Dance Inspired by Circus Photography is in The Center Ring at the Historic Asolo Theater
Sarasota, FL—April 23, 2010 – Modern dance creations inspired by historic circus photographs take center stage as Moving Ethos Dance Company presents The Center Ring for three performances at the Historic Asolo Theater May 14 – 15. Commissioned by The John and Mable Ringling Museum of Art, the program is presented in conjunction with the exhibition HEYDAY: The Photographs of Frederick W. Glasier.
“This is the third season that we have commissioned the talented choreographic team of Courtney Smith and Leah Verier-Dunn to create new works that speak to and enhance our appreciation and understanding of a museum exhibition,” reports Dwight Currie, Associate Director for Ringling Museum Programs. “Each time they bring a fresh and thought-provoking interpretation that can only be articulated through dance. We are very happy that this year their focus will turn to the circus and the photography of Frederick Glasier.”
As the official photographer for the Barnum & Bailey Circus, Frederick W. Glasier (1866-1950) had unrestricted access to both the grand performances and the backstage life of the circus. His work offers insight into the public and private personalities of some of the greatest entertainers of the most dynamic period of the American circus. For The Center Ring, Smith and Verier-Dunn have created five new works inspired by Glasier’s photography.
The span and scope of the five works range from Sideshow, exploring the balance between the skill and emotional lives of female contortionists and high-wire artists, to Herd Instinct, an investigation into the community dynamics of an ancient species trained to dance for the modern world. The brightly lit, colorful illusions of the circus come alive in Luminescence, while the risks of flying on the trapeze serve as a metaphor for life in Trust Me. The program concludes with Dare to Wear the Foolish Clown Face, a choreographic question surrounding the implications of exaggerated makeup and costumes.
Moving Ethos was founded by Courtney Smith in 2006 as an effort to further the art form of dance on the West coast of Florida. In 2007, Leah Verier-Dunn joined Smith as co-Director, and together, these two Sarasota natives use the art form of dance to reflect the spirit of our culture and enrich our community through performance and education. For The Center Ring they are collaborating with production designer, Aaron Muhl who has designed for the Asolo Repertory Theatre, Orlando Shakespeare Festival, Sarasota Ballet, and Syracuse Stage.
The Center Ring performs at 8:00 p.m. on Friday, May 14 and at 2:00 and 8:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 15. Tickets for the performance are $25 ($20 for Ringling Museum Members) – on Saturday, patrons may purchase a $35 “combo” ticket that includes both the dance performance and admission to the Museum for viewing the exhibitions. All tickets are available at the Historic Asolo Theater Box Office: 941.360.7399 or online: www.ringling.org