Wednesday January 6, 2010 afternoon - Popped over to the Baryshnikov Center to watch a showcase performance which was the culmination of a Winter Intensive programme offered by Amy Marshall Dance Company. Above: from Amy's 2005 work HOMELAND, a Lois Greenfield photo.
This past summer, Kokyat and I had a ball at Amy's showcase presentation and I was wishing that K was along with me today to document the performance of the young dancers, some of whom I remembered from the Summer Intensive. The industrial-look studio in the late afternoon light would have delighted my photographer/friend.
There were about two dozen students participating and they began the afternoon by dancing excerpts from two of Amy's works, Duet and In Fieri. As always in a large group, some dancers caught the eye either by virtue of their technical skill, their physical attractiveness or their sense of commitment. Two girls I'd seen previously were impressive on all counts today: Samantha Hillegass from Pennsylvania and Katie Schultz of New York City.
We were then treated to a performance of part of Vortex by the dancers of Amy's Company. This was a thrilling experience at close range - the sheer vitality of the movement was given full value. An underlying feeling of ritual is offset by flashing combinations and integrated cartwheels executed with swift clarity. Chad Levy, Amy's husband, danced as if giving a performance - so much power, security and abandon in his every move. All the dancers are exceptional so that hearing of the standing ovations they've received on their recent tours seems only natural. In Lois Greenfield's photo above: Chad Levy and Laura Halzack.
Last summer Amy created a spectacular finale for her Intensive showcase and she did so again today with a 9-minute extravaganza set to the Beethoven 9th. All the participating dancers were sent flying and whirling around the space and each had his or her particular moment to shine. As in all of Amy's choreography athleticism, musical awareness and sheer stamina pay dividends for those dancers committed to the style.
This exhilarating hour in the studio was truly energizing: I left the Baryshnikov in very good spirits and walked up to Lincoln Center during the blue hour on this very brisk winter's day.
Above: Kokyat's photo from last Summer's Intensive: dancer Aileen Roehl, Amy Marshall, Chad Levy and dancers Amy Karigan and Louis Acquisto.
Amy Marshall Dance Company will be at Ailey Citigroup Theater March 25th - 28th, 2010.
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