Jane Comfort News

Over 800 artists and supporters of the New York dance community had gathered to celebrate the nominees, winners, and The Bessies' 35th anniversary gala event on Monday, October 14. Obie and Bessie Award-winning performance artist Justin Vivian Bond hosted this year's ceremony, which was held at NYU's Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.

The iconic creepy and mostly kooky family is now entertaining audiences at The Central New York Playhouse under the direction of Bella Lupia and music direction by Abel Searor. The familiar family effortlessly comes to life with spot on casting and gorgeous costumes. The new musical, with a book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice and music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, comes to the Central New York Playhouse just in time for Halloween.

Oklahoma dancer, Gabrielle Hamilton wins a Bessie Award for Outstanding Performer!

In celebration of 75 years of the Jerome Robbins Dance Division of the New York Public Library, From the Horse's Mouth will dedicate its next theater/dance performance event to the history of this storied institution and the establishment of its international dance archive. Rare film footage, videos and multimedia will enhance this edition of From the Horse's Mouth and its unique blend of movement and storytelling.

The NY Dance and Performance Awards, The Bessies, New York City's premier dance awards honoring outstanding creative work in the field, celebrates a landmark 35th anniversary this year. Today, the nominees for the 2019 Bessie Awards, along with the recipients of the 2019 Juried Bessie Award and 2019 Outstanding Breakout Choreographer Award, were announced and celebrated at the Bessies press conference. (The list of nominations follows.)

In celebration of her career as a dance critic, writer, dancer, choreographer and educator, From the Horse's Mouth will dedicate its next theater/dance performance event to Deborah Jowitt, whose lifelong accomplishments exemplify a storied career spanning more than 50 years.

The New York-based theater company, Theater in Asylum (TIA), will present six performances of Alice Pencavel's Totally Wholesome Foods at Episcopal Actors' Guild in New York City.

The New York-based theater company, Theater in Asylum (TIA), will present six performances of Alice Pencavel's Totally Wholesome Foods at Episcopal Actors' Guild in New York City.

Four women of color breaking boundaries at Mabou Mines as part of the 2019 SUITE/Space program - Cinthia Chen, Marcelle Davies-Lashley, Cristina Pitter and Edisa Weeks.

The New York-based theater company, Theater in Asylum (TIA), will present six performances of Alice Pencavel's Totally Wholesome Foods at Episcopal Actors' Guild in New York City.

Four women of color breaking boundaries at Mabou Mines as part of the 2019 SUITE/Space program - Cinthia Chen, Marcelle Davies-Lashley, Cristina Pitter and Edisa Weeks.

Four women of color breaking boundaries at Mabou Mines as part of the 2019 SUITE/Space program - Cinthia Chen, Marcelle Davies-Lashley, Cristina Pitter and Edisa Weeks.

The Exponential Festival, a month-long January festival for NYC-based emerging artists working in experimental performance, is proud to present the world premiere production of Duet-ed by What Holds Heat. What Holds Heat is a collaboration between Nic Adams (Icarus in the L.E.S.) and Cori Marquis (Cori Marquis + the Nines [IX] and LMnO3). Of their works, they write, "Our kinetic and experiential works of performance seek to extend the boundaries of theatre and expand its power for our audience. Our ensemble-based theatre prioritizes impressionistic storytelling, with subjects ranging from the intimate to the fantastical, while always being grounded in the complexity of human relationships." Since 2015, What Holds Heat has produced three original works for the stage, at venues like Dixon Place, The Bushwick Starr (as part of Target Margin Theater's Stein Labs), and Vital Joint.

October 25-28, 2018 marked the 2018 American Dance Guild Performance Festival: Visions- Then and Now as the Guild celebrates 61 years of service to dance. This year's showcase brought a program of dances both old and new featuring the work of modern dance legends Jane Dudley and the late Donald McKayle. The weekend also recognized two-time BESSIE award winner Jane Comfort and the inimitable Eleo Pomare for this year's Lifetime Awards.

The American Dance Guild Festival 2018, Visions Then and Now, will honor choreographic luminaries Jane Comfort and the late Eleo Pomare in four days of performances by 32 multi-generational artists from across the United States. The Festival will take place October 25 through October 28 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street, in New York City.

Heather Christian and the ANIMAL WISDOM family present in a Live Recording of a Blackout Requiem Mass on Thursday and Friday, All Saints and All Souls Day, November 1 & 2, 2018 at 7pm and 9pm at Town Stages,221 West Broadway, NYC. 

Heather Christian and the ANIMAL WISDOM family present in a Live Recording of a Blackout Requiem Mass on Thursday and Friday, All Saints and All Souls Day, November 1 & 2, 2018 at 7pm and 9pm at Town Stages, 221 West Broadway, NYC. 

The night remained forever young at this year's Bessies, what with live performances, videos, tearful and grinning thank you's, hugs and cheers for the new slew of winners, and a costume sashay thrown into wild mix of celebration that took place tonight, October 8, at the NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts.  As a prelude to the goings-on inside, impromptu dance performances, including Simone Forti's "Huddle," took place outside.  Ayodele Casel and Shernita Anderson hosted the evening.

The American Dance Guild Performance Festival 2018, Visions Then and Now, will honor choreographic luminaries Jane Comfort and the late Eleo Pomare in four days of performances by 32 multi-generational artists from across the United States. The Festival will take place October 25 through October 28 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street, in New York City.

Gloria McLean, President of the American Dance Guild, announced today the lineup for ADG Festival 2018, Visions Then and Now. Honors to choreographic luminaries Jane Comfort and the late Eleo Pomare will complement four days of performances by 32 multi-generational artists from across the United States. The Festival will take place October 25 through October 28 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street, in New York City.