Sydnie L. Mosley | What does Shange think?

Company member Sydnie L. Mosley recently guest wrote for the Barnard Center for Research on Women Blog regarding Ntozake Shange's thoughts on Tyler Perry's interpretation of For Colored Girls.

On Wednesday, November 7th I had the pleasure of attending “Ntozake Shange on Stage & Screen” sponsored by Africana Studies at Barnard. The event began with a screening of Tyler Perry’s film adaptation of Shange’s choreopoem for colored girls who have considered suicide when the rainbow is enuf, followed by a panel discussion and audience Q & A with Ms. Shange, Soyica Diggs Colbert, Assistant Professor of English at Dartmouth College, and Monica Miller, Associate Professor of English at Barnard. With so much negative criticism surrounding Perry’s 13 million dollar film adaptation, the question burning on every one’s mind was, what does Shange think?

I was relieved to learn that her thoughts aligned with the criticisms I’d been outlining in my head since I first saw the film over a year ago. Shange was frank: "Tyler Perry's greatest challenge with for colored girls was what he was about to tackle." In other words, Perry could not grasp the radical nature of the work, and it was clear, at least from an artistic standpoint, he had no idea what he was getting himself into.

Read more at BCRW BLOG. 

Carrie Plew | INCollaboration

Recently, company member Carrie Plew worked with friend Heather Mims to create a new duet to be performed at UNC-Greensboro. The event was a reunion concert for John Gamble Dance Theater, a company she performed with for 10 years. 

The duet is based on the theme of a sister relationship, exploring the ideas of supporting one another, demanding to be supported, or refusing to support one another--literally and figuratively.

INSPIRIT during Hurricane Sandy

So we've had a few rainy days off, and what are we up to? Spending our time on social media of course! Here are a few of the fun shares by INSPIRIT company members during the FRANKENSTORM.


Carrie writes:

"One last walk before we officially batten down
the hatches for the night. We just made it
 before Bloomberg said 'Get Inside Y'all!'"

Nicole writes:

"Sandy, can't you see, I'm in misery

if u hit hard, my house goes dark,

there's nothin' left for me

my car has flown, here comes hailstones!,

I sit and wonder why-y-y oh why you hit me, oh

Sandy" -John Travolta (Grease)

Rebecca shares:

"Sometimes when you're not prepared for a hurricane
 you have to break out the Menorah in case of a blackout!"

Remi shares:

Sydnie shares:

Our hearts go out to all those who suffered any losses or damages during the storm. Stay safe and be well in this storm recovery period.

INSPIRIT Women: Rock the Vote!

top left: Allegra Romita, right: Alexandra Joye Warren
bottom left: Carrie Plew, Luisa Martinez,  right: Luisa Martinez, Allegra Romita

VOTE!

THERE'S ONLY 1 WEEK LEFT UNTIL ELECTION DAY.

BE SURE TO GET OUT AND VOTE ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 6, 2012.


check out more VOTE's at #PilobolusVoteProject

My Country Tis of Thee

Last week's Presidential debate left a lot to be desired. To start, my ovaries were completely ignored. Call those little organs self-centered, but they've been the center piece of this election season for the past 10 months, and when we finally get to a debate? Ignored.

On the bright side, the event did focus on the economy, healthcare and education - all extremely important issues. It's just too bad the President didn't bring his A game. Mitt Romney stood on stage with his perfectly quaft salt and pepper #JustForMen ad hair (word to twitter), and told lie after lie with the straightest face, a well executed argument and delivery. Meanwhile, the President struggled to be as clear, concise and confident as his opponent, even when spouting proven facts. If I were an uninformed undecided, based on that presentation alone, I would lean toward Mitt. My Country.

My country is in an interesting place. In this two party political system, one side has created a pretty political puppet - a talking head, while the other side is failing to present itself as consistent, persistent and confident in its choices.

My country is a place where those with power and privilege bank on the uneducated staying uneducated, and prey on people's fears and prejudices.

My country is a place where we can elect a president who runs on the platforms of hope, change, and "yes we can!" - but quickly forget that WE includes I, and change does not occur overnight.

INSPIRIT performs at BAAD! Friday, October 12

Christal Brown and INSPIRIT: The Evolution

Friday, October 12

8pm

Join INSPIRIT with new Artistic Director Alexandra Joye Warren as the company performs work from 2003 to the present, showcasing choreography by Christal Brown, Alexandra Joye Warren, Toni Renee Johnson and current company members. The evening will also include a sneak peek into one of Brown's newest collaborative endeavors "The Opulence of Integrity" performed by an all-male cast, as well as a performance via live feed by Christal Brown from Lusaka, Zambia.

