Photo / Blaine Truitt Covert
Dancer / Ching Ching Wong + Elijah Labay
WELCOME TO
LOUDER THAN WORDS
Thank you so much for joining us for our Louder Than Words spring show! We are
honored to have you here with us tonight and to premiere the third work from our dear
friend and “soul mate” Ihsan Rustem. Many of you will remember his remarkable
State of Matter that won the 2011 Sadler’s Wells Global Dance Contest and took the
company to London the following year for two standing ovations performances at the
Cultural Olympiad, as well as his stunning second original work for us, Mother Tongue.
We are also thrilled to bring back two of our most requested works, Lucas Crandall’s
gorgeous Blue and Sarah’s epic and dramatic Casual Act that was inspired by the
Harold Pinter play, Betrayal.
ENVISIONED, CREATED, AND
LED BY SARAH SLIPPER,
WE REMAIN DEDICATED TO
PROVIDING CHOREOGRAPHERS
THE OPPORTUNITY TO BRING
THEIR ARTISTIC DRIVES AND
DREAMS TO FRUITION FROM
THE STUDIO TO THE STAGE
AND CHARTING THE FUTURE OF
CONTEMPORARY DANCE.
“... ONE OF THE
HOTTEST DANCE
COMPANIES IN
AMERICA.”
– Portland Stage Reviews
Northwest Dance Project remains dedicated to creating and premiering significant
new works right here in Portland while celebrating the creativity and invention of the
next generation of dance makers. We believe that tonight’s performance will “knock
your socks off” — as The Oregonian has noted our shows will do, and we think
you’ll agree with the Calgary Herald that we have “some of the best dancers you will
ever see.”
The company recently returned from an exciting and very successful two-week German
tour. While it was wonderful to return to Europe and to make new friends and fans, we
are happy to be back to share our art with you.
Just a week after these shows, on March 30th, we will open the doors of our
spacious and beautiful new home and Creative Center located just across the river in
the vibrant and rapidly developing inner eastside at 211 NE 10th Avenue! We could not
be more eager to finally have our own full, professional facilities…and the dancers
simply can’t wait to get into their own dressing room complete with shower! Come
on by and dance with us in our two large, light-filled professional studios – we have
a full range of great dance and fitness classes for adults and youth for the absolute
beginner to the professional dancer.
We also hope you will join us for our GALA AND GRAND OPENING ON MAY 30. It will
be a very special and fun evening full of dance, food and drink, auctions, and special
surprises all hosted by the one and only Tony Starlight. The evening will also mark
the unveiling of our lobby Donor Wall that recognizes the many generous individuals
and organizations that made significant contributions to our capital campaign and the
creation of our new home. And it’s not too late to add your name – please see the
notice in your program and stop by our table in the lobby for information.
Thank you for again being here, we hope you enjoy the show, and thank you for
supporting great original dance made in Portland and Northwest Dance Project!
Sarah Slipper
Artistic Director
Scott Lewis
Executive Director
P1