NEW YORK CITY: DANCE CAPITAL OF THE W ORLD!

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1 NEW YORK CITY: DANCE CAPITAL OF THE W ORLD! WHAT IS VICTORY DANCE? The New Victory Theater is thrilled to present VICTORY DANCE, a series specially curated to introduce younger audiences to the incredible artistry and diversity of dance in New York City. This four-week dance series will showcase a cross-section of New York-based choreographers and companies. "New York is home to so many extraordinary dancers, choreographers and companies who are thrilled to perform for young people from within their community." DIRECTOR OF ARTISTIC PROGRAMMING A New 42nd Street project New Victory School Tool Resource Guides

A M A R G O R P MEET THE COMPANIES DOUG VARONE AND DANCERS BILL SHANNON Doug Varone and Dancers has commanded attention for its expansive vision, versatility and technical prowess.

2 A M A R G O R P MEET THE COMPANIES DOUG VARONE AND DANCERS BILL SHANNON Doug Varone and Dancers has commanded attention for its expansive vision, versatility and technical prowess. On the concert stage, in opera, theater and on the screen, Varone's kinetically thrilling dances make essential connections and mine the complexity of the human spirit using both the smallest gesture or full-throttle bursts of movement. Bill Shannon is a street performer, renowned dancer and conceptual, interdisciplinary artist who creates site-specific work in galleries, theaters and on the street. Shannon is widely recognized in the dance and performance art world, the underground hip hop and club dance scene, the urban arts movement and the disabled artist community. The recent major focus of Shannon's work has been on bringing dance and movement to audiences as site-specific video installations, and developing wearable video art for performance and entertainment. Doug Varone and Dancers are among the most sought after ambassadors and educators in the field. For the past 17 years, the company s annual summer intensive workshops at leading universities attract students and professionals from around the globe. Varone, his dancers and designers have been honored with 11 Bessie Awards. In celebration of their 30th anniversary season, the company is touring and reconstructing major dances from past repertory, as well as recent new works and company premieres. BUGLISI DANCE THEATRE Founded in 1993 by artistic director Jacqulyn Buglisi, Terese Capucilli, Christine Dakin and Donlin Foreman, who performed together as principal dancers of the Martha Graham Dance Company (Victory Dance, 2015) the award-winning Buglisi Dance Theatre (BDT) is acclaimed for poignant, theatrical dances and imaginative multi-disciplinary collaborations that promote awareness of social issues and embolden audiences to recognize within themselves their own humanity. In her four-decade career as a choreographer, artistic director, dancer and master teacher, Jacqulyn Buglisi has made an indelible impact on the field of dance. Using literature, history, and heroic archetypes as primary source material, Buglisi crafts dances that promote awareness of global issues and of the human condition. DECADANCETHEATRE New York Dance and Performance Award (Bessie) nominee for Outstanding Emerging Choreographer, Decadancetheatre has been redefining theatrical hip hop since Based in Brooklyn, Decadancetheatre has become a key ambassador of authentic hip hop culture around the world through performances, workshops and creative commissions. Led by artistic director Jennifer Weber, the company represents a global vision of hip hop with an international roster of dancers from the U.S., France, Germany, Norway, Nigeria and Japan. VICTORY 5 A New 42nd Street project NewVictory.org/SchoolTool The New 42nd Street, Inc. New Victory School Tool Resource Guides

B M A R G O R P MEET THE COMPANIES PREETI VASUDEVAN S THRESH (WITH AMAR RAMASAR) Preeti Vasudevan is an award-winning choreographer, educator and movement analyst.

3 B M A R G O R P MEET THE COMPANIES PREETI VASUDEVAN S THRESH (WITH AMAR RAMASAR) Preeti Vasudevan is an award-winning choreographer, educator and movement analyst. She is an exponent of classical Indian dance (Bharatanatyam) creating new provocative contemporary works in the Indian tradition. Original works performed by her company, Thresh, have earned international acclaim for their fresh juxtaposition of traditional and contemporary voices. RONALD K. BROWN/EVIDENCE Founded by Ronald K. Brown in 1985 and based in Brooklyn, EVIDENCE, focuses on the fusion of African dance with contemporary choreography and spoken word. This work provides a unique view of human struggles, tragedies and triumphs. Brown uses movement as a way to reinforce the importance of community in African American culture and to acquaint audiences with the beauty of African forms and rhythms. HEIDI LATSKY DANCE Heidi Latsky Dance (HLD), a New York-based contemporary dance company, dedicates its work to redefining beauty and virtuosity through provocative performance and discourse. It uses performers with unique attributes to bring rigorous, passionate and innovative dance works to diverse audiences. Since its inception in 2001, the company has received numerous awards, commissions and residencies. In 2006, it began the dynamic ongoing project of integrated works featuring people with disabilities. Photo: Yi-Chun VICTORY 6 A New 42nd Street project NewVictory.org/SchoolTool The New 42nd Street, Inc. New Victory School Tool Resource Guides

