Reed Arboretum in Summit, NJ. NJDTE mentors dancers toward higher education and professionalism in dance and provides its alumni with employment opportunities as NJDTE guest artists, faculty, choreographers and staff. Visit www.njdte.org for more information.

Francesca Harper is an internationally acclaimed multi-disciplinary artist. After being named Presidential Scholar in the Arts and performing at the White House, Francesca attended Columbia University studying philosophy and computer programming. She soon after joined the Dance Theater of Harlem's Second Company and the main Company the following year. Francesca performed soloist roles with the company including the Hostess in Bronislova Nijinska's Les Biches and as a Soloist in Swan Lake. She then began working with William Forsythe's Ballet Frankfurt, where she was promoted to Principal. Performances included leading roles and pas de deux in Herman Schmerman, In the Middle Somewhat Elevated, and Loss of Small Detail, amongst others. While a member of Ballet Frankfurt, Francesca was chosen to perform with designers Issey Miyake and Gianni Versace in shows in Paris and Milan, and in Miyake's film Dancing Pleats. As a member of Ballet Frankfurt, she choreographed her first full evening of work, Dark Violet Light Stone, commissioned by The Holland Dance Festival. A vocalist as well, Francesca was invited to record her first single, Slow Groove, and self-produced her own album, Modo Fusion.

The vastness of her artistry and hunger soon led her to theater and film, working with Anna Deavere Smith on many projects, and to Broadway for productions including Fosse, The Producers, All Shook Up, The Frogs and the Tony nominated treasure The Color Purple. She was a featured performer in Zinnias - The Life of Clementine Hunter directed by Robert Wilson, and toured Internationally with the production. Her TV appearances include Boardwalk Empire, David Letterman, and The Oprah Winfrey Show, and Francesca served as ballet consultant for the feature film Black Swan by Darren Aronofsky. Harper has choreographed works for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, Tanz Graz, Hubbard Street II, Dallas Black Dance Theater, and founded her own company The Francesca Harper Project in 2005.

Continuing to pursue her interest of technology and dance, Francesca received a Living History Award in 2013 during Black History Month from Long Island University, and the Innovation and Technology Award for her choreography for Fashion Week with designer Louis Vuitton. She also conceived, directed, choreographed, and produced the dance film M(y)ourstory: Chapter One that premiered at the Triskelion Dance Film Festival in 2017. Francesca was awarded a Fellowship at The Center for the Ballet and the Arts in 2017, as well as a Choreographic Fellowship from Urban Bush Women in 2017, supported by the Mellon Foundation. Her latest creations en pointe in 2017 for The Dance Theatre of Harlem in NYC and Bale da Cidade in Sao Paulo has received critical acclaim, being cited as "...revolutionary" by The Chicago Tribune, and possessing "...sensual beauty," by The New York Times.

Francesca's mother Denise Jefferson, director of The Alvin Ailey School for over 26 years and creator of the Ailey B.F.A program, served as an inspiration and mentor for Francesca's teaching work and giving back to the community. Francesca's one woman show based on the life of her mother, The Look of Feeling, premiered Off- Broadway in 2014 and was later performed at Impulstanze Festival, The Holland Dance Festival, and Germany's The Colors Festival.

Harper enjoys her appointment as an adjunct professor at New York University, was an Associate Professor at Barnard College, and continues the vital role of teacher and choreographer for The Ailey School, Fordham University's BFA Program, and the Susan Batson Studio. Francesca is a featured actress and singer in Punchdrunk's Sleep No More each week at The McKittrick Hotel in New York City. She is grateful for the daily opportunity to do what she loves and is passionate about inspiring others to live their dreams.