A Rosas Collaboration

DanceWorks Chicago and Shenandoah Conservatory’s Dance Division have teamed up to create and present an original dance film featuring selections from the iconic work “Rosas Danst Rosas” by Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker. The work premieres online on Shenandoah Conservatory’s Facebook page at 1pm (Central) on Friday, May 8, and will include live interviews with Shenandoah University Assistant Professor of Dance Matt Pardo; Co-Founder/Artistic Director of DanceWorks Chicago Julie Nakagawa; and cinematographer Devon Donis of Adonis Visuals. Audience members are invited to submit questions via the Facebook comments section.

Originally choreographed in 1983 by world-renowned Belgian choreographer Anne Teresa De Keersmaeker, “Rosas Danst Rosas” invites adaptations and interpretation. The second section from the work, which features dances with and on chairs, will be performed by 20 dancers, starting with the original movement score and including smaller sections re-imagined through a variety of groupings, giving the artists an opportunity to collaborate in the redesign of De Keersmaeker’s iconic choreography. Dancers will be performing the work from their home locations all over the world, including sites along the east coast, Chicago, and as far west as Hawaii.

This collaboration is an expression of a shared mission as artists and educators. Pardo explains, “this project demonstrates that the more we engage and support each other — even while apart — the more we can continue our shared push for excellence in the arts.”  Nakagawa expanded on what makes this particular partnership and project so meaningful: “Our organizations share values around being compassionate citizens who are committed to making responsible contributions within a community, a nation, and the world. This project is a powerful demonstration of those shared values.”

In addition to the online premiere on Friday, May 8, the project will be highlighted in an upcoming feature by Jennifer Edwards of The Dance Enthusiast, an acclaimed digital news site and arts organization that serves the dance community by engaging audiences, artists and writers in conversations about dance.

This program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council Agency.