April 11, 2015
Saturday at 3:00PM
Free and open to the public! No advance reservations.
Curated by Ishmael Houston-Jones, the DraftWork series hosts informal Saturday afternoon performances that offer choreographers an opportunity to show their work in various stages of development. Performances are followed by discussion and a reception during which artists and audiences share perspectives about the works-in-progress.
Find out more here
ABOUT THE ARTISTS:
Stefanie Batten Bland creates work that investigates the human condition and explores our relationship with the natural world. Her works are physically and technically demanding in dance—and are poetic emotionally-driven creations. Each piece is a futuristic environment, encompassing a strong installation and theatrical flavor that immerses performer and spectator and subject in a unique performative experience. SBB is a 2015 Alvin Ailey Foundation New Directions Choreography Lab Fellow, 2014 Joffrey Ballet Choreographer of Color, 2010-12 Baryshnikov Arts Center/Jerome Robbins NEW Fellow. In 2008, while head choreographer at the Paris Opera Comique in France, Stefanie founded COMPANY SBB, her works in dance cinema and on stage have performed throughout Europe, the US and Asia.
Ayo Janeen Jackson received her BFA at North Carolina School of the Arts. She is a former member of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, Ballet Preljocaj, and the original cast of Spider-Man on Broadway. Her choreography has been presented in New York venues such as PS122, Harlem Stage, and DTW. Ayo received both a Chris Hellman Award and a Special Project Grant from the Princess Grace Foundation. Jackson danced for the French pop star Mylène Farmer; and worked with Julie Taymor on the movie Across the Universe, and Grendel, an opera. Jackson worked on Super Fly, the musical, (dir. Bill T. Jones) as the associate choreographer; the film Black Nativity, directed by Kasi Lemmons; Anna Nicole, the opera; and episodes of Boardwalk Empire. Ayo was the associate choreographer for the 2014 Presidential Scholars at the Kennedy Center. Jackson is currently on faculty at University of the Arts.
DraftWork is presented, in part, with public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, in partnership with the City Council as well as City Council Member Rosie Mendez.