Be a part of our show!
We are reaching out to our community to be a part of our upcoming performance, Connections, at The Paramount Theater on May 7, 2022! This production will mark our professional company’s return to the stage and will involve all facets of the organization– company, academy, and community engagement programs. We are excited to be working with partners across the country and right here in Central Virginia as we bring our community back together to reflect on the many connections that unite us all.
Phase 1
For the first phase of this special project, we are excited to be partnering with the UVA Democracy Initiative.
Provide answers to the questions on this survey form to help inspire movement for Keith’s newest work, which will premiere at Connections. Your responses will be kept anonymous!
Due Date: January 31
Phase 2
Follow the instructions from the follow-along video below to learn five gestures and a phrase of choreography created by Mr. Keith Lee. Then, upload a recording of you dancing the gestures and choreography (or just the gestures if it feels like too much to learn!) to be shown at Connections. We also ask that you record a short video of you taking a bow, which will be projected alongside the live company dancers when they take their bow onstage!
After learning the gestures and choreography, follow the steps below to record your videos!
Instructions for filming Gesture Video:
1. Position your camera horizontally (landscape).
2. Please position yourself with a blank wall behind you (as best you can!) for the recording.
3. Have just your upper body in the frame.
4. Please film five seconds of yourself sitting still before you begin the five gestures.
5. Do each gesture slowly, pausing for five seconds in between.
Instructions for filming the Choreography Video:
1. Back up from your camera to make your full body visible in the frame. Keep it in landscape orientation.
2. Dance the short phrase of choreography with the follow-along video playing on another device, so that your steps have the same timing.
Instructions for filming your Bow Video:
1. Position your camera vertically (portrait).
2. Please position yourself with a blank wall behind you (as best you can!) for the recording.
3. Have your full body visible in the frame.
4. Smile and take your bow as shown on the follow-along video!
When finished, upload your videos through this submission form! Communications Coordinator Cassidy Burk will work with Light House Studio to create the final project, to be displayed at the Connections performance.
Due Date: April 15
Questions? Email Kathryn Tokar at [email protected]
Connections Choreographer: Keith Lee
Keith Lee is a master teacher and choreographer originating from the Bronx, New York where he trained at the High School of Performing Arts in NYC. In 1969 Mr. Lee joined American Ballet Theatre and was promoted to the rank of soloist the following year. He then pursued his career at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre as their ballet master. He has choreographed works for American Ballet Theatre, the Washington Ballet, the Geneva Ballet, the Oakland Ballet, the Garden State Ballet, Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble, the Lexington Ballet, and the Charlottesville Ballet. Mr. Lee now calls Central Virginia home, and continues to work as a freelance choreographer, teacher, and performing arts coordinator. Mr. Lee is excited to pioneer his new role of Director of Diversity & Inclusion for the Charlottesville Ballet.