Black to silver production package

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FEAR Pain LOVE Trust Disparity Self hate

Black Butch Dissonance Joy

Lesbian HOPE Positive Butch Dance hiv Femininity desire masculine Theatre Hyper SEXUAL Relationships Pride 2013-2014 Season loss Humor Celebration

For Bookings Contact:Shawn Short Founder/Producing Artistic Director Resident [email protected] Tel: (202) 540-8338 www.ddtdc.com

Mailing Address: Dissonance Dance Theatre P.O. Box 2377 Washington, DC 20013

For Mature Audiences 18+

Dear Promising Presenter, Experience the beauty and heartfelt energy of Dissonance Dance Theatre latest production Black To Silver: A Black LGBT Experi-ence! Black to Silver: A Black LGBT (now in its 2nd year), is a multidis-ciplinary arts production that examines and explores interpersonal relationships, identity and love within the African-American LGBT community.

Bringing together a majority African-American LGBT cast, Black to Silver provides Wash-ington, DC’s first ever theatrical platform for African-American LGBT dance artists to express personal themes through choreographic narrative. And now we bring the show to you! The goal of Black to Silver is to showcase unique, untold intimate experiences of Afri-can-American LGBT men through text and contemporary styles of dance.

Dissonance Dance Theatre is an experience. Now in its 7th season, Dissonance challenges what audiences assume about the human experience, cultivates future audiences, and devel-ops progressive contemporary and classically trained artists. Founded in 2007, Dissonance Dance Theatre is dedicated to preserving and creating contemporary dances that maintain the strength and integrity of classical forms while expressing universal themes with broad appeal in Washington, DC and beyond.

Through a variety of performance units and programs, our cutting-edge works highlight pres-ent-day ideas and concepts. In many cases, Dissonance is able to custom-design performanc-es to meet your specifications. Moreover, Dissonance Dance Theatre is available for residen-cies at high schools and institutions of higher learning.

I invite you to learn more about our company and our work. It is my hope that you will in-clude Dissonance Dance Theatre as part of an upcoming performing arts series.

Thank you kindly for your time and consideration. I look forward to hearing from you soon. Yours in Dance, Shawn ShortFounder/Producing Artistic Director

Table of Content Black To Silver Presentation........................... Press/Company Reviews/Testimonials................

Artists...................................................................

Production Team...................................................

Educational Presentation......................................

Technical Rider.....................................................

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Black To Silver: A Black LGBT Experience Presentaton: 75 mins. ( Start to Finish) Black to Silver is an evening length concert built for proscenium stage.

My Intimate Friend [8 mins]Choreography by Shawn Short In an social environment plagued with health, social and mental challenges, many indiviauls prefer home entertainment and self pleasure. My Intimate Friend looks at a LGBT man how he seeks for mental and physically gradification amidst the challenges of building interpersonal relationships. Set to a minimalistic musical score, this theatrical solo work is is for anyone who has been lonely and seeking companionship.

Zero [9 mins]Choreography by Shawn ShortAn initial attraction between two people can be exciting. But in a world where symbols can douse the flames of passion, many folks find true loving companion is attainable. Zero is a male duet ex-amining initial physical attraction between men after the reveling of their HIV status. Emotions are high in this intense dance theatre work.

The First Time [5 mins]Choreography by Shawn Short “As I looked into his eyes..I could see forever.” The First Time is a work that celebrates love between LGBT individuals and the world they wish to build together. Danced by two men or women, The First Time demostrates the universality of love between two individu-als who wish to share their lives together. Performed with a live singer or recorded music by Roberat Flack, The First Time resonates with anyone who’s been in love.

The Truth Is I Love You [5 mins] Choreography by Shawn Short Forever enticed by multiple intitmate partners, many lose sight of their current significant other. The truth Is I Love You presents a couple surrounded by possible new suitors and how their love is strong enough to bind them unconditionaly. Set to Donizetti’s famous Una furtiva lagrima, opera meets contemporary urban relationships.

Lockdown [4 mins]Choreography by Torens Johnson Lockdown is an aggressive work that observes hyper masculinity. Lockdown showcases small group of guys and their physical and nonverbal interaction in an enclosed space. African-Amer-ican youth and men still have challenges that possible surmise with time in the United States Corrections facilities. Lockdown creates ‘situations’ that four individuals would ‘physicalize’ through the use dynamic movement, improvisation, character development and props: two benches.

