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Trainor Dance Celebrates Fifth Season at Ailey Citigroup Theater, Sept. 18-19

by April Thibeault
August 10, 2015
Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater
405 West 55th Street
New York, NY 10019
212-405-9000
Celebrating its fifth anniversary season, Trainor Dance showcases its signature luscious movement in a two-night performance series September 18-19 at the Ailey Citigroup Theater in New York City. With a quartet of works as varied as the sound palette, the program features two audience favorites spanning 2012-14 by the company's founder/artistic director Caitlin Trainor as well as two world premieres, each with a distinctive feel, high physicality, and classical sensibility. (See below for program details.)

"As we celebrate our fifth anniversary season, our organization, programming and company are growing and grateful," said Trainor. "We continue to present celebratory, imaginative and unapologetically physical dance with an underlying stream of thoughtful concepts and satisfying structure."

Opening the program are two world premieres: a Trainor-made experiential piece that plays with headlamps, mirrors, light and reflection; and a duet choreographed by guest artist Takehiro Ueyama (founder/artistic director TAKE Dance) that is uniquely "Take" fusing Eastern and Western culture. Both praised for their innate musical affinity, Trainor and Ueyama create athletic works drawn from a kinesthetic, structural, or imagistic response to music. "The reason I create is to inhabit the space of questions rather than answers, and to be continually pushed into unfamiliar terrain," explains Trainor.

Completing the evening are two hallmark ensemble pieces: "Sandpainting" (2012) and an excerpt from "Faux Pas" (2014). Comprised of nine short segments, "Sandpainting" marries ritual and spectacle. Equal parts driving rhythmic virtuosity and otherworldly lyricism, this musically inspired work unfolds through rapturous partnering and intricate design. The culminating piece, "Faux Pas," is a lively dance for seven dancers and their seven flowing, voluminous jewel-toned skirts. Serving as shawls, peasant-style skirts, shorts, water, partners, bullfighting capes, and more, the clever costumes play an integral role as the piece evolves from fluid adagio to thrashing rondo.

Known for its physicality, intelligence, thought-provoking choreography and interdisciplinary collaborations, Trainor Dance presents "works of pure dance without artifice, affectation or contrived attempts to impress (CriticalDance.org)." Under the stewardship of dancer/choreographer Caitlin Trainor (she performed with the Metropolitan Opera Ballet but also with modern choreographers such as Sean Curran), the skilled company of nine stunning dancers fuses Trainor's powerful femininity with a contemporary feel. "Trainor's dances are pure dance for dance's sake, joyous in their fluidity, charm and crystal clear movement intention." (CriticalDance.org)

About Trainor Dance

Founded in 2011 with a focus on interdisciplinary work, Trainor Dance has performed on both sides of the Atlantic in conjunction with visual art, poetry, music and film. Trainor Dance aims to expand the notion of what dance can be and engages both traditional and non-traditional dance audiences. Recent highlights of Trainor Dance include appearing at TEDx Columbia Engineering, The Yard, Jacob's Pillow, World Science Festival, and Platform Northeast (Newcastle, England). The company has also performed at Skidmore College for Saratoga Springs Summer Arts Fest, Joyce Soho for the NYFA Bootstrap Festival, the Center for New Media (CT), BAAD (Bronx, NY), the Greenspace (Queens, NY) and at SUNY Purchase (Westchester, New York). Trainor's choreography has been performed by dancers by Polaris Dance Theatre (Portland, OR), Nacre Dance Company (Albany, NY), Northumbria University (Newcastle, England), Providence College (RI), Murray State University (KY) and Kennesaw State University (GA). trainordance.org

About Caitlin Trainor

Caitlin Trainor is a choreographer, dancer, and the director of Trainor Dance. Called "pure dance without pretension," her work has been performed on both sides of the Atlantic in conjunction with visual art, poetry, music and film. At the heart of her creative practice is a desire to explore ideas through movement and collaboration. She has taught and performed internationally, creating new work on Polaris Dance, Nacre Dance Company and the students of Providence College. Trainor was a Dance Omi resident (2013) and NYFA grant recipient, and is grateful for ongoing support from Barnard College/Columbia University, where she currently teaches. Before founding the company, Caitlin performed for Sean Curran Company, The Metropolitan Opera, and KDNY.

Program (subject to change): *world premiere


Title TBA*
Choreographer: Caitlin Trainor
Music: Felt by Nils Frahm
Dancers: Emily Craver, Landes Dixon, Allegra Herman, Emily Pacilio and two more
Costume Designer: TBA


Title TBA*
Choreographer: Takehiro Ueyama
Music: TBA
Dancers: Brynt Beitman and Caitlin Trainor
Costume Designer: TBA


"Sandpainting" (2012)
Choreographer: Caitlin Trainor
Music: Paul Lansky
Dancers: Rebecca Arends, Emily Craver, Landes Dixon, Emily Pacilio, Holt Walborn, Aaron R. White
Costume Designer: David Quinn


"Faux Pas", excerpt (2014)
Choreographer: Caitlin Trainor
Music: Piano Concerto #20 and #23 by Mozart
Dancers: Emily Craver, Landes Dixon, Allegra Herman, Emily Pacilio, Holt Walborn, Aaron R. White, Leslie Ziff
Costume Designer: David Quinn


WHAT: NYC Season of Trainor Dance
WHEN: Friday–Saturday, September 18-19 at 7:30 p.m. (includes post-show receptions)
WHERE: Ailey Citigroup Theater, 405 West 55th Street (at 9th Avenue), NYC, Train 1/A/B/C/D Columbus Circle or N/R/Q/W 57th Street
TICKETS: General $25/Students + Seniors $20. For tickets and information, please visit: www.trainordance.org

Photo © & courtesy of Lucas Chilczuk

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