Thursday November 10, 2011 - This afternoon I dropped in at Bennyroyce Royon's rehearsal of his new creation for Columbia Ballet Collaborative; entitled TABU, the dancework is set to music of Zoe Keating. The piece calls for ten dancers (above: Erin Arbuckle) but they were not all present in the studio today. Nevertheless I was able to get a good idea of the seductive and mysterious TABU in which the dancers move which the fluidity that characterizes Benny's vision of dance.
Benny tries out a partnering sequence with dancer Clinton Edward Martin. Clinton dances with TAKE Dance and is also embarking on his own choreographic venture.
I wasn't having very good luck today photographing the dancing so I was glad when everyone took a break to discuss costuming for the piece:
Erin and Benny
Serena, John, Rebecca & Clinton trying on various bits of lace and leather. Benny wants a sexy look with some skin, and he's toying with masks and body paint as well.
Clinton Edward Martin and Serena Mackool
John Poppe; John's dancing in three works for the Collaborative.
Rebecca Walden
Erin Arbuckle
The Columbia Ballet Collaborative performances are November 18th and 19th at Manhattan Movement and Arts Center, and November 20th at Streng Studio, Barnard College. Information here. Some news of the other choreographers here.