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Utopia Fallen [6 mins ] Choreography by Shawn Short Utopia Fallen speaks to individuals and the morning after a night of “fun, only to find out that you a condom was not used when it was suppose to be. In a time where “raw” and “safe” have become stan-dard in LGBT intimate conversations, some have chosen to neglect the wishes of “receiving” partners by playing unportected in sexual intercourse. Utopia Fallen is a solo with dynamics of pain, sorrow, loneliness and solitude. Performed to Negro spiritual “Calvary”, this solo examies what may be pre-ceived in the minds of a “receiving” partner once thWe truth of no condom was reveal. Testament [11 mins]Choreography by: Shawn Short

To create light in a place where many darkness, many in the LGBT community turn to religion. Testa-ment is embedded in symbolism and emotion, telling the story of one individual as they attempt to con-nect to their surrondings and they sorrow for the present but wanting the hope of the furture. Testament coins the phrase, “What if god was one of us?” and places this deity into flesh; observing the changes in the world through movemement. An movement abstract based in classcial modern dance, Testament is a vulnerable piece seeking for forgiveness for the world. Breeze [ 7 mins]Choreography by Shawn Short As soft as wind on a summer day, Breeze is inspired by life facets of African-Americans. Depicting a snapshot of Black culture through symbolism and sound, Breeze is saturated with West African, mod-ern and contemporary ballet styles; providing a real kinesthetic diversity creating parallel to the het-erogonous African-American environment. Based on common characters and moments familiar in the Black experience (homeboys/homegirls, the battle, Flirt, “Get it Girls” and the ‘cook out’), Breeze cre-ates ‘pictures’ on stage that reflected the African-American community in a warm and authentic way.

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Dissonance Dance Theatre/Ngoma Center for Dance show Black To Silver was just amazing as always!!! Every single piece, dancers, their expression of emo-tions and feeling really moved me all the time not to mention their superb technique. I love your works sooooo much, Shawn Short!!! If anyone hasn't decided to go to it or not, just go go go!!! - Misako Iwamoto

Powerful, thought-provoking, innovative and a beautiful night of dance, voice and movement! - Todd Clark , The DC Place

The performance everyone will be talking about next week. Congratulations, in advance! - Alan Sharpe, African-American Collective Theater

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1. Dominique Atwood 2. Damon Foster, 3. Taurean Barber, 4. Reginald “Reggie” Starling, 5. Moyston “Randy” Henry, 6. Thomas Moore Jr.

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Dominique Atwood, Apprentice

Dominique is in her second season as an apprentice at Dissonance Dance Theatre. In 2013 she was featured in Shawn Short’s duet On the Road, along with ensemble works: Burn, Amazon, Breeze and Four Divided by Four. She also performed in Ryan Tuerk’s Scars On My Memory. Dominique is from Dayton, Ohio where she trained at Dayton Contemporary Dance Company’s Jeraldyne’s School of Dance under the tutelage of Dawn Carter, Debbie Blunden-Diggs, Crystal Perkins, Alice Craig, Queala Clancy, and Kevin Ward. Dominique continued her dance studies at Howard University, receiving her BA degree in Political Science with a focus in pre-law. She is the co-founder of the first Contemporary Dance Company on Howard University’s campus, I.AM.WE; working with notable artist Marvin Sapp, Shirley Caesar, Marsha Ambrosius, J.Cole, Raheem Davaughn and Terrence Lee Jones in A Mask For All People. Dominique is a devout Christian and gives God all the praise for her successes. Damon Foster, Rehearsal Manager/Company Member

Damon joined the company in January 2013. In his first season, he has performed in 10 works, including Dis-sonance’s world premiere of Asadata Dafora’s solo classic The Ostrich Dance and Shawn Short’s My Intimate Friend. Damon was originally cast Short’s premiere duets, First Time and Zero. Along with Torens Johnson’s all-male ensemble work, Lockdown. Raised in Arlington, TX, Damon studied dance at the University of Arkan-sas-Fayetteville where he majored in journalism with dance as a minor. His dance studies continued at Universi-ty of Texas-Arlington. In Dallas, Foster performed as a principle artist with Mahogany Dance Theatre of Texas, directed by Vann J. Gilbert, and with HappyNia Dance Theatre, directed by Ailey veteran Dereque Whiturs. In addition, Damon was also a two year Friends of Tyme Dancer (’11, ’12) for the Mary Kay Cosmetics Seminar. He continues to share his passion for movement, music, and literacy, teaching in local afterschool programs and studios. He is a member of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. Damon is thankful for the continuous encouragement and support from his family, fellow artists, and friends. Taurean Barber, Company Member

