The all-female Vox Dance Theatre of Los Angeles performs a diverse array of dance theater works by its founder, Artistic Director, and principal choreographer, Sarah Swenson. A company of women, Vox performances are crafted and steeped in the feminine experience, yet spring from themes of universal appeal, with a potent theatrical dimension. Vox has been enthusiastically greeted everywhere, beginning with the world premiere of Swenson’s signature work, Fimmine, at the Toronto International Dance Festival in 2005, where they “…stilled the entire audience each time they performed…” (Michael Menegon). Since then, Vox Dance Theatre has proven to profoundly engage, move, and transport audiences worldwide, inspiring deep feeling as well as thought.
“Sarah Swenson…a passionate caring for humankind is her artistic motive force.”
-Simone Forti
Vox Dance Theatre rehearses year-round, conducts technique classes in a variety of classical modern dance forms, and maintains an open rehearsal policy to the public. Most of the repertoire is available for re-staging at the pre-professional, conservatory, and university level, with special repertoire suitable for staging with children and teens. Ms. Swenson works with children, teens, and adults at The Colburn School, Los Angeles Unified School District, and California State University, Fullerton, and has also worked with with a variety of abilities. New projects include an adaptation of Fimmine for women in Kimonos, to premiere at The World Festival of Sacred Music at Japan America Cultural & Community Center, Los Angeles. The company has performed locally, nationally, and internationally, with invitations to Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Scotland; Piccolo Spoleto Festival, Charleston, South Carolina; the Toronto International Dance Festival; the Los Angeles Dance Invitational, Southern Los Angeles Contemporary Dance Festival (SOLA); and the Festival de Octubre, Baja, Mexico, among others.
“deeply moving…a magical work.”
-Michael Menegon of the Toronto International Dance Festival about Swenson’s signature piece, Fimmine.
Sarah Swenson, Artistic Director, is a self-defined neo-modernist, and works from a fusion of classical modern dance techniques, theatre, and improvisation. Joyfully committed to the values of classical modern dance, Swenson is known for her stunning use of visual counterpoint, marrying modern dance classicism with a variety of musical forms and traditions. Her deep appreciation and love of music has launched much of her repertoire of the past decade, as has her multi-ethnic heritage. Sarah received her early training at NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, later studying at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, where she danced leading roles in Ailey III. She became Rehearsal Director of Ailey III in 1990, teaching and coaching repertory work for seven years, including the 2nd and 3rd company roles in Ailey’s beloved Memoria. Sarah is a fourth generation teacher of the Lester Horton Dance Technique and taught in the Professional and Junior divisions of The Ailey School, as well as Horton for Actors, Ballet, and Pilates. She was also an Assistant Teacher in the New Visions Dance Project, a dance and music class for visually impaired adults, and has worked with the hearing-impaired, cerebral palsy, and head and spinal cord injury victims. Sarah was on the faculty of AileyCamp/Baltimore for three years, and also taught at Ballet Hispanico before leaving New York in late 1996. She is the former Director of Dance Education at The Wooden Floor, a ground-breaking after-school dance program for low-income youth, whose innovative approach has become a national model. A professional repertory coach and experienced teacher of 25 years, Ms. Swenson and the company conduct residencies tailored for all ages and abilities from youth to professional, teaching Master Classes in technique, repertory and performance. Ms. Swenson has recently built a youth repertoire available for staging on children and teens, and accepts choreography commissions at all levels.
Fimmine (Women) - Using only their gowns and Glass’s thundering polymetric score, seven brides face down one of society’s most loaded rituals. Employing potent imagery and a spirited rhythmic attack, Fimmine exhibits the devotion, sisterhood, and fierce passion these women summon on their way to the altar. Swenson’s signature work.
“…deeply moving…a magical work…”
-Michael Menegon, Toronto International Dance Festival
Brigantesse – Powerful episodes abstracted from the lives of the ferocious women of the legendary Briganti outlaws of 19th century Southern Italy. Rich, dramatic and fiery, with electrifying movement. Uniquely arranged traditional music and potent rhythms by Musicántica, recalling the folk music of the Briganti.
Auriga is a sparkling abstract work is named for a prominent cluster of stars in the northern sky. Auriga is a constellation of relationships ~ quirky, staid, bubbly, and commanding.
Llorando (Crying) – A suite of sensual dances set to four passionate Spanish songs by the late Canadian vocalist, Lhasa de Sela, looks at three women’s heartfelt stories of love and destiny, beautifully partnered by 200 silk flowers.
Technique Classes in Horton or Cunningham Dance Techniques – for dance students and professionals
Master Classes in the dance technique of Los Angeles modern dance pioneer Lester Horton, taught by Sarah Swenson, as well as classes in her own fusion of classical modern styles, or classes in the Merce Cunningham technique taught by Tamsin Carlson. Associate Artistic Director, and former Cunningham faculty member and RUG dancer. Ballet Floor Barre, Classical Ballet, and Dance Composition (all ages and abilities), are also offered.
Repertory Workshops for Dancers in Training
Vox Dance Theatre conducts workshops for re-staging Vox Dance Theatre’s current and former repertoire, leading to informal showings or formal performances. Sarah Swenson is a professional performance coach and is experienced in developing artistry, performance skills, and technique in young dancers and pre-professionals. A teen repertoire has also been recently developed.
Contemporary Dance Classes – for children or adults
Custom designed recreational dance classes for all ages and abilities. Fun for beginners – accessible to all! Also…
Lecture Demonstrations/Open Rehearsals
Vox Dance Theatre offers history and demonstration of the Lester Horton technique, and the particular physical training required for modern dancers. In open rehearsal style, excerpts from Vox Dance Theatre’s repertoire are performed in an informal setting, with time for Q & A.
Pre- and Post-performance Discussions
Vox Dance Theatre & Musicántica enjoy discussing the program, answering questions, and hearing commentary from viewers.
Community Performance Opportunities: children and adults can learn special parts to perform on stage with Vox Dance Theatre and Musicántica. Selected residencies, may require community liaison.
 |
|
|
|
|
||
| OCT 16, 2011 |
World festival of Sacred Music
Japan America Cultural & Community Center Los Angeles, CA |
|
| |
||
| OCT 19-25 2011 |
Festival de Octubre Instituto de Cultura de Baja CaliforniaMexico |
|
| |
||
| JAN 8, 2012 | Pentacle’s Gallery Showcase The Theater at Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis High School 120 West 46th St (bet 6th and 7th Aves) 7:00 – 10:00 pm Vox Dance Theater: 8:48 pm |
|
| |
||
| APR 14, 2012 | Diavolo Dance Theater Los Angeles, California |
|
| |
||
| MAY 18, 2012 | Herbert Zipper Concert Hall Los Angeles, California http://www.colburnschool.edu/ |
|
| |
||
| JUN 3, 2012 | The Geffen Contemporary at MOCA Los Angeles, California http://www.moca.org/museum/moca_geffen.php? |
|
| |
||
| NOV 3, 2012 | San Bernardino Valley College San Bernardino, California |
|
