Get the Picture? It's 'The Portrait Project,' Works Featuring Six Different Choreographers, Dancers, Composers and Musicians

"The Portrait Project" features six dancers with six different creatives and cast. Image courtesy of Periapsis Music and Dance.

BY TAMARA BECK

IMAGINE a dance performance created by a different guest choreographer in collaboration with a composer, for one dancer and one musician. Imagine a half dozen on one program.

It is now a reality. Conceived by Periapsis Music and Dance, it is called "The Portrait Project.”

The series of six new works will feature six dancers and six musicians from Periapsis Music and Dance's resident ensemble.

“The Portrait Project” has its world premiere on 18 and 19 February at GK ArtsCenter (aka Gelsey Kirkland Academy) in DUMBO, Brooklyn.

Music for three of the pieces, including “Reflection” (see video) was scored by company artistic director Jonathan Howard Katz. Guest composers Richard Carrick, Shawn Jaeger and Mary Kouyoumdjian wrote music for the other three.

The guest choreographers are Joshua Beamish, Seán Curran, Miro Magloire, Helen Simoneau, Katarzyna Skarpetowska and Manuel Vignoulle.

The program will also feature excerpts from a new work by Periapsis company choreographers, Erin Dillon and Hannah Weber, set to music by JHK.

Periapsis Music and Dance's season at GK ArtsCenter will continue in March, April and May with the Periapsis Open Series and on 18-20 June with the resident company's spring performances.

Visit http://www.periapsismusicanddance.org/calendar/ to learn more about “The Portrait Project” and Periapsis Music and Dance 2016 season.

Paul Taylor Expands His Umbrella with Paul Taylor's American Modern Dance

Poster for "Esplanade," one of the dances on the Paul Taylor Dance Company 2016 program. Image courtesy of Paul Taylor Dance Company.

COLLABORATIONS abound during the 2016 season in the sphere of Paul Taylor.

Through his new umbrella initiative, Paul Taylor’s American Modern Dance (PTAMD), the country’s most renown living choreographer is presenting numerous entertainments.

All, including performances by the Paul Taylor Dance Company (PTDC), are on the agenda for the coming season, from 15 March to 3 April at Lincoln Center’s David H. Koch Theater..

Expect two premieres dances, choreographed by Larry Keigwin and Doug Elkins.

The major mission of PTAMD is to cultivate and promote American talent in the dance space.

Honoring another great moment in modern dance history, the Dayton Contemporary Dance Company will present Donald McKayle's classic, “Rainbow 'Round My Shoulder on a couple of the PTDC programs.

The Orchestra of St. Luke’s, conducted by longtime Paul Taylor company music director, Donald York, will perform during each program of the season.

A highlight of PTAMD is sure to be a performance of “Diversion of Angels” in honor of the 90th anniversary of the Martha Graham Company. PT performed in the dance his seven seasons as a Martha Graham company member, dating to 1955. (See video of dance performed by Hartford Ballet.)

This will mark the first time the PTDC performs a MG work.

Visit http://www.ptamd.org/LC2016/ to learn more about PTAMD.