Earlier today i was thinking about how most of my favorite dance makers are for the most part Female. A departure from the theory that Choreography is a male dominated field. Im not gonna argue and say that there aren't more male choreographers (does not mean they are any good) out there but it seems to me that the people who are starting to make significant impacts and who are worth there salt are women! Something that i have noticed over the past couple years is that most of the shows that i have been to or student choreography showings is that the women seem to be making the best work.
A great example to support what i am talking about is looking back in dance history which i had to study as a student at the
North Carolina School of the Arts is all of the female pioneers of modern dance.
Martha Graham a trail blazer of American modern dance right along side
Merce Cunnningham and
Paul Taylor. Her technique is still being taught in schools all across the globe and her impact is still felt to this day not too mention her company is still performing her reps. There would be no
Batsheva Dance without her. Next
Pina Bausch who started Dance Theater incorporating text, speech, pedestrian gestures and film to her movement. Down the line you have
Twyla Tharp who was one of the first Resident artist at American Ballet Theater under the direction of
Mikhail Baryshnikov whom was the artistic director at the time and the one to appoint her.
Now we have a whole new crop of women who are making splashes in the dance world. My favorite choreographer
Crystal Pite not only is a world renowned choreographer with her own company
Kidd Pivott but she is also artistic associate at the
Netherlands Dance Theater with her rep in some of the best contemporary companies out there.
Camille A. Brown also a NCSA alumni has her second work being performed with
Alvin Aliey this season has also done work for
Hubbard Street,
Philandanco. She now has her own company too with rave reviews. There also a lot of new Females choreographers on the rise like
Emery Lecrone who has staged work with Oregon Ballet Theater, North Carolina Dance Theater and is on fast track to doing a lot more. One of my personal favorite women out there is
Celia Rawlson-Hall whom has the potential to become the next Bausch.
Next year im encouraging one of my dancers Alex Jenkins to start developing her own works because its important that she gets the experience because i see that there is a talent there and its always good to have someone help motivate you.
As a male choreographer i know that i have the talent to do great original works because i have the chops to do it but the bar that im trying to reach has been set by all of these great women. It would be an honor and pleasure to share the stage with any one of them.
heres a video of Crystal Pites work with Cedar Lake.
Ten Duets on a Theme of Rescue from Caleb Custer on Vimeo.
