Photo by Sinru Ku
On Thursday June 13th, 2013, I went with photographer Sinru Ku to Jennifer Muller's studio to see a run-thru of Jennifer's newest work, GRASS. I'd seen an excerpt from the piece at a studio showing in May and was very grateful for this opportunity to have a sneak-preview of the entire piece prior to its upcoming New York premiere: Jennifer Muller/The Works will be performing GRASS at New York Live Arts June 20th thru 22nd, 2013, sharing the programme with Elisa Monte Dance. Ticket information here.
I love visiting Jennifer Muller's studio. Not only is she an excellent hostess but her dancers are always ready to give 200%: they're such an attractive group to begin with, and they're always camera-ready, all in matching black practice outfits and the girls wearing a touch of make-up. But even more than that, they seem always to dance at performance-level. There's an intense atmosphere of commitment both in technique and emotion as well as striking musicality and personal charisma.
Seiko Fujita, foreground, with Rosie Lani Fiedelman and Chellamar Bernard
In the intimate space they are often dancing literally inches from the viewer; splendid extensions seem to be de rigueur here, and there are overhead lifts that nearly brush the ceiling. It's a gorgeous flow of energy.
For GRASS, Jennifer found inspiration in Walt Whitman's poetry; the ballet will be performed to a score which will be played live by composer/cellist Julia Kent. And it will actually be danced on grass.
Rehearsal photos by Sinru Ku.