Austinist Interviews American Repertory Ensemble

A: It seems like the collaboration between music and dance is a big deal at ARE…

(DJ) The musicians are on stage, not hidden away in an orchestra pit. At times they are featured without dance. Just as we commission new dance, we commission new music for our program as well.

(RD) By constantly changing the performers on stage from only dancers to only musicians to musicians and dancers, the audience is forced to react to each work differently than if it was just a dance concert or just a chamber music concert. By placing both on the stage in a collaborative rather than dominant/supportive relationship, the audience should be drawn into the intimacy between the performers and ultimately react to each work with more depth and intensity than if that intimacy wasn't there.

A: The dancers in this show hail from ballet companies all over the country – Ikolo, now that you've been living in Austin for rehearsals, how are you finding it?

(Ikolo Griffin) I think Austin is great. It reminds me of Berkeley, California. Lots of cool stores and restaurants. I like that there is a lot of nature around. It's great to see deer all over the place.

A: What are your favorite finds so far?

(IG) I love Hula Hut. I went there for my birthday party and had a great time on the back bar over the water. Haven't had to much time to shop, but I would love to buy some cowboy boots and a hat. We went to Halcyon and Light Bar and had lots of fun. I like Pete's Dueling Piano Bar, but the rest of 6th street was so crowded and crazy.

A: So David, I noticed Ikolo isn't the only dancer from out of town – you've got dancers with The Joffrey Ballet, Oregon Ballet Theatre, Boston Ballet, Atlanta Ballet and more -- what's it like working with such a notable group?

(DJ) Working with this group is every choreographer's dream – it is the equivalent of the all stars team. Because we all come from classical ballet technique, we have a common ground from which to begin to build our own unique physical language.

I think the biggest challenge is being selective about what great piece of the puzzle to use when. This is very difficult when everything they do is amazing.

The best part has to be when all of the elements come together in the studio and you are met with a work of art that has the extremes of emotional truth and physical grace, and it feels decadent to be one of the few people in the room privileged to witness its birth.

A: What's your impression of the performance scene in Austin?

(DJ) I think the performance scene in Austin is very strong. There is a nice variety of modern dance and dance theatre, and Ballet Austin has a clear presence on the scene. In terms of the city itself – I feel like we are on the brink of something very important that will put Austin firmly in the nation's mind as a center for arts and culture, and a destination for artists.

There is a strong desire from the city's leaders to see this happen and the evidence is in the support different institutions are able to generate. The trick is to get people to the theatre, see what's happening, and engage in the dialogue that will ultimately define our city.

A: Ikolo – what does the scene look like from an outsider perspective?

(IG) After living in San Francisco, New York and Chicago, I have seen a lot. I can honestly say that Austin is right up there with them, if only it wasn't so hot.

A: What's next for ARE? Where does the company want to be in 2 years, in 5?

(DJ) One of the directions we would like to develop is to be an ambassador of the city – to that end, touring on a modest scale will continue to be part of our activities. After three years we will be in a position to reflect and react. If there is public enthusiasm accompanied by the financial support, we can look at the next evolution of the ensemble towards more performances, an extended roster of artists, or higher profile touring.

One thing that is paramount for us is that we do not get too large to be efficient and effective in our pursuits.

(RD) Over the next three to five years we want to expand our footprint in the community not only in our performances but also in our educational and cultural outreach capacities. We’d like to reach areas and communities in Austin that might not otherwise see fine art such as this by bringing what we do to them.

I would also like to see our repertoire to not only including masterworks of the greats in both fields but also new works and specifically new works by people in the Austin area, both in the classical vein and popular vein.

Dialogues
McCullough Theatre, UT Campus
Friday & Saturday at 7:30
Saturday & Sunday at 2:00
Tickets and info

Special Dialogues Education Event with dancers, composers and choreographers Wednesday at 7pm, Oscar Brockett Theatre, UT Campus (Free).

Tickets and info at the ARE website.

* Big thanks to K.C. Sharnberg for her help with this post!
* Photos © American Repertory Ensemble.