3LD Art & Technology Center Presents World Premiere of THE ONLY TRIBE Starting 11/28

3LD Art & Technology Center presents the World Premiere of THE ONLY TRIBE beginning previews November 28. Conceived by Roland Gebhardt, this unique theatrical experience animates 80 geometric masks by Gebhart with choreography by Peter Kyle, video design by Reid Farrington, and music by Stephen Barber. Opening night is slated for December 3.

THE ONLY TRIBE is a fantasia that blends together masks, movement and sociology in an abstract interpretation of a short story by Rebecca Bannor-Addae. This mythical tale explores how identity creates relationships, stirs conflicting tribal identities, and leads to eventual chaos. The distinct geometric shapes of the masks are employed in an exploration of individual identity and the formation of group identities. Through ritualistic movement, sets of masks interact with lighting and projected images to conjure strong visual imagery while music and sound provide emotional contrast and congruency. THE ONLY TRIBE cannot be defined by style or ethnicity; rather, visual elements, sound and movement combine to create a unique theatrical experience.

Masks, particularly as they relate to individual and group identity, have long held a fascination for Roland Gebhardt. In 2005, Roland designed a series of 80 masks representing five distinct tribes. At a party, guests were given masks to wear and the masks came to life, endowed with the invented character of each guest. This social event brought to light the dramatic possibilities of using these masks as the basis for a performance piece. And THE ONLY TRIBE was born. For more information, visit www.theonlytribe.com.

Best known for his monolithic sculptures, Roland Gebhardt is an internationally renowned sculptor whose work has been shown around the world and is in many prominent collections. He studied at both the Art Academy of Hamburg and the Kunstgewerbeschule in Zurich.  Gebhardt has designed and directed projects as a consultant for New York's top design firms. He has been principal and proprietor of Roland Gebhardt Design, located in downtown Manhattan, since 1987 and was the Designer Director for Robert P. Gersin Associates. Drawing on his talents as an artist, he has also developed a line of sculptural furniture. He holds several mechanical and design product patents.  He was the co-chair of Rebuild Downtown Our Town, and is a member of the steering committee for the Civic Alliance. Gebhardt is a faculty member of Pratt Institute, School of Architecture, Graduate Program for Urban Planning, and is a Fellow of The Institute for Urban Design.

Peter Kyle is Artistic Director of Peter Kyle Dance, a contemporary dance company dedicated to interdisciplinary collaboration. Kyle's choreography has been presented across the United States, including commissions by Kaatsbaan International Dance Center, Symphony Space, The Dancenow/NYC Festival, Cornish College of the Arts, UW Summer Arts Festival, and the Museum of Glass: International Center for Contemporary Art. Founded in 2005, the company has performed in New York City at Abrons Arts Center / Henry Street Settlement, Ronald Feldman Fine Arts, and Joyce SoHo. Peter has performed internationally with Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance, Mark Morris Dance Group, ERick Hawkins Dance Company, Pittsburgh Dance Alloy, and Gina Gibney Dance, among others.

For the past seven years Reid Farrington has been employed as a video artist for the Wooster Group. He has designed video and created hardware and software systems for the play back of video and sound for To You the Birdie!, Brace Up!, Poor Theater, House/Lights, WHO'S YOUR DADA, and Hamlet. He has toured productions to Moscow, Paris, Berlin, Istanbul, Amsterdam, Melbourne, Brussels, and Athens. He has edited has authored interactive DVDs of The Wooster Group's performances, Brace Up! and House/Lights.  He is also a director, set, light, and costume designer for various theater and dance companies in NYC.  His acclaimed piece The Passion Project was workshopped at 3LD last summer and opened at PS 122 this fall.

Stephen Barber is part West Texas renegade, part classical composer, part poet, and part  rock-n-roller. His work is a convergence of Renaissance and Baroque musical literature, Episcopalian church influence, a lifelong love affair with rhythm and blues, and a near overdose of rock and roll. His classical training began in Texas and led to New York City and private study with a Juilliard master. As composer, arranger, and musician he has collaborated with such luminaries as David Byrne, Keith Richards, Ornette Coleman and Gilberto Gil.

3LD Art & Technology Center is an artist run production studio with one goal, to create a culture of risk taking, experimentation, independence and ambition with a cooperative international community of artists centered in New York.  Our facility and programs are an arena in which residents simultaneously increase knowledge, streamline production processes and realize their creative visions.  3LD's resident programs are designed to create a stable, savvy, self-sufficient experimental arts community with access to resources and professional development that leads to better quality work, high production values, and new ways of engaging the public, here and abroad. For more info visit www.3LDNYC.org.

THE ONLY TRIBE runs November 28 - December 20, Wednesday - Saturday at 8pm and Sunday at 3pm.  3LD Art & Technology Center is located at 80 Greenwich Street (at Rector Street -- accessible from the 1 train at Rector Street). Tickets are $30 (previews $20), $15 for students at  212-352-3101 or www.3LDNYC.org.

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