Chronos Project
Photo by: Bennyroyce Royon, Dancer: Erik Wagner
Hello Wingers,
Just wanted to share with you something I have been working on for the past month. I am producing a show called “Chronos Project” which is a shared evening of choreographic works between me, Nilas Martins, Monique Meunier, and Brian Gibbs. There are THREE evening performances (7:30pm) in April (22, 23, 24) at the intimate Speyer Hall at University Settlement on the Lower East Side (184 Eldridge Street).
The project will serve the creative needs of the Lower East Side community (Manhattan) by providing a high caliber contemporary dance performances, offer a job & performance opportunity to a group of talented and wonderful freelance dance artists, and support the creative needs of four emerging choreographers to cultivate their artistic voices.
I will post more information as time comes along. But please do keep in touch on Twitter, Facebook, my YouTube page! You can search me on all of these networks by typing “Bennyroyce Royon.” Also, please go to my website: www.bennyroyce.com.
Watch this one minute teaser video: Chronos Project Teaser Video
Enjoy!
San Francisco Ballet is jumping into the world of new media
I’m very excited to share a new section of San Francisco Ballet’s website that is dedicated strictly to new media!
http://www.sfballet.org/interact/index.asp
I believe that new media is a wonderful way for the ballet world to connect and I’m very happy to be part of a company that is exploring everything new media has to offer. Within this new section you can find videos, pictures, blogs, podcasts, and more. I would definitely suggest you check it out!
Update
Hey.
Being ADHD and all everyone knows that I keep myself busy. With that said this weekend is the culmination of a lot of work.
For starters I have a silent involvement in a sketch comedy troupe called the S.H.I.T show that runs Friday and Saturday the rest of the month (started the 1st). Working with actors has been one of the best working experiences I have ever had. Not too mention I was laughing the entire time. When I did come up for air I would tell them “guys, im just a vessel” and we’d move on. Shout out to Ray and Evan for becoming the movement and surviving our “meeting” at the Pirate Ship?
Another project that is going down this weekend is very special to me. I have had the privilege to get invited to set a piece for the Lorraine Hansbury foundation annual fundraising gala this year at the Ritz Carlton. For anyone who does not know Lorraine Hansbury is a very famous Afro-American playwright whom wrote A Raisin in The Sun, which my commission is based off of. The multi-talented Director of the Lorraine Hansbury Theatre Stanley Williams and I have had many discussions about my involvement with the theatre and how im supposed to help usher in a new audience because my work is “edgy” or “progressive”. Not too big on those description of my work because that puts me out of the status quo. However I am very relieved to see an organization willing to take a chance and shake things up and do something new. I was telling Stanley that for this piece I want to have the monologue from A Raisin in The Sun be read by an actor much like spoken word. Within the context of the monologue that I have been working off of with my dancer and getting back ground insight into the minds of the characters from Stanley I noticed that having just text alone would not be enough to suffice this project. Needed to do something more so I told Stanley that I envision base, percussions and cello sneaking in and out of the background. Comparable to Mingus or cars been stuck in traffic jam blarring their horns. Only after I had completed the choreographic end with my dancer Michael Montgomery did I get in contact with Mr. David Molina a freelance music producer whom just got back from a project at Yale. Molina, Stanley and I spoke about what I had in mind for the dance so that musically speaking I will be able to set up the right tone and atmosphere for the piece to exist. We planned to meet later the following week in his studio to knock out the recording process. Originally a female actress read the monologue but it did not match what I was going for. I had Stanley read the whole entire rehearsal process and settled my movement in his deep baritone voice. Made sense to use him for the recording too. At the studio I had Stanley read a few times with some voice inflections with certain words to give it a lil more punch. I even got to do some beat boxing (my strange breath heavy attempts) and screaming falsetto that will sneak in and out the music. I’m glad that I have the trust from the director for full artistic range because I had him doing some funny lil things:) Today I looked online and the Gala is completely sold out. I will have the honor of having the opportunity to show the old mayor of SF Willie Brown and the current mayor Gavin Newsome my work and that’s pretty dope. The same night I have the same solo being performed in a different venue with other dancers/choreographers from the SF bay area. The only difference is that im having female dance the part that was originally choreographed for a man. Everyone who could not make it to the gala will have the chance to see the same piece danced and I suggest that you all go because im very proud of the work.
The end of the month I will be dancing in my 1st 20minute joint titled “MicroMachines and Dinosaurs” more on that later along with some other surprises that will be traveling me and dancer Alex Jenkins to the east coast. All I will say about that is……. that it’s a bit “NUTTY”.
micheal rehearsing with the Director Stanley Williams in the background
me in the studio. Sometimes you have to just feel it.
keep on keepin on.
