Philadelphia, PA -
The Performance Garage announces its new residency program, the Dr. RJ Wallner DanceVisions Residency, and its inaugural awardee, Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet. The program was designed by Executive Director Jeanne Ruddy in order to support a Philadelphia dance artist who exhibits exceptional talent. It provides the selected artist with rehearsal space, technical and marketing support, professional mentorship, and a performance venue in order to create and premiere new works.
“We’re looking forward to Nora’s creation during her residency," said The Performance Garage Executive Director Jeanne Ruddy. "She’s been able to explore her vision of merging ballet with a contemporary modern style that results in work that is structured, ethereal, and abstract.”
This year, the residency has been awarded to Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet. Gibson was selected for her ability to thoroughly immerse her audiences in her work through her meticulous choreography, careful lighting design, and use of original music scores.
"Nora Gibson’s innovative choreography marries futuristic concepts to the classical ballet idiom, drawing on careful lighting design and original music scores to create work that fully immerses her audiences," said Ruddy. " The Performance Garage is proud to support Gibson's innovative work."
Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet is committed to presenting ballet that is both beautiful and intellectually bold. Central to the company’s mission is the pursuit of the question, “What is ballet in the 21st Century?” Nora Gibson preserves the idiom of classical ballet, while at the same time placing it within contemporary contexts through non-traditional composition, subject matter, contextual elements, and collaborations across disciplines. She is inspired by the natural world, mathematics and science, and philosophical concepts.
"The DanceVisions Residency provided me with crucial resources in order to realize new work," said Gibson. "The Performance Garage is truly addressing a need in the Philadelphia dance scene for independent choreographers."
The residency will kick-off this weekend with Nora Gibson Contemporary Ballet premiering a new work, HUMAN. This evening length ballet will run for three performances at The Performance Garage (1515 Brandywine St.) on Friday, April 20, 2018 at 8:00 PM, Saturday, April 21, 2018 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, April 22, 2018 at 3:00 PM (Artist Q & A to follow this performance).
Tickets for HUMAN are on sale now for $18 for general admission and $15 for students/dance professionals at www.pgdancevisions.eventbrite.com, or by visiting www.performancegarage.com. HUMAN runs for forty minutes, with no intermission or late seating. Please note that haze will be used during the performance.
