One Choreographers Tale of Dance Making

Beginning of article

There are times when a written word, poem, or story urges the choreographer to go to the studio and begin moving. This was not one of those times. There are times when the needs of the dancers dictate what we create for them. This was not one of those times. There are times when an idea comes to us in a dream. This was not one of those times. There are times when world issues force us into the studio. This was not one of those times. There are other times when the need to create awakens in us, and we do not know from where it has sprung. This too was not one of those times. This time, for me as a choreographer, creation came from an invitation.

The Invitation

The invitation was to create an evening of dances that represented the work of Dan Tapper, a master stone sculptor. He was seeking a way to bring out the shades of color, structure, and translucent qualities of the stone sculptures that would otherwise go unnoticed in a conventional gallery, especially with the distractions of other art on display. The Black Box Theater was to be the perfect stage for him.

I had never collaborated with a sculptor, so this project had intriguing possibilities. From the first moment that Dan talked about his work, I knew I was "in." Upon visiting the gallery that was exhibiting several of his pieces and then his studio, I fell in love with what I perceived as rare jewels, five sculptures that seemed to sing to me. Hence, the performance …