Taurean joined Dissonance Dance Theatre in 2012 as an apprentice, and has been newly promoted to company member. He was featured in Shawn Short’s 2013 duet world premiere of Zero and cast in Ryan Tuerk’s Scars On My Memory and Torens Johnson’s Lockdown. Taurean began his performance career in gymnastics and cheerleading. A native of Jackson, Georgia, he trained at the Robison School of Dance, and later on at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance, Broadway Dance Center, and the Washington Ballet. While in high school, Taurean toured along the East Coast as a featured jazz dancer in a performing arts troupe and later was awarded the opportunity to perform in London, England; his musical theater debut in CATS and has proven to be a talented dancer, singer and actor in shows such as Dreamgirls, Chicago, and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas.

Reginald “Reggie” Starling, Jr., Company Member

Starling joined Dissonance Dance Theatre in 2013. Reginald began his dance training at Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC under the direction of Charles Augins. Reginald attended a variety of institutions on scholarship including The Washington Ballet, Dance Institute of Washington and Joffrey School of Ballet. He is the recipient of the 2008 Cappies award: Best Male dance for his soloist role as the “Eye of the Tornado” featured in The Wiz. In 2009 Reginald performed with the Washington Redskins Cheerleaders for their annu-al Winter Celebration. He has performed works by Christopher Huggins, Andre Fuentes, Julie Bour, Charles Augins, Katherine Smith, Treanna Alexander, Nicki- Mac Sutton, Ralph Glenmore, Eric Bean Jr, Stephanie Jojokian and Douglas Becker. He has performed with Eleone Dance Theater and DanceSpora located in Phila-delphia. In 2013 Reginald performed at The Kennedy Center for IABD as a soloist performing a work by Iquail Johnson. In 2013 Reginald received his Bacherlors of Fine Arts with a focus in Ballet Performance from the University of the Arts.

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Moyston “Randy” Henry, Apprentice

Moyston Henry is the Washington, DC area. Henry began his dance training at Happy Feet Dance Studio in Rockville, Maryland. He has studied dance with Pat Thomas, Kim Bears-Bailey, Assane Konte, Tarwah Mer-chant, Torens Johnson, Sandra Atkinson, Miya Hisaka, Ryan Tuerk, Maurice Johnson and Shawn Short. In addition, Randy has performed with The Finest Youth performance troupe. Henry has performed nationally and internationally sharing his love of dance and theatre. In 2011, Randy accepted his current apprenticeship with Dissonance Dance Theatre, a contemporary ballet company, in Washington, DC. Henry has landed original cast roles in Ryan Tuerk’s Scars On My Memory, and Shawn Short’s Burn, Four Divided by Four, Reflect, First Time, Zero, Breeze, and Turbulence; soloist in Torens Johnson’s male ensemble work Lockdown. Moyston holds an AA degree from Montgomery Community College and wishes to finish his degree in communication. Thomas Moore, Jr., Trainee

Thomas Moore Jr. joined Dissonance Dance Theatre as a trainee in 2013. A senior at Towson University, Thom-as began his dance training at 19 under the instruction of Catherine Horta- Hayden, Linda-Denise Fisher-Har-rell, Vincent Thomas, Runqiao Du and Nicole Martinell. He has trained at the American Dance Festival 2011 and worked with Jeffrey Bullock, Michelle Gibson and Helen Pickett of William Forsythe Ballet and Boston Ballet. He received a scholarship to train again for summer 2013. An aspiring choreographer, Thomas’s collab-orative works Praedum Lux and Unforgettable Seeds were adjudicated at the American College Dance Festival. Thomas has danced with Baltimore-based companies VTDance Company and Campbell Dance Experience and has performed with the Towson University Dance Company for two consecutive seasons. Graduating Fall 2013, Thomas will have a BFA in Dance Performance and BA in Mass Communications/ Journalism.