Witness this amazing display of history as INSPIRIT prepares for their 10-year anniversary season in the spring of 2013!

$15 Student/Senior, $20 General Admission

PURCHASE TICKETS

Take 6 train to Hunts Points Avenue. Cross under Bruckner Expressway to 1st block (Garrison Avenue). Make right on Garrison and go 2 blocks to Barretto Street. Make left on Barretto Street to 841 Barretto in the middle of the block, right hand side, large warehouse, red door.

We look forward to seeing you there!

INSPIRIT recommends: ADG Dance Festival

American Dance Guild Festival 2012

Celebrating Past and Present

Honoring dance legends:

Dianne McIntyre 

Elaine Summers 

and

featuring

35 choreographers from near and far

Dianne McIntyre
photo by Larry Coleman

September 6-9, 2012

at

The Ailey Citigroup Theater

The Joan Weill Center for Dance

405 West 55th Street at 9th Avenue

New York, NY  10019

     

The festival features work by INSPIRIT alumnae Shani Collins and Laurie Taylor. Current company member Karina Ikezoe will perform in Shani Collins' work. 

Carrie Plew | If You Look For My Heart

Musician and novelist, Ben Arthur released the first video from his album/novel, If You Look for My Heart, which will be released 09/11/12. The video was directed, shot and edited by Matthew Hendershot, and features INSPIRIT dancer Carrie Plew. Visit http://www.benarthur.com/ for updates about his forthcoming project.

Alexandra Joye Warren | Artistic Director

Alexandra Joye Warren is the new Artistic Director of INSPIRIT, a dance company. She takes over the company after performing with INSPIRIT since 2006, while Christal Brown continues as the Founding Artistic/Executive Director. A native of the Washington, D.C. Metro area, Alexandra began her intense training as a dance major at Suitland High School for Visual and Performing Arts. She received her BA degree in Drama with a concentration in Dance/Pre-Medicine from Spelman College in 2003 and in 2006 received her Master of Fine Arts degree in Dance Performance from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. Alexandra has been fortunate to work on projects with Urban Bush Women, Bill T. Jones, Paloma and Patricia McGregor and many other New York based dance and theatre artists. She is honored to lead this exceptional group of gifted performers and choreographers who consider themselves the next generation of innovators in the field of dance.

Company member Sydnie L. Mosley takes a moment to talk to Alex about the transition into her new role in the company since January 2012.

At a little more than 7 months into your new role, the company has accomplished a lot: auditioning and bringing in 4 new company members, creating and setting 4 new works, a successful kickstarter campaign, and a creative residency at Middlebury College. How are you feeling about the company's progress thus far? Are we on track with your vision?

I am so excited about the progress that the company has made in this time of transition. I think it speaks to the incredible foundation that Christal Brown has established for the company. This is evidence of a new era; if we can continue the legacy, everyone benefits. It's a shame to see dance companies that we've known and love crumble when the founder goes through a transition. I am so honored that Christal chose me as the one to pass the torch to. 

"I'm so honored that Christal chose me
as the one to pass the torch to."

I am bursting with ideas and I have realized that some of them may take time. In lieu of that, I feel like many of my goals for the company have been accomplished but I am not one easily satisfied. That pushes me to continue to think more creatively and continue to work harder to build upon the foundation that was laid out for us.

Can you tell us about a challenge and a triumph you've encountered thus far?

The biggest challenge so far, and triumph, was our Kickstarter campaign. It's a harrowing process! The fact is, that even if you are a dollar shy of your goal you get $0 at the end. Those last 24 hours of the campaign were intense but I am so grateful for all 51 people who backed our project and made it a success. Beyond the much needed funds we raised to go back into the rehearsal process, I think we made new friends and expanded our audience along the way which will help us in the long run.

What is a little known fact about you?

That's difficult! I think I'm pretty much an open book. Many people know that I'm also a DJ, trained at Scratch DJ Academy here in New York. There may be some folks that don't know how much I love singing. I once played the lead in The Little Mermaid when I was in Middle School! Now I mostly sing Soprano at Church.

What are you most looking forward to this fall?

Two things: Our show at BAAD on October 12th. It's going to be the first major debut of the new company and a big moment for all of us.  

Also, the birth of my first child. I can't wait to meet our baby girl! It's going to be an epic life changing experience, and I am really looking forward to it.

