News Release
For Immediate Release
Contact: Logan McSwain, communications manager
704.372.0101 x2765
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North Carolina Dance Theatre presents the world premiere of
also on the program, Nacho Duato’s Na Floresta
Charlotte, N.C. - Deception, desire and paparazzi take center stage in Dwight Rhoden’s adaptation of Othello! At the Belk Theater May 14-16, Rhoden’s contemporary adaptation of Othello drops Shakespeare’s characters into a 21st century rock and roll lifestyle.
“My version of Othello is loosely based on the music industry,” said choreographer Dwight Rhoden. “The story of Othello is the same, but I wanted it to be modern. I think people will be able to relate to the story because it could be ripped from the headlines of today.”
Rhoden says he set out to give Othello a musical theater feel with big production numbers. To bring this Broadway style production to life, Rhoden is working with composer David Rozenblatt, who has created an original score for Othello, and saxophonist Arun Luthra, who will perform live during the performance. Rhoden is also working with costume designer Christine Darch and lighting and set designer Michael Korsch, both of whom worked with Rhoden on Dirty Truth And Pretty Lies in Dance Theatre’s most recent performance, A Night at the Movies.
“I’ve wanted to do a Shakespeare piece for some time now,” said Rhoden. “What I do choreographically fits with the characterizations in Othello.”
Dancing Othello, a music industry executive, is second year company member Joseph Watson. Before joining Dance Theatre, Watson received a B.F.A. in dance from The Julliard School. “I felt like Joseph needed a role like Othello,” said Rhoden. “I think it will be a challenge for him, and he will see incredible growth from this role.”
Desdemona, Othello’s wife and a singer, is being danced by Rebecca Carmazzi. Carmazzi is back after having a baby in February to take on the role. “I’ve always thought of Rebecca as a combination of strength and vulnerability which makes her well suited for this role,” said Rhoden.
Dancer David Ingram is performing the role of Iago. Rhoden says Iago is like a “one hit wonder,” someone who had success, but could not keep it. “David is so strong theatrically,” said Rhoden. “He gets completely into a role. He can make a dance move mean something.”
The role of Iago’s wife and Desdomna’s best friend, Emilia, is being danced by Traci Gilchrest. “Traci and Emilia both have delicateness and power and the ability to overcome tough situations,” said Rhoden.
In his first year with the Company, Dustin Layton takes on the role of Cassio. Rhoden describes Cassio as being “very young talented and Othello’s right hand man.”
“When people think about Dwight they think about high energy and abstract choreography,” said Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, Dance Theatre president and artistic director. “Dwight told me he wanted to diversify his work, so I thought it would be good for him to tell a story. I chose Othello because it is a classic work and what Dwight will bring to it is something that has never been seen before!”
About the Choreographer – Dwight Rhoden
Dwight Rhoden, artistic director of Complexions Contemporary Ballet and resident choreographer for North Carolina Dance Theatre, has been hailed by The New York Times as “one of the most sought out choreographers of the day.” Rhoden began dancing at the age of 17, while studying acting. Rhoden has appeared in numerous television specials, documentaries and commercials throughout the United States, Canada and Europe and has been a featured performer on many PBS Great Performances specials. In 2008 his choreography was featured on the hit Fox television show, So You Think You Can Dance.
Rhoden joined NC Dance Theatre as resident choreographer in 2006 and travels to Charlotte several times a year to set works on the Company. He has created ballets for many companies including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Arizona Ballet, The Aspen Santa Fe Ballet Company, Ballet Gamonet, The Dance Theater of Harlem, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, The Joffrey Ballet, Miami City Ballet, New York City Ballet/Diamond Project, The Pennsylvania Ballet, Philadanco, Minneapolis Dance Theater, Phoenix Dance Company, Sacramento Ballet, Oakland Ballet, Pittsburgh Ballet Theater, The Washington Ballet and Zenon Dance Company. Dance Magazine called Rhoden’s work “post-Balanchinean choreography, a new aesthetic in movement, stage, picture, and performance concepts reflecting a post-modern, techno-savvy worldview.”