HANDOUT / INSIDE THE DANCE AFRO-CUBAN DANCE: A collection of ritual Cuban dances, which are best described as free, electric and tribal, that reflects the four main groups of Africans the Arará,

Classical ballet, which originated in Renaissance Italy and established its present form during the 19th century, is characterized by light, graceful movements and the use of pointe shoes with

It is not bound by rhythms and the movement is a release from tension.

sculpture and spirituality. Each gesture and movement contains meaning and serves to tell a specific story.

4 HANDOUT / INSIDE THE DANCE AFRO-CUBAN DANCE: A collection of ritual Cuban dances, which are best described as free, electric and tribal, that reflects the four main groups of Africans the Arará, Kongo-Angola, Yoruba and Carabali who were transported to Cuba. BALLET: Dance form using precise and highly formalized set steps and gestures. Classical ballet, which originated in Renaissance Italy and established its present form during the 19th century, is characterized by light, graceful movements and the use of pointe shoes with reinforced toes. CONTEMPORARY: A free and expressive style of dance that came about in response to more structured dance forms, like ballet and tap. It is not bound by rhythms and the movement is a release from tension. Photo: Jim Carmody Photo: Erin Baiano BHARATANATYAM: One of eight classical dance forms in India, this style of traditional dance is the intersection of dance, music, literature, philosophy, sculpture and spirituality. Each gesture and movement contains meaning and serves to tell a specific story. HIP HOP: A contemporary style of dance that includes a variety of urban dance styles, like b-boying/b-girling, popping and locking. JAZZ: Before the 1950s, jazz dance referred to LYRICAL: A dance style created by merging ballet, jazz and contemporary dance techniques. dance styles that originated from African American vernacular dance. In the 1950s, a new genre of jazz dance modern jazz dance emerged, with roots in Caribbean traditional dance. Moves used In Jazz Dance include Jazz Hands, Sideways Shuffling and Rolled Shoulders. VICTORY 7 NewVictory.org/SchoolTool A New 42nd Street project The New 42nd Street, Inc. New Victory School Tool Resource Guides

5 W HAT DO YOUR KIDS KNO W? BEFORE Prior to attending VICTORY DANCE with your kids, find out what their previous experience is with dance and how much they already know about it. Use the Prior Knowledge questions below as a guide for your reflection. In the process of exploring these areas, you ll spark their curiosity about the show and enhance their anticipation for the trip. How do you define dance? Have you seen dancers live on stage before? What style of dance were they performing? What style of dance do you enjoy most, either as a dancer or audience member? What qualities make a dance piece interesting for you to watch? If you had to put together a program of your favorite dancers (famous or not) who would be on your list? Based on the descriptions in the VICTORY DANCE program that you are going to see, which are you most excited about and why? AFTER Reflect with your kids after the show. What was the experience like of seeing live dance on stage? Has your understanding of dance changed in any way? If so, how? Did any of the dances surprise you? If so, how? Did you have a favorite dance piece? Which was it and why? Do you have a new understanding for the term dance fusion? What do you think it means? BODY ENERGY SPACE TIME (B.E.S.T.) Throughout this resource guide, you and your kids will be introduced to activities around dance. Have them refer to the B.E.S.T. chart (Body, Energy, Space and Time) to help them make interesting choices about their dance movement pieces. The Elements of Dance sets were created through a partnership between Walker Art Center and Perpich Center for Arts Education using frameworks and tools developed by Diane Aldis for Perpich professional development and outreach programs. VICTORY 8 NewVictory.org/SchoolTool A New 42nd Street project The New 42nd Street, Inc. New Victory School Tool Resource Guides