INSPIRIT recommends: MBDance at SummerStage | JJDC at Downtown Dance Festival

This Saturday MBDance premieres at SummerStage, August 11

MBDance will premiere a new piece, "Stand" with composition by Ashley Phillips and choreography by Maria Bauman. Also showing "50 Ways to Say..." catalyzed by the murder of Sean Bell and so many other black men by police officers. With composition by Keith Witty and narration by Chioke I'anson.

PERFORMERS: Kendra Ross, Maria Bauman, Samantha Speis, Chanon Judson, Zoe Rabinowitz, and understudied by Rae Charles When: August 11 @ 7pm Where: Marcus Garvey Park Cost: FREE! More Information SummerStage is a program of the City Parks Foundation that presents FREE performances of outstanding artistic quality to the communities of NYC. This program also features Kùlú Mèlé African Dance and Drum Ensemble! --- Jamal Jackson Dance Company at Downtown Dance Festival, August 11 & 12

INSPIRIT company member Karina Ikezoe performs with Jamal Jackson Dance Company at the 31st Downtown Dance Festival produced by Battery Dance Company.

When: August 11 & 12, 1pm

Where: The Lawn at Battery Park 

Adjacent to State Street at Pearl Street By Subway: 

1 to South Ferry; 4/5 to Bowling Green; R to Whitehall

Cost: FREE

MORE INFORMATION

Rainbows in Vermont

INSPIRIT is back in New York City after a week long creative residency at Middlebury College with Christal Brown. The company enjoyed five days of conditioning (yoga, pilates and Liquid Strength, oh my!) while learning repertory and working out ideas for a new evening length work.

We had the opportunity to enjoy the fresh open air looking at picturesque skies, weeping willows, and bunnies playing in the grass. What a blessing to dance all day, learn from one another, and fellowship as a company.

Here we go! Road trip to Vermont!

Back: Remi and Luisa, Front: Rebecca and Allegra

Beautiful mountains in upstate New York.

Gorgeous sunshine and clouds above the barn.

Happy dancers after a long day of rehearsal.
(L to R): Rebecca, Luisa, Allegra, Karina, Remi
[Sydnie taking the photo!]

Rainbow in Vermont, after the storm. 

Spacious dance studio & performance space
at Middlebury.

Taking a breather.
Christal, GJ, Alex, Sydnie, Karina, Rebecca

Bluegrass music at Lincoln Peak Vineyard, New Haven.

Gorgeous sunset over the pond at the vineyard.

Over zealous Giants fan with a shrine on the side
of the highway as we travel back home!

Greetings from the Woods!!

This mini update is coming to you from Silo, PA, where we are on our company retreat. We've been busy training and videotaping for the Liquid Strength instructional DVD. 

First off, We owe a huge thanks to Robin and DanceNOW for this amazing venue! A huge guest house, not to mention great studio spaces, and only a short drive to the grocery. We spend the mornings conditioning with yoga, pilates, plyometrics, and resistance training.  Nothing brings a company closer together than sweating it out...and getting six pack abs! We've also been busy filming the Liquid Strength instructional DVD, so for all of you who have been itching to get your hands on it, the wait is almost over: All the footage has been taken, so its on to the editors and sound coordinators, and then straight to you! 

A lot of great new things are in store for INSPIRIT: upcoming shows, teaching opportunities and new works being set on the company by outside choreographers! You will be hearing from us again as soon as we have more concrete information. 

Check out our Facebook pages and Website for updated info about upcoming shows and company members!!

This is Nancy, signing out! Keep checking the blog for new INSPIRIT information!!

On Perseverance

When the world says, "Give up,"
Hope whispers, "Try it one more time."
~Author Unknown

One of these days, we will be doing Project:BECOMING for adult women...the lessons that we try to uncover in our program for teen girls are universal and as I am sharing with these young women, I can't help but to also be changed in the process.

As we shared with the girls this week in our Project:BECOMING Harlem session, to be successful in life you've got to learn to persevere.

What stops us? The same things that stop them: being afraid, doubting our abilities, fears of not being inadequate but being powerful beyond measure.

In the past three years of my professional career as a dancer, I have seen many dancers come and go. Sometimes we think that we have to stop and get our life together. As Christal so loving pointed out to me this week, we should never have our lives TOGETHER! Otherwise, where would the greatest joys of life be? We would miss out on that amazing experience of figuring it all out. Learning and growing.

Perseverance is about feeling uncomfortable, making mistakes, being tired, doing too much, pulling back, growing taller in our spirit, finding out what works and letting go of what doesn't. We must learn how to do all this AND keep on going. Otherwise I would miss my whole life, trying to get it together.

Alexandra Joye Houston