Backhausdance: Gaining Momentum

Backhausdance is a company to keep an eye out for.  This Orange County based company's repertoire, strength, and momentum is increasing as audiences begin to take notice.

Artistic director, Jennifer Backhaus, founded this company back in 2003.  Since then Backhaus has had increasing success.  She was named OC Metro’s 40 Under 40 in 2009 and received an honor from Chapman University (where she is currently a professor) by being named Alumni of the Year.

Backhausdance currently has 9 company members and 2 company apprentices.  All of the dancers involved with this company are talented dancers and performers that can be commended for their artistry and athleticism.  

Most recently Backhausdance premiered The Elasticity of the Almost at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach, Calif.  

          

Video Clips and interviews of Backhausdance performing

 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.

This piece was unique to Backhausdance.  Jenny Backhaus is a choreographer that likes to push boundaries artistically, choreographically, and physically.  The Elasticity of the Almost was no exception.

Backhausdance dancer's navigating through the maze
 of red balls. Picture courtesy of castanet. 

The piece of art presented by Backhaus incorporated a prop.  Balls.  Huge, red, bouncy, tiny, plastic, and colorful balls.

The performers remained completely composed while dancing in between the obstacles created by the props.  The piece was overall exciting and completely breathtaking.  Audiences were on the edge of their seats and were not disappointed.

Backhausdance is a company to keep on the radar as their successes continue to increase.  Visit the Backhausdance website for more information about upcoming performances, open classes, auditions, and summer intensive opportunities.

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company performs in SoCal

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company is a New York based company that had their first performance season in 2003-2004.  The company prides itself on its innovative movement, strong dancers, and the work they have performed and created with sought-after choreographers.  

Cedar Lake currently has 16 company members and Alexandra Damiani is the interim artistic director.  This season the company premiered the piece Rain Dogs choreographed by Johan Inger at the Irvine Barclay Theater in Irvine on February 13, 2014. 

                            Video Clip of Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet performing "Rain Dogs"

                                                                                                                                                      

Rain Dogs choreographed by Johan Inger was a comical and quirky piece that commented on what it is to be human and differences between genders.    

The piece opened up with a single dancer on stage standing in front of a closed curtain.  He was dressed in a suit, mumbling, performing over the top gestures, and dancing to a radio.  Once the curtain came up a full cast appeared onstage, with the women in long dresses and the men in suits.  

The most visually pleasing aspect of this dance was a straight line on stage right.  Every other dancer would move across the floor, and then the other dancers would stay in the straight line doing dramatic gestures.  The dancers would then switch roles.  

Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet in Johan Inger’s “Rain Dogs”
 Photo by Ally Duffey. Courtesy of Cedar Lake, Inc.

 

Dancers would run off stage and then return in their underwear, once all were in their underwear they would run off stage and then return in the clothing of the opposite gender.  The men then completed the piece in dresses and the women in suits. 

The repertoire presented included many unique elements from film, shadows, back lighting, fog, and beautiful contemporary movement. 

For more information about the up and coming company, Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet Company visit their website.  The website has information about the company, upcoming performances, workshops, auditions, etc.