Baltimore Dance Project returns to UMBC’s Performing Arts and Humanities Proscenium Theatre for its 33nd year with a dynamic program. The company will premiere several new works: Doug Hamby’s Square Breath for six women with an interactive sound score performed by Eliza Triolo and Christian Hartman; Hamby’s Letting Go, a meditative solo on loss and memory performed by Maia Schechter; Hamby’s Two Songs by John Cage with music performed live by mezzo-soprano Janice Jackson and percussionists Tom Bryant and Josh Miller; Carol Hess’ vibrant LightForest featuring five dancers, colorful projections and score by Timothy Nohe via wearable sound devices; and a new duet by Desiree Koontz-Nachtrieb.
The program also includes encore performances of 2016 favorites Lost, Sandra Lacy’s mysterious solo, and Image in Red, Carol Hess’ reconstruction of Janet Soares’ sumptuously beautiful solo choreographed on Hess in 1980. Hess re-constructed Image in Red and set it on Franki Trout. Trout ’13, dance, now teaches dance in Anne Arundel County’s first Performing and Visual Arts Magnet Program at Annapolis High School.
These works will appear on stage February 9–11. Integrating innovative sound and visuals through collaborations with artists such as Nohe, professor of visual arts, they reflect the company’s deep commitment to an interdisciplinary approach.
Baltimore Dance Project is a professional modern dance company dedicated to presenting the creative work of Doug Hamby and Carol Hess, professors of dance at UMBC who are described as “two of the most exciting choreographers in Maryland.” Formed in 1982 under the name Phoenix Dance Company, the company is known for its edgy collaborations with composers, directors, sound artists and visual artists, and for infusing visual media and technology into riveting dance performance. The company features outstanding professional dancers and has been honored with numerous grants and awards. Hamby, Hess, and company veteran Sandra Lacy have received a total of twelve individual artist awards from the Maryland State Arts Council, and their work has appeared in theaters and film festivals across the United States.
Complete performance information and tickets are available through the UMBC Arts & Culture Calendar.
Image: Franki Trout ’13 performing Image in Red in 2016. Photo by Marlayna Demond ’11 for UMBC.
Tags: CADVC, CAHSS, Dance, VisualArts
