COMPANY BIO ARTISTIC STATEMENT

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COMPANY BIO Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, REED DANCE first planted its roots five short years ago when Greer Reed applied for the Fellowship Program through the August Wilson Center.

1 COMPANY BIO Hailing from Pittsburgh, PA, REED DANCE first planted its roots five short years ago when Greer Reed applied for the Fellowship Program through the August Wilson Center. With a mission of training dancers and creating a bridge for them from high school to college, college to the professional stage, the ensemble quickly became a force on its own. The ensemble expresses the unique culture of African Americans in Western Pennsylvania and bridges it with African culture from around the world. As the former August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble, the company rose to Summer Stage in Central Park (NY), Suriname (South America), Top 25 To Watch! in Dance Magazine 2012, to finally closing Jacob s Pillow s Inside/Out Festival, one of the biggest and most prestigious dance festivals in the world. With growth comes change, and REED DANCE moved forward in 2013 with Greer s original intent, vision, and mission to continue the excellence and standard the ensemble has already set. REED DANCE is now bringing the multicultural community together in a professional, educational environment while preserving the African American experience. With an engaging and spirited group of dancers, REED DANCE is known for setting the audience ablaze with energy. Not only versatile in their shape, size, and color; the ensemble has a powerhouse of repertory that features the beauty of athleticism. REED DANCE is committed to staying on the pulse of contemporary dance through its world-class repertory, with choreographers such as: Kyle Abraham, Sidra Bell, Camille A. Brown, Terence Greene, Christopher Huggins, Kevin Iega Jeff, Kiesha Lalama, and Darrell Grand Moultrie. ARTISTIC STATEMENT REED DANCE is committed to staying on the pulse of contemporary dance through its world-class repertory and diverse group of dancers bringing the multicultural community together in a professional, educational environment while preserving the African American experience. With growth comes change. Previously of 2014, REED DANCE was formally known as August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble. In transitioning with the same intent, vision and mission, REED DANCE is continuing its excellence and standard that it has already set and pushing to new heights and goals with determination to spread the love of dance to all.

FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR GREER REED A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Greer began early training with the Pittsburgh Black Theater Dance Ensemble.

2 FOUNDING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR GREER REED A native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Greer began early training with the Pittsburgh Black Theater Dance Ensemble. Upon graduation from high school, her intensive dance education continued at the University of the Arts, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and the Dance Theater of Harlem in New York. Having successfully completed the Certificate and Merit scholarship programs at the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater School, she became a member of the outstanding Ailey II. Advancing her career opportunities, she became a contracted dancer with the internationally acclaimed Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, (DCDC) in Dayton, Ohio. During her ten years with DCDC, she has worked closely with internationally renowned choreographers and directors, touring extensively throughout the US and abroad. Retiring from the professional concert stage in May 2001, she was the recipient of the coveted Josie Award ; named for the founder of the Dayton Ballet; this annual award recognizes the highest standard of artistic excellence in concert dance. During her ten-year career with DCDC, Ms. Reed became well established and recognized as a master instructor of the Horton (Modern) Technique. Upon retirement, Ms. Reed joined and taught at Pittsburgh s Civic Light Opera Academy and the Pittsburgh High School for the Creative and Performing Arts Dance Department faculties. Ms. Reed is a Master Instructor for the USA International Ballet Competition, in Jackson, Mississippi, for which she was originally invited in During the summer of 2003, Ms. Reed was Master Instructor at the six week Bates College Dance Festival, held annually in Maine. During the summer of 2002, Ms. Reed also taught at the Pennsylvania Governor s School for the Arts, Mercyhurst College, Erie, PA for the six week intensive. She continues to be a guest Master Instructor annually for several programs. Since her return to the Pittsburgh area, she has been dedicated to a multitude of special projects within the community and educational institutions. Ms. Reed has also choreographed several special projects such as the Steelers Style 2003, the Pittsburgh Steelers fundraising fashion show, Kuntu Repertory Theater s production of Sophisticated Ladies, for which she won an Onyx Award for best choreography, and Pittsburgh City Theater s award winning production of Crowns just to name a few. Ms. Reed has been consistently recognized for her dedication and passion to the community and mentoring young dancers. Part of the New Pittsburgh Courier s first group of recipients for the Pittsburgh Fab 40, she was recognized for outstanding talents and leadership of forty African American Pittsburgh individuals under the age of forty. The Pittsburgh Creativity Project Award for creating her summer dance program, Jones Summer Dance Intensive, which debuted at the Dance Alloy Theater in the summer of In June of 2009, Ms. Reed received the Urban Heroes Award for her contributions to the regional community as well as Pittsburgh Courier s 50 Women of Excellence. In honor of Black History Month 2010, Ms. Reed was awarded one of ten History Makers Awards honoring young African American leaders of today. Ms. Reed, from , stepped in as Artistic Director for Dance Alloy Theater, Pittsburgh s premier modern dance company. In 2009, she received an August Wilson Center Fellowship to create the August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble which is now the center s resident dance company. The August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble was named Dance Magazine s 2012 Top 25 to Watch. With growth comes change; in 2014 the August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble transitioned into REED DANCE.

