Current Repertory to be featured in 2003-2004:
Balancing Act
Created in response to September 11th. Explores how we keep our balance in today's changing world. This piece is designed to be performed with local community members joining the dancers following a workshop. Local community members may also participate in accompanying the piece.
Choreographed by JoAnne Tucker in collaboration with the dancers.
Music concept created by Newman Taylor Baker.
The Forgiveness Project
Designed for residencies, this project looks at Forgiveness from a broad
palette -- of self; in relations between people: between communities; and
between self and the Divine. Includes workshops and performances. Ideal
for outreach work between communities or for bringing diverse groups
within a community together. Made possible by a grant from The Nathan Cummings Foundation.
Choreographed by JoAnne Tucker in collaboration with the dancers
Music Composed and Performed by Newman Taylor Baker
Heroic Deeds
Inspired by stories of Righteous Gentiles during the Holocaust and
strongly influenced by September 11th. Workshops available to honor and
reinforce that place within each of us that enables us to help others.
Choreographed by JoAnne Tucker, in collaboration with the dancers
Music by Charles Ives
Identity Crisis
A lively jazzy piece about finding one's own voice. Choreographed by JoAnne Tucker in collaboration with the dancers. Music by Drums and Tuba.
Newman's Blanket
(Work in progress.) A Multicultural project incorporating dance, percussion and story telling inspired by long time collaborator Newman Taylor Baker's collection of instruments from around the world. The piece stresses are interconnectedness. It is being designed so community members can join the dance company performing in certain sections and also assisting in the percussion accompaniment.
REPERTORY IN PAST YEARS INCLUDED:
(Some of these pieces are available to be set on other dance companies
or groups. Email us for more details if interested)
Bless
Concept and Script developed by JoAnne Tucker and Amichai Lau Lavie
Choreographed by JoAnne Tucker
Gimmel
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Base on Lawrence Kushner's Book of Hebrew Letters. Playful piece with rolling and tumbling.
Hallelu
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Joyful piece based on Psalm 150
Hannah
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Solo based on Biblical character Hannah.
I Never Saw Another Butterfly
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Based on poems written by children and young adults in the concentration camp Terezin.
Dancers recite the poems as they move.
In the Garden
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Based on Sephardic poems in Rabbi Raymond Scheindlin's book, Wine, Women and Death. Dancers integrate poetry into the piece.
In the Month of Kislev
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
45 minute retelling in dance of Nina Jaffe's book In the Month of Kislev, a Hannukah story. Dancers tell story in words and movements. Ideal children/family entertainment.
Kaddish
Choreography: JoAnne Tucer
Solo followed by group section emphasizing community. Dance is energetic reaffirming life.
Let My People Go
Choreography: Louis Johnson and JoAnne Tucker
35 minute dance-theater piece, based on poet James Weldon Johnson's retelling of the Exodus story. Hebrew Chanting is juxtaposed with spiritual "Go Down Moses." Participatory workshops and teaching units have been developed around this piece exploring themes of oppression, leadership, journeys to freedom and celebration of
freedom from a Multicultural point of view. Particular focus is on common concerns of
the African American and Jewish communities.
The Lord's Prayer
Choreography: Linda Kent
A lyrical and dynamic setting with the emphasis on community.
Love Songs and Lullabies
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Sephardic songs expressing longing, despair and comfort are the basis of this piece.
Make A Change
Choreographed by JoAnne Tucker and Louis Johnson
Music by Newman Taylor Baker and Jeannine Otis
May the Words
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Short, expressive piece set to the word of the Jewish prayer.
M'Chamocha
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Avodah's lyrical piece is based on the Biblical mention of Miriam and the women celebrating after the parting of the Red Sea.
Mother of the Bride
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Quick, comical piece about dressing a bride before a wedding.
M'Vakshei Or
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Unique piece, in that one section is performed as an improvisation based on the week's
Torah portion. The other sections are based on ritual movements which are part of Jewish liturgy.
Negro Spirituals
Choreography: Helen Tamiris
This classic modern piece created between 1928 - 1942 has been reconstructed from the Labanotation by Elizabeth McPherson. Includes solos and a trio.
Neviot
Choreography: Yoav Kaddar
The Hebrew word "neviot" means source of water or spring of water. A piece about hope and renewal.
Noshing
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Comic piece about women gossipping, eating and dancing at a social gathering.
Of Jerusalem
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Based on poems of Israeli poet Yehudah Amichai.
Path to the Appointed Place
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Inspired by practice of bringing "first fruits" as religious offering. Festive and joyful.
Secure Shelter
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Celebration of friendship/community; both gentle and lively.
Selichot Suite
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Four-section piece usually performed in actual Selichot service which marks beginning
of Jewish High Holiday. Selichot's emphasis is on returning and asking forgiveness.
Sephardic Suite
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Three section piece focuses on significant moments of Jewish people in Spain.
Shema
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Stark piece based on writing of Italian Holocaust survivor Primo Levi. Intense and
dramatic.
Sisters
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Explores the relationship between the Biblical characters of Rachel and Leah.
Strong sense of community of women.
Tent, Tallit and Torah
Choreographed by JoAnnne Tucker in collaboration with the dancers
Music: Selections from Bach's Unaccompanied Cello Suites
Wedding
Choreography: JoAnne Tucker
Pleasant piece about bride, froom, wedding.