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Melvin E. Taylor
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Felice Lesser Dance Theater - 30th Anniversary

by Melvin E. Taylor
November 15, 2006
37 Arts, 450 West 37th Street between 9th and 10th Avenues, 4th Floor
Felice Lesser Dance Theater Celebrates 30th Anniversary with a "Living Movie"

"Ms. Lesser knows her dance world and her ear for dialogue is acute. She also has a delicious sense of humor. And she makes fascinating use of computer-generated dance figures, projected on a panel hanging midstage in moments of fantasy." â€" Jennifer Dunning
New York, NY â€" (October 5, 2006) - Focusing on the difficult lives of freelance dancers who work in small companies, Felice Lesser's dance and video work, I AM A DANCER, will be premiered during her company's 30th Anniversary season at the Studio Theater of Baryshnikov Arts Center, November 15th-18th. Tickets are $25.00 General Admission, $22.00 Students/Seniors, and are available through TheaterMania.com. (212) 352-3101, (866) 811-4111. Baryshnikov Arts Center is located at 37 ARTS, 450 West 37th Street (between 9th and 10th Avenues), 4th floor. Performances will take place November 15th, 16th, 17th and 18th at 8 pm, and November 18th at 2 pm. The performances on the 15th, 16th, 17th, and the matinee on the 18th will be followed by "Meet the Artist" discussions.
Set to Brahms' Cello Sonatas, the work will look at these committed artists who support their art with "survival jobs," and never receive enough money or credit for the work they do. It will delve into issues confronting today's performers such as what happens when the all too short career ends, the stresses of working multiple jobs totally unrelated to dance, futures without financial security, injuries, aging, body image, personal relationships, and the artist's dubious status in our society. The audience will also witness the passion and drive that makes dancers choose to live their lives doing what they love at the cost of so many other things. Designed as a "living movie" (a form in which Lesser pits live dance against a moving set of projected video), I AM A DANCER will show off its performers in solo and group dances, having them perform against their own images used as graphic montages, or sometimes as virtual performers. Videotaped interviews will alternate with the dances, bringing the audience directly into the lives of the people performing right in front of them, and giving parts of the work the look of a live documentary.
The live cast will include Lauren Toole (formerly of the New York City Ballet), Kristin Licata (a graduate of the Ailey/Fordham Program), Jacqueline Sherwood (formerly of the Joffrey Ballet), and Taylor Garrabrant (who just returned from the Netherlands, where she worked with the Movement Network). In addition, Ha-Chi Yu, Melissa Medina, and Jose Rivera will be featured on video.
In its thirty year history, FLDT has produced over forty new dance works, a full-length play about dance and dancers, television programs, and many contemporary music and art collaborations. Support for these performances has been received thus far from the Bossak/Heilbron Charitable Foundation, The Harkness Foundation for Dance, Freed of London, The Experimental Television Center's Presentation Funds, and the Field's FAR Residency Program.
Interviews can be arranged by emailing or calling Melvin E. Taylor @ 718-507-2969 or infomelvinetaylor@gmail.com.
Press Coordinator - Melvin E. Taylor â€" Walker International Communications Group â€" www.walkercommunicationsgroup.com â€" Telephone - 718-507-2969 or Email infomelvinetaylor@gmail.com
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