3 EDUCATION & OUTREACH Varied activities are designed to support each community s needs. Taught by Artistic Director, Greer Reed and/or seasoned members of the company, master classes and lecture demonstrations are offered to a wide range of abilities and backgrounds, from teens to seniors, from butchers to ballerinas. Outreach activities include: COMMISSIONED WORKS Area created for the specific site event, group or company student or professional. CHOREOGRAPHY WORKSHOPS Are informal performances that actively involve participants in the artistic process, at the same time introducing the company s aesthetics. Contents vary and are tailored to each audience. MASTER CLASSES (beginning to advanced, novice to professional artist) Modern dance technique, Improvisation, Composition, Theatrical Movement, and Partnering classes are offered at all levels and are accompanied by a live accompanist. POST-SHOW TALKBACKS Post-performance talk with the dance members and Artistic Director that offers audience members an opportunity to ask questions. Provides the audience with a better appreciation of the presented work. Participants love the chance to meet the artists on an informal basis and get to know the individuals behind the performance.

TOURING PERFORMANCES Feb 2014 Montgomery County Community College Past Tours Blue Bell, PA Performance + Lec Dem Feb 2014 Butler County Community College Butler, PA Performance + Lec Dem Sept 2013

4 TOURING PERFORMANCES Feb 2014 Montgomery County Community College Past Tours Blue Bell, PA Performance + Lec Dem Feb 2014 Butler County Community College Butler, PA Performance + Lec Dem Sept 2013 Millersville University Winter Center Millersville, PA Performance + Lec Dem Aug 2013 Jacob s Pillow Inside/Out Beckett, MA Closing Performance Jun 2013 AFTA s Opening Pittsburgh, PA Opening Performance Jun 2013 Princeton Day School Princeton, NJ 3-day Residency Apr 2013 Grier School s Grier Gala Tyrone, PA Performance + Workshop Mar 2013 Slippery Rock University Slippery Rock, PA 3-day Residency Feb 2013 Grier School Tyrone, PA 4-day Residency Oct 2012 US Embassy in Suriname South America 5-day Residency Aug 2012 Jazz Dance World Congress Pittsburgh, PA Performance Apr 2012 Grier School s Grier Gala Tyrone, PA Performance + Workshop Mar 2012 Delaware University Newark, DE Performance Jul 2011 Summer Stage New York, NY Performance Upcoming Tours April 5 6th, 2014 Grier Gala Tyrone, PA May 16 17th, 2014 Pushing Progress Showcase New York, NY April July 2014 Jasmine Tate/Reed Dance Collaboration Tour New York, NY; Columbus, OH Phoenix, AZ; Boston, MA Philadelphia, PA; Los Angeles, CA

TOURING REPERTORY Now You Can Let Go Legacy Breath Faith

Greene Christopher Huggins Chaos Mothers of War Hot

Christopher Huggins Greer Reed Melissa Tyler * In addition

5 TOURING REPERTORY Now You Can Let Go Legacy Breath Faith The List Sidra Bell Crystal Frazier Terence Greene Terence Greene Christopher Huggins Chaos Mothers of War Hot Jambalaya Everything Must Change Christopher Huggins Christopher Huggins Greer Reed Melissa Tyler * In addition to the above ensemble pieces, the company has a range of duets and solos.

6 REVIEW ARTICLE Dance Review: Just Us The Journey Continues by Reed Dance Monday, March 17, posted by Michael Simms on Coal Hill Review- Written by Adrienne Totino Over the weekend, Reed Dance premiered Just Us The Journey Continues. The show was their first since leaving the August Wilson Center. Despite the group s makeover (several new company members and a smaller performing venue), they emerged as bold and fiery as ever. The Alloy Studios was a great place to see the dancers up close and personal. The small black box allowed for many of the perks of a traditional theater intricate lighting design, raked seating, and a lobby for chit-chat. And with its intimacy, we were able to see the dancers vivid expressions and the details of their movements. Reed chose six works for the program, a blend of old and new repertoire. Terence Greene, a Cleveland choreographer who has worked with the company quite a bit, presented two joyful and expressive large group pieces. Breath and Faith both had an infectious, crowd-pleasing effect. Each dance accentuated Greene s contemporary and African styles, which the performers handled with ease. The costumes stood out as well. In Breath, local artist, Vanessa German, made exquisite dresses for the women black and deep orange with detailed patterns. For Faith, Cleveland School of the Arts provided long robes for the men and bright blue, flowing dresses for the women. Faith closed the show, as it always should, and had the audience clapping, singing and raising their hands as if in Sunday Baptist church, Greene s imagined setting for the piece. Kaylin Horgan performed the female solo this time around. Her effervescence lit up the stage (maybe even the entire neighborhood), convincing and moving. NYC choreographer, Christopher Huggins, also had two works in the show Mothers of War and The List. The former portrayed the agonizing truths of war. An emotional duet between Antonio Brown and Rebekah Kuczma bookended the dramatic progression from the group throughout. The latter piece also described painful anguish, following one Jewish family s horror through the Holocaust. To break up the high-energy tempo of the show, two smaller works perfectly changed the pace. In the first half, Brown performed a solo called Knock Knock. The piece showed off his seemingly liquid joints and athleticism. Utilizing powerful text and a pulsating beat, Brown told the story of one man s navigation through life without a father. In the second half, Kaylin Horgan and Rebekah Kuczma performed a world premiere by NYC choreographer, Sidra Bell. Now You Can Let Go was perhaps the most unique piece in the show. With quirky, angular gestures and unpredictable partnering, the movement was sometimes tender, and oftentimes curious. Reed said the duet spoke to the women s friendship. Just Us proved that Reed Dance will continue to shine under their new name. Each dancer had the versatility to perform the company s wide range of repertory, with stamina and finesse as stunning as always.

7 CONTACT INFORMATION Greer Reed Jocelyn Hrzic Artistic Director Tour Booking

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