BALANCE ON OFF ENERGY FLOW FREE BOUND WEIGHT STRONG LIGHT FORCE SMOOTH (SUSTAINED) SHARP (SUDDEN) STILLNESS ACTIVE PASSIVE Photo: Erin Baiano SPACE PLACE GENERAL SELF SIZE BIG SMALL NEAR REACH FAR

6 HANDOUT BEING YOUR B.E.S.T. THE ELEMENTS OF DANCE * BODY PARTS HEAD ARMS HANDS PELVIS LEGS ELBOWS ETC. SHAPES CURVED STRAIGHT ANGULAR TWISTED SYMMETRIC ASYMMETRIC RELATIONSHIPS NEAR APART ALONE AROUND BELOW BESIDE ETC. BALANCE ON OFF ENERGY FLOW FREE BOUND WEIGHT STRONG LIGHT FORCE SMOOTH (SUSTAINED) SHARP (SUDDEN) STILLNESS ACTIVE PASSIVE Photo: Erin Baiano SPACE PLACE GENERAL SELF SIZE BIG SMALL NEAR REACH FAR REACH LEVEL HIGH MEDIUM LOW DIRECTION FORWARD BACKWARD SIDEWAYS DIAGONAL UP OR DOWN PATHWAY STRAIGHT CURVED CIRCULAR ZIGZAG FOCUS SINGLE MULTI TIME SPEED SLOW FAST ACCELERATION DECELERATION RHYTHM BREATH PULSE Photo: Nikki Carrara *The Elements of Dance sets were created through a partnership between Walker Art Center and Perpich Center for Arts Education using frameworks and tools developed by Diane Aldis for Perpich professional development and outreach programs. VICTORY 9 NewVictory.org/SchoolTool A New 42nd Street project The New 42nd Street, Inc. New Victory School Tool Resource Guides

7 CREATIVITY PAGE PREPARE AND REFLECT PROGRAM A What will you see at VICTORY DANCE this summer? Take a guess! Before seeing the show, answer the questions below for each of the images shown. After you see the show, fill out the back to reflect on your experience of seeing the show. What is the dance style of each piece? What music do you think each of the performers are moving to? What question do you have for each of the performers? DOUG VARONE AND DANCERS BUGLISI DANCE THEATRE BILL SHANNON DECANDANCETHEATRE TEACHER'S NOTE: PLEASE PRINT DOUBLE-SIDED.

CREATIVITY PAGE PREPARE AND REFLECT Compare and

What is a new question you have for one or more

8 CREATIVITY PAGE PREPARE AND REFLECT Compare and contrast what you thought you would see on stage to the dance pieces presented! What words would you use to describe each piece? How did the music contribute to each performance? What is a new question you have for one or more of the performers in each piece? DOUG VARONE AND DANCERS BUGLISI DANCE THEATRE BILL SHANNON DECANDANCETHEATRE

9 CREATIVITY PAGE PREPARE AND REFLECT PROGRAM B What will you see at VICTORY DANCE this summer? Take a guess! Before seeing the show, answer the questions below for each of the images shown. After you see the show, fill out the back to reflect on your experience of seeing the show. What is the dance style of each piece? What music do you think each of the performers are moving to? What question do you have for each of the performers? PREETI VASUDEVAN S THRESH RONALD K. BROWN/EVIDENCE HEIDI LATSKY DANCE PREETI VASUDEVAN S THRESH (WITH AMAR RAMASAR) TEACHER'S NOTE: PLEASE PRINT DOUBLE-SIDED.

How did the music contribute to each performance?

10 CREATIVITY PAGE PREPARE AND REFLECT Compare and contrast what you thought you would see on stage to the dance pieces presented! What words would you use to describe each piece? How did the music contribute to each performance? What is a new question you have for one or more of the performers in each piece? PREETI VASUDEVAN S THRESH RONALD K. BROWN/EVIDENCE HEIDI LATSKY DANCE PREETI VASUDEVAN S THRESH (WITH AMAR RAMASAR)

NEW VICTORY THEATER SCHOOL TOOL RESOURCE GUIDES

NEW VICTORY THEATER SCHOOL TOOL RESOURCE GUIDES SCHOOL TOOL RESOURCE GUIDES BIG DANCE THEATER, PHOTO: LIZ LYNCH INSIDE Information and handouts to get you ready for the show This section is part of a full New Victory School Tool TM Resource Guide. For