ACT Launches Special Dance Project, 'Project Orpheus' Beginning 9/13

ACT’s Central Heating Lab continues its innovative collaborative initiative by supporting Seattle Dance Project in Project Orpheus running September 13 through October 4, 2008. Designed as a companion piece to ACT’s mainstage production of Eurydice, Project Orpheus marries the three distinct artistic styles of renowned local choreographers Wade Madsen, Eva Stone and Olivier Wevers into one seamless narrative. Together, with lighting/technical director Peter Bracillano and music director Dave Abramson, Seattle Dance Project creates a modern, moody interpretation of the tragic Greek myth that uses dance to explore the physicality of love, jealousy, compassion and grief.

“Asking three accomplished choreographers to collaborate on a single work, rather than three short pieces, hasn’t really been done before,” said Julie Tobiason, a former principal dancer with the Pacific Northwest Ballet and one of Seattle Dance Project’s two artistic directors. “Everyone had an open mind going into the project and was very excited about doing something groundbreaking. They all really respect each other.” Timothy Lynch, also a former Pacific Northwest Ballet dancer and the other Seattle Dance Project co-artistic director continued, “As a dancer, learning to approach this work while honoring the different styles and contributions of each choreographer is a wonderful challenge. And being all local choreographers, dancers and designers, it’s also a celebration of the wealth of talent we have in Seattle. It’s going to be a huge treat for our audiences.”

Project Orpheus will feature six of Seattle Dance Project’s dancers including: Joseph Anderson, Betsy Cooper, Alexandra Dickson, Timothy Lynch, Kory Perigo and Julie Tobiason.

Project Orpheus runs every Friday and Saturday from September 13 through October 4 at 8:00 p.m.  On September 10, Seattle Dance Project will hold a Pay-What-You-Will dress rehearsal. Space is limited and an RSVP to info@seattledanceproject.org is required to attend. The company also will host post-performance dialogues with the audience immediately following each performance. Tickets for Project Orpheus are $25 for adults and $20 for students and seniors; $20.00 ticket with the purchase of tickets to ACT’s production of Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. Groups of ten or more receive a 10% discount. Tickets are available at the ACT Ticket Office, 700 Union Street, Downtown Seattle, (206) 292-7676 or online at www.acttheatre.org. For more information on Project Orpheus, The Central Heating Lab or ACT Theatre’s mainstage production of Eurydice, visit www.acttheatre.org.

About Seattle Dance Project

Founded in 2007 by Julie Tobiason and Timothy Lynch, the Seattle Dance Project is a modern dance company comprised of world-class artists with the highest level of professional performing experience. Seattle Dance Project creates a movement methodology where muscular strength and classical lines of ballet converge with the emancipating movement of modern dance.  They perform in intimate settings such as ACT Theatre, Seattle, WA, and the Meydenbauer Theatre, Bellevue, WA. Company performers also include: Joseph Anderson, Alexandra Dickson, Melanie Skinner, Oleg Gorboulev, Dana Hanson, Kory Perigo, and Michele Curtis. Reflecting Seattle Dance Project’s commitment to high quality performing arts, many company members are active teachers in the Seattle dance community. 

Project Orpheus is generously sponsored in part by 4Culture and the Glenn H. Kawasaki Foundation.

About ACT

For the past 43 seasons, ACT’s mission has been to present a broad spectrum of the very best of contemporary theatre that speaks to audiences of all backgrounds. A significant part of ACT’s mandate is to commission new works and to foster the development of those works in a supportive and inspiring workplace. Through The Central Heating Lab, ACT seeks to heat things up and create a conversation with its season that reaches for a deeper impact.

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