MOTION Dance Theatre holds world premiere dance performances at Diana Wortham Theatre, July 11 & 12

From a press release:

MOTION Dance Theatre holds world premiere dance performances at Diana Wortham Theatre, July 11 & 12

In the summer of 2014, MOTION Dance Theatre will host a choreographic laboratory in Asheville, NC. with select, professional dancers from across the United States. The unique three-week residency culminates in exciting, world premiere dance performances at the Diana Wortham Theatre, July 11 and 12, 2014 at 8pm.

Since 2010, MOTION Dance Theater’s Summer Choreographic Residency Program has paired new and emerging choreographers with dancers from companies across the country, for three weeks of uninhibited creativity.

Founder, Artistic Director and Asheville native, Nick Kepley selects dancers and guest choreographers and provides three weeks of restriction-free time to create new work. The 2014 season (the company’s fifth) will host eight dancers and two choreographers from companies including Ballet Austin, Colorado Ballet, Kansas City Ballet, and Nashville Ballet. Participating choreographers for this season are Michelle Thompson, in her 10th season dancing with Ballet Austin, and Jimmy Orrante, dancer with BalletMet and recipient of the 2005 inaugural Princess Grace Choreographic Fellowship.

“We seek out dance artists who are interested in experimenting with new styles of movement and new ways of working.” said Kepley. “I want dance to feel important, to feel current. I want people to understand that it can convey complex ideas and emotions and that it’s not just about pretty tutus and tiaras.”

“Having the chance to work in such a highly creative environment is incredibly valuable to all of us,” MOTION dancer Angelina Sansone said. “It allows the choreographers to become better at what they do, and it lets us [the dancers] discover new sides of ourselves.”

The performance of each new work is preceded by a short documentary style interview with the choreographer, who personally explains his or her creative process. At the end, audiences are invited to ask questions of the dancers and offer their feedback to the choreographers

“I have had the privilege to serve on several boards, promoting a wide range of worthy causes,” MOTION board president Gina Phillips said. “MOTION is unique… I have no doubt that the work this company is doing is contributing to the landscape of American dance.”