Wait…..I dont have a date for the gala yet!!!!!
B
heres a link to my blog that i update with all the show info on the sidebars. http://tagsf-noexpct.blogspot.com/
Nutmeg Conservatory at Jacob’s Pillow
The current students and a few alumni of The Nutmeg Conservatory performed on the ever-inspiring Inside/Out stage at Jacobs Pillow Wednesday evening in celebration of Nutmeg’s 40th Anniversary. As a 1998 graduate of Nutmeg, I was honored to be asked to take part in the performance.
Lynn and I have been teaching modern dance at Nutmeg this summer, and we have had SUCH a pleasure teaching these students. They have opened up and grown so much in a matter of weeks.
As a Nutmeg graduate, the pride and respect I have for the institution that trained me is, in a word, immeasurable. The faculty, directors, and staff at Nutmeg cultivated, in me, a crazy modern dancer in the midst of a regimented Vaganova syllabus, and fierce focus on pedagogy. Somehow, they allowed me the freedom to explore while maintaining every inch of the discipline and attention to detail that was demanded of us as students.
Today a new crop of Nutmeg dancers is blossoming, and I believe the institution itself is blossoming as well. In the ways that the world we now live in needs it to. It is an instutution that has earned respect through detailed and careful teaching, communicative and educated staff, and the generous and honest spirit of cultivating the love of the art of dance performance in its students, parents, audiences and general public.
Perhaps it is this honest, earnest, spirit of the joy and legacy of dance, and the desire to share it so richly, that made the connection between Jacobs Pillow and Nutmeg feel so genuine.
Whatever it was, it was felt all around. The staff at Jacob’s Pillow (Ella Baff, Executive Director, and Ginger Menard, Program Manager and the rest of the wonderful staff) warmly welcomed us all.
As anyone who has ever been there can attest to, the magic and inspiration of the Pillow, and the distinct place it holds in the history of dance, hits you immediately. The Ted Shawn Theater, The Ruth St. Denis Studio.. These are more than room names, these are the pioneers of my craft, and to be in that space, in those hills among that legacy, is a feeling I cannot describe. I wondered on the way there if these students from Nutmeg that we had taught all summer would know, would REALIZE, the opportunity that they were being given. To dance at JACOB’S PILLOW in the wide open, with the breeze on their back just feeling the history of all that is around them.
I know they felt it. Something was alive and real inside of them tonight. That light behind their eyes was there. Whether or not they fully understand it now is insigficant.. What matters is that their bodies experienced it and their hearts felt joy.
They danced.
They danced with sun in their eyes and leaves on the stage. With all the beautiful mysteries of an imperfect stage and unpredictable forces of nature. And they were beautiful. More beautiful than I have ever seen them.
Along with the students that performed, I also shared the stage with my fellow Nutmeg Graduates Emily Patterson (Joffrey) and Andrea Spiridonakos (Miami City Ballet). Both have recently left their long tenure with the aforementioned companies, but are sure to find success in their next ventures.
Emily performed a duet alongside dance partner and husband, Thomas Nicholas (Joffrey), a duet choregraphed by current Joffrey dancer, Michael Smith.
They looked phenomenol and Andrea was characteristically exquisite in her variation.
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Lynn and I had a blast dancing our duet “Interlude” in the open air, and felt joy coming at us and beaming from us all evening long.
The staff of Nutmeg is doing a superb job of continuing the traditions that I believe have helped shape the very unique training program it has become. It’s founding Artistic Director, Sharon Dante, carved her dream of a world class school with her bare hands. She has worked her entire life, tooth and nail, to build Nutmeg into what it has become and is no doubt no becoming. The work she has done cannot be measured. To see her stand in the back and just soak in the performance brought me unspeakable joy. Eleanor D’Antuono (Ballet Russe, Joffrey, ABT) returns to Nutmeg year after year because she sees the promise and the “shiny new pennies” that Nutmeg is developing.
Me and Eleanor
Victoria Mazzaerlli (Basel, Frankfurt and Zurich Ballet) graduated Nutmeg, danced professionally in some of the most revered companies in the world and is now back at Nutmeg sharing her talent and impeccable wisdom and grace with these students. Joan Kunsch who continues to demand the focus and attention to detail necessary while respected the individual artists being developed within each of the students. Susan Szabo who guided the kids at that school from the moment they walk through the door with a gentle, clear push and an exuberant attitude. Tim Melady (Miami City Ballet, Ballet Du Nord, Momix) is bringing new and fresh inspiration to the whole program. Ron Alexander, who is now the Principal of Nutmeg, brings his experience from so many professional dance angles (National Ballet of Canada, Frankfurt Ballet, Hamburg Ballet, etc etc) and very seamlessly weaves it into his sharp administrator skills to create a school that is active, engaged and growing.
