Newberry Library - The Chicago Dance Project, DVD 1, part 1, HMS Media, Inc. records, 2005

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Title The Chicago Dance Project, DVD 1, part 1, HMS Media, Inc. records, 2005

Date 2005

Subject Ballet dancers, Dance, Dance schools, Dancers, Theater

Description Sam Albert, Second City alum and actress, interviews dancers and dance companies in Chicago to gain a deeper understanding of what it means to be a dancer. Sam's first stop is at River North Chicago Dance Company's performance and she speaks to their artistic director Frank Chaves. Frank assures Sam that someone does not need to be a dancer or have any knowledge about dance to enjoy the performances. He tells Sam that it is very important for the company to be accessible and approachable to all people, not just dancers, and that performances are open to any interpretation from the viewer.

After the show, Sam interviews Mari Jo Irbe, rehearsal director and dancer, and Sarah(?), Frank's assistant, about the training, practice, and intelligence it takes to become a skilled dancer. Frank speaks to the idea that the Chicago dance community is not competitive, but supportive of each other's companies. Dancers' athleticism should not be downplayed as well, as one dancer describes how he broke his foot during a performance but kept on dancing to support his group. Frank's lasting remark is that people do not just come to see River North Dance, but to feel River North Dance. Secondly, Sam visits Deeply Rooted Dance Theater. Artistic director and producer Kevin Iega Jeff talks about the dance company's values as being focused on the emotional awareness and expression of dance.

Theatrical elements play a huge role in the performance, with storylines and character-driven choreography, and it's more about the story than movement. Dancers rely on personal experience to inform the acting or emotional aspects of the performance, which they say comes second nature to them after many years of training. The performance seen was commissioned by Dance Africa, National Performance Network, and the King's Art Complex(?), and is about what it is like to live with HIV and AIDS. The performance focuses on the hope and the power of living with life-threatening illnesses.

Duration 27m1s

Format DVDs

Archival Collection Title Dance manuscript collections, HMS Media, Inc. records

Rights Status Copyright Not Evaluated

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Link to Catalog View Finding Aid

Call Number Dance MS HMS Box AV DVD 2

Size 718px × 480px 276.56 MB

Original file name HMS_DVD_1_1.mp4

Unique Identifier NL11HGJT

Visibility Class Public

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