SCARLET
To remain objective invites a sense of neutrality - can bodies of gender, color, or experience ever be neutral? Perhaps we do not want them to be. The work revolves around the social implications that directly affect the way we attend to, take notice of and develop within our own bodies. Inspired to review the implicit power of gender and the ways biopower effect the way we experience various bodies in motion; this work is an exploration of our bodily experience.
Choreography: Nicole von Arx (in collaboration with the dancers)
Performance: Nicole von Arx, Julia Discenza, Christine Flores, Claude Johnson, Zachary Gonder
Premiere: Judson Memorial Church, New York, USA September 21 & 22, 2019
Duration: 40min
Support: Judson Memorial Church and The New York Swiss Consulate
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Julia Discenza
Julia Discenza was born and raised in Hartford, CT. In 2014, she earned her B.A. in Biology and Dance from Barnard College, Columbia University. She has studied contemporary dance in Paris, Berlin, and Italy, where she trained in Flying Low, Countertechnique and Gaga. Julia has performed with Colleen Thomas Dance, Trainor Dance, NathanTrice|RITUALS, Stefanie Nelson Dancegroup, Soluq Dance Theater, MICHIYAYA, Pilobolus, Gibney Dance Company, Bryan Arias, Gregory Dolbashian’s DASH Ensemble, NobleMotion Dance, and is a current collaborator with Nicole Von Arx and Guests. Also a professional photographer and filmmaker, Julia has choreographed, directed, shot, and edited dance films for the past several years.
(ig @jdisc)
Photo by Scott Shaw
Zachary Gonder
At the age of five, Zachary Gonder started dancing at The Dance Connection, a local studio in his hometown north of Chicago. He then trained at the Chicago Academy for the Arts High School under the tutelage of renowned choreographer Randy Duncan. He graduated from Juilliard in 2018 and performed works there by Austin McCormick, José Limón, Aszure Barton, Pam Tanowitz, Richard Alston, Gustavo Ramirez Sansano and Crystal Pite. Zachary has worked for BODYTRAFFIC in L.A. as well as the Barton Sisters’ Axis Connect Program. He performed in Pam Tanowitz’s ‘Four Quartets’ at Bard College and the Barbican Theatre in London. Currently he also dances for Brian Brooks Moving Company and Zvi Dance. Zachary is excited to be dancing with NVA & Guests.
(ig @zag11)
Photo by Richard Corman for Axis Connect
Christine Flores
Christine Flores is originally from Toronto, Ontario and graduated from New World School of the Arts (Miami) in 2015 with a BFA in Dance. She received additional training at Springboard Danse Montreal, the Contemporary Program at Jacob's Pillow, and Cunningham Fellowship workshops. She has worked with Peter Chu, Crossman Dans(c)e, Isodoc Dance Group, Emma Portner, Chase Brock Experience, and Tania Perez Salas Dance Company (Mexico). Christine is currently based out of New York City and is working with Pam Tanowitz Dance, Company XIV, Caleb Teicher & Company, and Shinsa Collective. She has taught numerous workshops in NY and Canada, such as Beyond Movement Intensive and at Sean Boutilier Academy of Dance, as well as masterclasses for Pam Tanowitz Dance. Christine is thrilled to be working with Nicole von Arx!
(ig @christinefl0res)
Photo by Stephanie Crousillat
CJ
Claude “CJ” Johnson hails from Chicago IL, where he began his formal dance training at the Chicago Academy for the Arts under the direction of Randy Duncan. He later on continued his dance training at Suny Purchase College where he received his BFA in theater performance and composition. He was awarded the Adopt-A-Dancer Scholarship. Cj’s has performed works by choreographers Johannes Weiland, Aszure Barton, Doug Varone, Kevin Wynn, Rosalind Newman, Alexandra Beller, and Stuart Loungway. Cj also attended intensive dance programs Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Doug Varone summer intensive, Movement Invention Project, and Springboard Dance Montreal under the direction of Alexandra Wells where he performed work by Shannon Gillen and Elia Mrak. Cj is also a company member of "Abraham In Motion" under the Artistic Directorship of Kyle Abraham as of August of 2017.
(ig @cj4400)
Caitlin TayloR (Costume Designer)
Born and raised in the Poconos, Pennsylvania, Caitlin moved to New York City to attend Marymount Manhattan College where she graduated with a B.F.A. in Dance. In addition to her background in dance, Caitlin works in costume production. After graduation, she began working as a costume and wardrobe assistant for the Ailey School and Elena Comendador at Treehouse Productions, building for companies such as Shen Wei Dance Arts, Complexions, and American Ballet Theatre’s Make A Ballet. Caitlin has designed costumes for Marymount Manhattan College, Cirio Collective, Sidra Bell Dance New York, MADBOOTS, The Dash Ensemble, LoudHound Movement, and has also done costume reconstruction for Alexander Whitley Dance Company and the touring production of RENT. Caitlin has done wardrobe independently for Stephen Petronio Company, Shen Wei Dance Arts, The Juilliard School, Limón Dance Company, and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Assisting designer Marc Eric Rodriguez, Caitlin recently worked on commissions for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Ailey II, 10HL, and Ballet X.
(ig @caitlingtaylor)
Photo by JJ Geiger
Tommy Cobau
(Prop Designer)
Tommy is a milliner and costume crafts artisan based in New York, NY. After graduating from the University of Cincinnati CCM, he has worked with many theatrical companies including the Santa Fe Opera, Lynne Mackey Studio, and Arnold S. Levine Inc. making headwear and accessories for Broadway and regional companies from coast to coast. (https://www.tommycobau.com | ig @tommycobau)