April 3, 2021 at 5pm EST

Via ZOOM

We are proud to bring back our Fall 2021 Mertz-Gilmore Creative Stipend Artists in Residence: Debbie Mausner, Joyce King, and Kristen Klein to talk about their site-specific performances for Union Street Dance’s Underground Movement, Vol. 5.

Dancers (L to R) Eleanor Altholz, Carolyn Silverman, Nadia Halim; Photo by SD Diamond

Program

together, apart – working title – an excerpt

JKing Dance Company 
Choreography: Joyce King 
Dancers: Kat Bark, Maggie Fischer, Kelly Hogan 

Music: Savfk 

Videographer: Debbie Mausner 

“together, apart” is a new work-in-progress born out of Artistic Director Kings’ questions on health and well-being. Which dominates? Our mental, physical, or emotional health. Portrayed by three female dancers as ‘roommates,’ we explore the impact and challenges when one aspect is faltering or leading, dormant, even complacent. What will it take to create a sense of life balance?

Union Street Dance’s Underground Movement, Vol. 5 

October 2 & 3, 2021 

LOCATION Whitwell Pl between 1^st and Carroll St, Brooklyn, NY. 

Union Street Dances’ Artist in Residence and Underground Movement, Vol. 5 performances were made possible by Union Street Dance home of Eva Dean Dance with funding from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation. 

groupthink

Inclined Dance Project 
Choreography: Kristen Klein 
Dancers: Sara Erikson, Maria Gardner, Kristen Klein, Shannon McGee 

Music: Soundscore featuring music by Mika Vainio, Cicada Duo, Byetone, and Godspeed You! Black Emperor 

Videographer: Debbie Mausner 

“groupthink” explores how group dynamics influence identity, individual thought processes, and emotional responses. Development of the work began in 2019 through a series of discussions with the performers ranging in topics from how we identify as artists, how societal standards direct decision making, to personal encounters with friends, family, or strangers. These reflections from the performers were then translated into choreographed phrases, movement patterns, and interactions to mimic either specific events described by the dancers or to evoke particular feelings.  “groupthink” is currently a series of multiple short sections pasted together, creating a broad narrative of dancer interactions. For Underground Movement we are focusing on specific sections of the work to expand and re-develop, specifically focusing on one-on-one dynamics between the performers. The work will feature 4 dancers and is set to a compiled sound score of various artists designed to enhance the mood and tone of the work.

Union Street Dance’s Underground Movement, Vol. 5 

October 2 & 3, 2021 

LOCATION Whitwell Pl between 1^st and Carroll St, Brooklyn, NY. 

Union Street Dances’ Artist in Residence and Underground Movement, Vol. 5 performances were made possible by Union Street Dance home of Eva Dean Dance with funding from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation. 

Relay

Choreography: Debbie Mausner 
Dancers: Eleanor Altholz (10/2 only), Nadia Halim, Carolyn Silverman, Kennedy Thomas (10/3 only) 

Music: Bonobo & Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs 

Videographer: Debbie Mausner 

Relay is a study of the process of transference — of how movements and ideas are transferred across space, time, and bodies, and of what is gained, lost, or altered in the process. It is also an exploration of repetition and disruption. How do we return to something known, and yet find new ways of approaching it that keep it moving forward? What happens when those repetitions are interrupted, and how can those moments of disruption repurpose the process? A reimagining of a quintet created in the tennis courts of South Oxford Park, Fort Greene, this trio adaptation for [Whitwell Pl] will approach this new site with curiosity, play, and rigor.

Union Street Dance’s Underground Movement, Vol. 5 

October 2 & 3, 2021 

LOCATION Whitwell Pl between 1^st and Carroll St, Brooklyn, NY. 

Union Street Dances’ Artist in Residence and Underground Movement, Vol. 5 performances were made possible by Union Street Dance home of Eva Dean Dance with funding from the Mertz Gilmore Foundation. 

Photo 1: Debbie Mausner photos, PC: Adisa Duke; Photo 2: JKing Dance Company, PCL Eric Bandiero; Photo 3: Inclined Dance Project, PC: Andrew J. Mauney

Eva Dean Dance has a long history granting Brooklyn dance artists an opportunity to develop and present new work at our home studio, Union Street Dance.  Our Union Street Dance Artist in Residence programing is made possible by the Mertz Gilmore Foundation Late-Stage Creative Stipend. This RFP is Mertz Gilmore Foundation’s effort to address the insufficiency of resources available to dance-makers in the later stages of their development process. The award comes with monetary support for the project, a space grant at Union Street Dance to rehearse and develop the work, and a public performance presented by Union Street Dance.