It was a beautiful day at the Pillow.
Thank You Jacob’s Pillow, and
Thank you Nutmeg.
A Glimpse of My Year
I can hardly believe it… it’s been a whole year, and then some! As you can see, in my previous posts, it’s been so hard to keep you tuned in with all the changes in my life. I don’t think I will ever be able to catch you all up with everything that has happened in the past year, but hopefully giving you a glimpse will suffice.
The first tour for les Ballets de Monte-Carlo was to Ljubliana, Slovenia with Jean-Christophe’s, La Belle (Sleeping Beauty). When I think back on the tour, I felt like I was going to the first day of school after summer vacation. EVERY situation was new. New people, new places, new ballets, new teachers, new system, and a new way of working – everything was new, new, new!!! The change was scary and exhilarating all at once! The only comfort was knowing that others were going through the same thing with me. With every tour and new experience after the first, came the realization that change was inevitable, and it WAS the thing that sparked my move to BMC in the first place. I, of course, made comparisons from my past life to my new one, but eventually came to the understanding that in a change, nothing is better or worse – it’s just different. And that thought alone has opened up my life!
I guess if I were to talk about an initial hardship, it would be the language barrier. Simple everyday tasks like going to the grocery store or bank turned into a guessing game. I found myself (and still find myself at times) freezing up, and then asking, Parlez-vous anglais? Thankfully, a lot of people in the south of France and Monaco are english speaking, but in the long run it will not help me learn the language faster. I guess in the course of a year I can say that I understand French pretty well, but I don’t speak it - and this will take years!
In terms of company life, things are amazing! Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo is remarkable. The work, the creativity, the people, the places… the list is endless. Jean-Christophe is a definitive artist. I could say a whole lot more, but feel I don’t need to. I just know BMC is a good fit for me!
On a whole different note - Those of you who are close to me know that I am an avid believer in “The Secret”, and for the last two or so years I have been using its principles to shape my life. Now, I am not here to preach it, but I will say that I believe in it whole-heartedly. The power of positive thinking and knowing how the laws of attraction work have forced me to look at my life (and future) with a fine-toothed comb. And in return, have made this past season, and also my future endeavors, quite clear. I guess my point in even bringing this all up, is that it has made my transition into this les Ballets de Monte-Carlo pretty seamless. If you haven’t heard of it, I highly recommend the book or DVD.
I don’t want to make this post too lengthy so I will try to show you through some pictures what I’ve done & seen. The world is definitely your oyster, and life is what you make it. If you crave change or are contemplating something, just do it. The outcome in learning is golden.
This is a picture from the our first tour. It is the set for JC’s La Songe (A Midsummer Night’s Dream). There is a very modern approach to all of the sets of his ballets. I love it. I feel it brings more attention the the dancers and their intentions.
This is a picture from the theater in Bologna, Italy. The picture doesn’t capture the beauty of this enchanting space. This is where we performed JC’s Romeo et Juliette. It was also my first time dancing on a raked stage!!! My turns were never so bad, but by day three I started to get the hang of it.
We traveled to two small cities on the north of France, and along the way (on a free day), a small group of us stopped in Paris for a day. This is my impression of Mary Tyler Moore in front of the Louvre. Oh, yeah, and the Louvre is not pink, haha.. it was a setting that the camera was on!
Earlier this year, I posted pictures of La Belle in Japan. Here is a fun picture from that tour! It was of one of the best tours this season - sometimes I don’t think I will ever grow up!
Me & Nathalie Nordquist before our debut in JC’s Altro Canto. This is one of my favorites of Maillot’s! This was in Valencia, Spain
On our last, and potentially best tour, we had one free day to explore. The dancers took it as an opportunity to go to the Dead Sea & Jerusalem. We packed on black mud from the earth all over our bodies (like a mask), then rinsed it off, and went to literally float in the salty water of Dead Sea. It was UNREAL. I wish that I could post more pictures from this tour - Performing La Songe, and experiencing Israel… la vie est belle!
And now, this is what we are currently doing. JC’s new creation, Men’s Dance for Women. It’s been wonderful to work on a “creation” with Jean-Christophe. The dancers are still fine tuning the choreography in this piece, and we always will be. Jean-Christophe has an intention for every step in this ballet which does two things - one, makes it easier to have an objective so we know why steps are executed in a certain way. And, two makes it a challenge to focus on that objective. It’s great fun!!
Hope you enjoyed my glimpse! Next for me is a small vacation & then a guesting with Ballet Hawaii!!! Very excited! Stay tuned…
The Dance Community Needs Your Help
Help save this beautiful company before it is too late!