Production Team Chris Holland, Lighting Designer/Technical Director Originally from Pittsburgh, PA, moved to DC two years ago, and is very excited to be working with Dissonance Dance Theatre. He currently is the lighting designer for Matter of Reaction Movement Project in Chicago, IL, and has worked locally with Taffety Punk Theatre, Journeymen Theatre Ensemble, and Life Rhythm Move Project. Chris has also worked with the Houston Ballet, Paragon Music Theatre, Purdue Repertory Dance Company, Artists Collabo-rative Theatre, Bluegrass Youth Ballet, School for the Creative and Performing Arts, and toured with the Kentucky Ballet Theatre. Chris has earned his Bachelor’s degree in Theatre Design & Technology from the University of Kentucky and his MFA from Purdue University. Page 7

Shawn Short, Founder/Director/Resident Choreographer/Ballet Master

Shawn has studied with nationally and internationally acclaimed artists including faculty and dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, Lines Ballet, Washington Ballet, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Dance Institute of Washington, Dance Alloy, Philadanco, Towson University, Baltimore and Duke Ellington School of Performing Arts. As a student of ballet ped-agogy, Shawn studied with John White, Margarita De Saa and the Washington School of Ballet Director Kee Juan Han.

Shawn holds a BFA in Musical Theatre with a minor in Theatre Management from Howard University and a MFA in Dance at University Of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Presently, he is Professor of Ballet at Catholic University of America. Shawn his a former fiscally sponsored artist through the New York Foundation for the Arts. In addition. he is a Pointe Magazine’s Video of the Month Editors’ Choice award recipient for his contemporary ballet work “Caught” in 2013.

Shawn has choreographed for The Dance Institute of Washington and The Washington Ballet School of Ballet at THEARC. His has presented his works at the Capital Fringe Festival, Greater Washington Urban League National Conference, Southeastern University, Artists’ Bloc 12X6 Series, Harke Theatre, Jack Guidone Theatre Space, Lang Theatre, Atlas Theatre Complex Lab II Theatre, THEARC Theatre, Joe’s Movement Emporium, DC Parks and Recreation, Sidney Harman Hall, Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, PBS Broadcasting, VelocityDC, and Brooklyn Arts Exchange. Shawn was the Resident Choreographer for the Kelsey Collie Chil-dren’s Theatre for six years.

In education, Shawn has developed and implemented dance curiculum and programs for: Catholic University of America’s Musical Theatre program, Adventure Theatre-MTS, Imagination Stage Dance Division, Kelsey Collie Children’s Theatre Experience, PG County Schools, Dance Institute of Washington, Washington Ballet @THEARC.

His performance credits include work with K2 Dance, Adrian Bolton Dance, El Tearto de Danza Contemporea-nea El Salvador, and Bolton/Smith. He has also served as a guest artist with Dance Alloy in Pennsylvania.

He has been commissioned by Catholic University of America’s Benjamin T. Rome School of Music to choreo-graph “Mother’s Blood”(2008), VF Dance Theater for their Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts to choreo-graph “ Genotype Called Love” for their Terrace Theatre production of “Futurology” (2012).

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MASTER CLASSES, DANCE THEATRE, SPECIALTIY WORKSHOPS

Dissonance Dance Theatre’s educational classes, workshops and lecture-demonstrations are designed mostly for participants ages 9 years - 40 years old

We provide:

1) A quality artistic experience to share with their friends and/or their children.2) A high-quality performance experience that educates audiences about the art form in an engaging and enjoy-able way.

Educational Packages Include:

Master ClassMaster classes run 90 minutes and can be tailored to any level of classically trained contemporary dancer – from beginner to professional. Master classes are led by Artistic Director Shawn Short or a company member. To ensure a professional level of instruction, the maximum number of participating students per master class is 25. Level: Varies/Maximum 25 participants

Dance TheatreDissonance believes in the marriage between theatre and dance. In today’s entertainment industry, artists who possess an understanding of their Internal Monologue can become theatrical catalysts in any production, and are in high demand. Choreographer and Artistic Director Shawn Short will lead dancers through a 90-minute class that combines acting techniques and contemporary choreography. Level: Intermediate/ Maximum 20 partici-pants

