Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble: About the Ensemble

Onward into 2008...

About the Ensemble| Bios | Reviews

Spring Season at the Merce Cunningham Studio

The Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble is busy preparing for our spring season at the Merce Cunningham Studio in New York, made possible by a grant from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA). The program will include Anna Sokolow’s haunting Scenes to the Music of Charles Ives (1971) and the devastating Steps of Silence (1969), a study of the human costs of unjust imprisonment. Also on the program will be a new work choreographed by Jim May, and Souffle d’Air by Samantha Géracht, inspired by the mobiles of sculptor Alexander Calder, with an original sonic landscape created by Argentinean composer Cibo Fernandez (www.cibofernandez.com). This is our second collaboration with Cibo Fernandez (the first was Disguise (2007), choreographed by guest choreographer Anabella Lenzu). We’re grateful for his inspiring creative friendship.

Join us for our pre-performance gala reception. See the Calendar for details.

Anna Sokolow’s Frida in San Antonio - Crossing Borders

Anna Sokolow went to Mexico in 1939 and began an intimate lifelong relationship that continues today through Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble. Jim May, artistic director and company members Lauren Naslund and Samantha Geracht Myers will reconstruct Ms. Sokolow’s last work, Frida at the Northwest Vista College in San Antonio, Texas which has been awarded an NEA American Masterpieces grant for the project. This multimedia work about Frida Kahlo will be set on students from the college who are mostly 1st and 2nd generation Mexican-Americans, as well as dancers from the Central National for the Arts (CNA) dance department in Mexico City who will fly to Texas to join the 3 week workshop in May 2008.

This cross border effort will acquaint the students from Texas with their heritage, bring the dance communities together and most important teach each group this great work my Anna Sokolow. Then the dancers from Mexico will perform Frida for their fellow countryman as a gift from Anna. The dancers from Texas will perform the work in the United States.

Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble endeavors to continue to support our long decades long relationship between these two countries, to create hope of a friendly artistic communication with our neighbors and transcend the political turmoil. And perhaps show that art is the great communicator.

Magritte, Magritte on DVD

The Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble was awarded an NEA grant in 2007 to help the us create a DVD by Gene Ritchings of Anna Sokolow’s theater dance masterpiece Magritte, Magritte; for distribution to libraries, educational institutions, and the general public. The finishing touches are being put on, and the DVD will be available soon. Check our website for an announcement.

“Just Keep Going”

Teaching the next generation is essential to keeping Anna Sokolow’s legacy alive. Our recent teaching work includes master classes and lectures by Jim May on Anna Sokolow at the Museum of Dance, Saratoga, NY, Mills College, Stephens College, and the Miami School of the Arts. Jim May teaches ongoing technique classes at Peridance, in New York City, and will offer a Sokolow technique and repertory workshop this August 18-22 at Peridance, 890 Broadway, 6th Floor, NY, 212-505-0886.

As Anna always said, “Just keep going.” The Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble is dedicated to taking her advice, wisdom, and vision into the future.

Jim May, artistic director

Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble keeps Anna Sokolow’s legacy, described by Walter Sorell as “theater danced and danced theater,” alive. For this program, artistic director Jim May restaged Sokolow’s quintessential dance-theater piece “Magritte, Magritte” (1970), which hasn’t been performed for more than 20 years; the evening also showcased the U.S. premieres of two 2004 works inspired by Sokolow’s creative process: May’s “Starburst” and David Parker’s “La Nef des fous” (Ship of Fools). “Starburst” fused music and dance in a seamless, magical way. It was easy to get caught up in the dancing and forget that the musician/dancers were creating their own beautiful symphony in “La Nef des fous”...their interactions were delightful to watch.

Emily Macel
Dance Magazine, August 2006
Revue of Sokolow Theatre/Dance Ensemble
at Dance Theater Workshop, July 2006

The Sokolow Theatre Dance Ensemble appreciates any and all suppport. Donations to help support our many community efforts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.