As we all know money and businesses from every sector have been experiencing difficult times recently. Unfortunately the ballet world is no exception to this fact. I want to bring to your attention an issue that is very important to me personally; Oregon Ballet Theatre needs your help. If we all don’t pull together and help this company it will have to close it’s doors. Not only do I have close friends in this company, but it is also a company that the ballet world cannot afford to loose. I urge you to take action on this issue. If you can donate any amount please do! ( Click here for information on how to donate to OBT)
As you see from the poster above they will also be holding a benefit performance.
Here are a few links with more information on the company as well as the current issue:
http://www.obt.org/news_links/features/5-27-09_Oregonian_onthebrink.html
This week end……….Live sneak peak
hello everyone.
Live Sunday, Sunday, Sunday!
Remember when i posted the list of 27 words directly from my journal and had all of you vote on the top 3? I said that the top 3 words chosen by you will be part of the inspiration in my work process. Well the time is quickly coming upon us.
Im proud to announce that I will be giving you all a live feed of MPH the new project that we are currently working on. We will be presenting only one section of brand new material as a little summer fun for everyone.
The live feed will start at 6pm pacific time/8pm central/9pm eastern…………Tune into this channel to watch TAGsf new production of MPH. Doing a live webcast is a new venture/experiment for us so if the lights go out or your machine blows up or something well try and troubleshoot those problems later.
here is a link to the page where the showing will be posted and of course ill post it on The Winger too.
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/TAGsf
hope to see ya there.
B
Dont let the T.E.Ts get you down
Hello everyone,
Right now the entire world is going through some Tough Economic Times (T.E.Ts). Businesses are making cutbacks and layoffs. Everywhere you look everyone is having to take a loss and unfortunately for us we all know that the arts are the first to go when it comes to budget cuts. I personally have numerous friends whom are affected by the Tough Economic Times but i refuse to let the times weigh me down even though ive been affected too.
This month TAG is part of an Aides benefit fundraiser event called Life Cycle. We are volunteering our time and services for a cause that we believe in alongside some other great artists. The only downside is that come to find out the space where the performance is being held wont allow us in until a week before the show. Dont get me wrong, i have been working in various studios with the dancers but now i cant afford to rent more space til we come into the venue this Sunday. Ordinarily that would not be a problem but having to make a new piece requires time especially with the usage of multi-media and lazer lights, stoked on that! Most all expenses have come out of pocket but the whole space thing has turned problematic due to all studio rentals being booked this whole week. Instead of complaining i said to myself “well dang! No, is not an answer. Studio G it is!”
Here is a clip of me working on a floor section in the studio with Kendall Teague back in the good ol days when we had more space to work. Included at the end of the work is another clip of the last day of me skateboarding until i finish making MPH.
Disclaimer: Pdiddy on Twitter is a constant source of amusement for us so at the end we kind of dork out….Happens:P
The second clip is in Studio G. Im working with Alex Jenkins who is still a student at the Lines Ballet BFA program. She has been selected to dance in the piece alongside some other working professionals. Im very pleased with her dancing and willingness to get down. Good Job Alex:)
Instead of trying to get all deep on all of you a quote comes to mind that really hits home on these T.E.Ts.
“When life gives you lemons, make Lemonade.”
B
Hamburg Ballet 2009/2010
Hamburg Ballet is approaching it’s last two and a half months before the 08/09 season is over. This year has been filled with so many wonderful experiences and I can’t believe how quickly it all passed by.
John has a beautiful way of tying his season together and the theme for next season will be “Floating World”. The paragraph below was taken from the Hamburg Ballet Website and gives a little more detail on this theme.
It is with great delight that I welcome you to the various exciting highlights of our next season 2009/2010. The theme of the season is “Floating World” - symbolizing the bridging of cultures and emotions. This motto is also the title of the second premiere. Here “Floating World” is reminiscent of Japanese art. This evening presents three choreographies inspired by the traditions of No and Kabuki theatre. The first premiere “Orpheus” approaches the inner fight between work and intention of this famous figure of antique mythology. Our revivals are similarly moving: “Streetcar named Desire” describes a story of violence, insensibility and vulgar behaviour whereas “Illusions – like Swan Lake” oscillates between reality and illusion.
Season 2009/2010 Here you can find a complete list of what next season holds for this beautiful company.
LOLAstretch at Harvard
We made some unitards for a contemporary ballet piece that Claudia Schreier choreographed at Harvard. Here are the lovely pics she sent me. I post them here because it inspires me to see how dance exists in the Ivy League.
Photos by Lauren Kaye. Dancers pictured: Amanda Lynch, Elizabeth Walker, Puanani Brown, Kevin Shee, and James Fuller.