Rhoden has lectured and served as “Artist in Residence” at universities around the country. He has directed and choreographed for film, theater and live performances including E! Entertainment’s Tribute to Style and Cirque Du Soleil, and also worked for high profile artists including Prince, Lenny Kravitz, Kelly Clarkson and Patrick Swayze. Rhoden is a 1998 New York Foundation for the Arts Award Recipient and a 2001 Choo San Goh Award for Choreography Recipient. In May of 2006 he received the Alvin Ailey School’s Apex award to celebrate his contribution to the field of dance.
Also on the Program – Na Floresta
The evening of Othello will open with Nacho Duato’s Na Floresta (“in the forest” in Portuguese), last performed as part of the Innovative Works series in 2007. A plotless work to Villa-Lobos music, Na Floresta praises the beauty of the Amazonian rain forest and intends to communicate an intimacy and a feeling for nature.
About the Choreographer – Nacho Duato
Nacho Duato, born in Valencia, Spain, started ballet training with the Rambert School in London at the age of eighteen. Duato furthered his dance studies at Maurice Béjart’s Mudra School in Brussels and Alvin Ailey American Dance Center in New York before beginning his professional career with Cullberg Ballet in Stockholm in 1980. He went on to dance for Nederlands Dans Theatre in Holland under the direction of Jiri Kylian.
Duato’s first attempt at choreography in 1983 turned into major success; Jardí Tancat won him the first prize at the International Choreographic Workshop at Cologne. In 1988 Duato was named resident choreographer for Nederlands Dans Theatre. Since 1990 Duato has been the artistic director of Compañí National de Danza.
Othello Details
Dates: May 14, 2009, at 7:30 p.m.
May 15, 2009, at 8 p.m.
May 16, 2009, at 8 p.m.
Location: Belk Theater, 130 N. Tryon Street, Charlotte, N.C.
Tickets: Student Rush $10 (with ID); Tickets start at $25
Groups of 10 or more receive discounts off the regular price of tickets. Call 704.379.1380 to find out about group tickets.
Ticket Purchasing Details:
Online: ncdance.org
By phone: 704.372.1000
In person: Blumenthal Performing Arts Center Box Office
Belk Theater Lobby
Monday-Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Also in May
Back by popular demand, North Carolina Dance Theatre presents two matinees of Snow White at the Belk Theater May 16 and 17, 2 p.m. The two-act ballet, choreographed by Mark Diamond, blends humor and dance to transport audiences into the world of the classic children’s fairytale.
In Diamond’s Snow White, audiences can look forward to a great chase scene, when characters make their way into the audience chamber, and a wedding celebration, when characters are able to show off their personalities through dancing. The Seven Dwarves have individualized costumes that illustrate their unique qualities. For example, Sinusy is a farmer who can't stop sneezing, Drowsy is a leprechaun who falls asleep at almost any moment, and Grouchy, the leader, is a very gruff, cavalier type.
“Snow White was choreographed and designed specifically as a family fairytale ballet, that doesn't stray from the original story,” said Diamond. “It is designed to be very colorful and magical, with as much humor as possible. There are jokes directed at both children and adults.”
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Details
North Carolina Dance Theatre has established itself as one of America’s premier dance companies. Led by internationally acclaimed President and Artistic Director Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, NC Dance Theatre is based on strong dancers, high energy and a versatile repertoire that ranges from classical ballet to bold contemporary works. NC Dance Theatre School of Dance parallels the professional company’s tradition of excellence.
North Carolina Dance Theatre is supported, in part, with operating support by the Arts & Science Council. Dance Theatre is also supported by individuals, corporations, and local and national foundations, the North Carolina Arts Council, ArtsTeach, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Othello is sponsored by Deloitte & Touche LLP with additional support provided by Piedmont Natural Gas Company.
To find out more about NC Dance Theatre visit ncdance.org. |