Specialty Workshops (Please Inquire)Specialty workshops are conducted through our Nuts & Bolts Series. Without the intricate details delivered by nuts & bolts, no building could maintain its structure. Dissonance presents dance essential workshops designed to improve today’s contemporary dance artist—from the novice to the professional. Our class offerings include, but are not limited to: Dance Conditioning Basic 101, Turns and Leaps, Men DANCE! Level: Varies/ Maximum 20 participants

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TECHNICAL RIDER OVERVIEW

FOR ENSEMBLE PRESENTATIONS SUBJECT TO CHANGE (as of May 1, 2013) The following are space, technical and other production requirements for an engagement with Dissonance Dance Theatre (Dissonance). If production requirements are incompatible with the physical limitations of your venue, workable solutions may be possible by communicating well in advance of the performance.

Full details are provided in a separate Tech Rider available upon request.

The theatre(s) and other spaces provided by the Presenter for all performance and other activities during the engagement must conform to commonly accepted industry standards of safe and sanitary conditions. Personnel needed for the engagement will be determined by the nature of the theatre or other facility, Dissonance’s sched-ule, repertory for engagement, and commitments made by the Presenter.

Company AvailabilityDissonance is available for performances during our production calendar, mid-August through May of the fol-lowing year.

Rehearsal Time RequirementsThe company needs a four-hour spacing rehearsal on stage in the performance space. In addition, the company needs a two-hour pre-performance warm-up on stage before each performance. For the rehearsals, the dance floor must be ready in the condition described below( “Stage Requirements) . Additional rehearsal and light-ing time is necessary for performances in proscenium theatres. For details, refer to the separate tech rider and lighting plot available upon request.

Facility AvailabilityThe theatre and stage (including rehearsal studio, off stage areas and dressing rooms) must be clear of other equipment, and made available for the sole use of Dissonance from four (4) hours prior the scheduled in-theatre service until two (2) hours after the service. All necessary house and/or rental equipment shall be installed and in working order before the start of load-in. “Pre-hang” prior to company arrival is ideal.

Stage RequirementsA proscenium stage is preferred, and stage surfaces meet one of the following options:• a sprung dance floor with marley covering that is smooth and free from buckles or ridges, and be a min-imum of twenty-five (25) feet wide by twenty-five (25) feet deep (dimensions apply to both performances and classes)• a smooth, finished and unbroken wood surface, free of cracks, breaks, slivers, nails, and screws or oth-er impediments that may disrupt safe work of dancers

Under no circumstances will Dissonance perform on a floor laid directly over concrete, stone or tile.

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Temperature and Climate ControlAir conditioned or heated areas must be kept at a constant temperature of 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Due to the increased risk of injury, dancers may not perform in spaces cooler than 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

Dressing Rooms and RestroomsDissonance requires at least two (2) dressing rooms for our exclusive use. These rooms must accommodate at least 12 dancers. They must be clean, well-heated/cooled (pending the climate) and ventilated, well lighted, equipped with mirrors, dressing tables, chairs and clothing racks.

Restroom facilities must be easily accessible, clean, and sanitary with hot and cold running water, sinks, toilets, and separate shower facilities for men and women.

Technical Rehearsal Scheduled technical rehearsal timeframe(s) is/are required prior to performances. Depending on the space, the length of time will vary. Full details are provided in a separate Tech Rider available upon request.

SoundDissonance performs to recorded music. Audio systems must be able to play CDs and I-Pods and operate under separate controls. Speakers projecting into front-of-house and monitors projecting onto the stage must have clear and audible sound. If the size of the venue requires greater amplification, suitable sound equipment along with technical support must be provided by the Presenter.

Lighting The lighting equipment along with a technician must be provided by the Presenter. When performing in a hall or studio, the company uses white wash light. When performing in a proscenium or black box theatre, the company requires two (2) top washes, two (2) front washes, two (2) high side washes from each side, four (4) dance booms on each side of the stage, and six (6) focusable specials. Real plots are provided by technicians after the final tech rehearsal. Light board and operator space must be located where the operator will have an unobstruct-ed view of the stage.

Staff Presenter is responsible for providing the following staff:• One (1W) or two (2) front-of-house staff • Two (2) or three (3) ticketing agents • Four (4) adequate, able-bodied, and sober stagehands for load in, focus, tech, and load out

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Ngoma Center for Dance is a 501(c)3 and parent organization to Dissonance Dance Theatre

Photo Credit: Shawn Short