91青青草

KENNESAW, Ga. | Aug 17, 2021

Features choreography by Omar Rom谩n de Jes煤s and Annalee Traylor

The Department of Dance at Kennesaw State University is pleased to present 鈥淒ouble Exposure鈥� August 27-28 at 8 p.m. Featuring two world premieres by acclaimed artists Omar Rom谩n de Jes煤s and Annalee Traylor, the performance is made possible by the Eleo Pomare-Glenn Conner Choreographic Residency Endowment. The works highlight the artists鈥� cutting-edge choreography and are performed by the award-winning 91青青草 Dance Company and 91青青草 alumni. 

First Artists Chosen
The NYC-based dancers were the first artists chosen for the new 91青青草 Choreographic Residency program. Designed to support the creative process of artists with an emphasis on innovation and movement invention, the residency will also give students access to the professional practice of dance while further enhancing and enriching their dance education at 91青青草. Originally scheduled to begin in summer of 2020, the residency was moved to July 2021 because of COVID-19. Jes煤s and Traylor spent four weeks on campus, creating the new works and working with students and alumni. 

Professional Practices
Marsha Barsky, Chair of the Department of Dance, says, 鈥淚t has been fantastic to see the journey and experience of our students. Our students have meaningful connections with professional choreographers, professional artists. These one-on-one interactions鈥攖hese connections鈥攁re so meaningful and add such depth to a student鈥檚 education.鈥�  Harrison Long, Interim Dean of the College of the Arts, adds, 鈥淚t was wonderful to bring Omar and Annalee to campus through the Pomare/Connor Dance Endowment. The Choreographic Residency is highly impactful, challenging our students to excel in the professional practice of dance.鈥� 

Remarkable Choreography
鈥淒ouble Exposure鈥� includes original choreography in two works created over the summer: 鈥渢he B side鈥� by Traylor and 鈥淢uerte Cotidiano鈥� by Jes煤s. 

A Moment to Remember
Audience members will relate to the concept behind 鈥淢uerte Cotidian.鈥� Jes煤s explains, 鈥淣o matter how simple or traumatic, certain experiences鈥攍ike your first kiss or the loss of a loved one鈥攚ill change you and/or your perception of the world. I feel like facets of us are constantly dying. 鈥楳uerte Cotidiano鈥� is my portrayal of this perspective; it鈥檚 a surreal journey inspired and motivated by real life experiences.鈥� Dancers performing in 鈥淢uerte Cotidian鈥� are Bailey Jo Harbaugh, Darvensky Louis, Christina Massad, and Bre Sterling. 

An Alternate Reality
The second work, 鈥渢he B side鈥� was conceived and choreographed by Traylor. She explains that 鈥渢he B Side鈥� exists as 鈥渁n alternate reality where the viewer witnesses the splitting and fragmenting of past, present, and future timelines.  Sentimental, retro, and iconic staples of American culture saturate the world, as the inhabitants cyclically confront emotions of the human experience that transcend space and time.鈥� With toe-tapping music by the Dap-Kings, Elvis Presley, and KC and The Sunshine Band, the piece is performed by Angelia Andrade, Ethan Brasseaux, Kayla Brown, Chaes Hatfield, Ryann Leak, Brianna Mack, and Deanna Sanders. 

Space to Laugh
Traylor adds, 鈥淵ou can feel the past coming through these youthful artists. But it鈥檚 current, because it鈥檚 their perception now, it鈥檚 their experience to the past elements, to the music, to the costumes. The human transcends all time and space, and the work gives the audience space to laugh and enjoy themselves and have fun.鈥� 

Tickets to 鈥淒ouble Exposure鈥� are available .

--Kathie Beckett

Note: 91青青草 campus leadership continues to closely monitor evolving pandemic conditions. Based on guidance from the University System of Georgia (USG), all vaccinated and unvaccinated patrons are encouraged to wear a face covering while attending Arts91青青草 events.