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Mediterranean Voices" & La MaMa Press Release
Download the press release:
For Immediate Release
La MaMa ETC presents:
Mare Nostrum Elements in
"Mediterranea Voices"
an evening-long emotional journey
Conceived by: Nicola Iervasi
Directed by: Kevin Albert
Developed and Performed by: Jamie Allen, Barbara Allemand, Ian Betts, Lorraine Calculli, Irene "Tiger" Clark, Natasha Corbie, Giada & Matteo Ferrone, Alan Forbes, Eva Hansson, Nicola Iervasi, Denise LaPointe, Mayia Mina, Cheryl Orsini, Joe Osheroff, Sam Osheroff, Cherie Samuel, Lois Silk, Camille Suggs, Francesca Todesco, Marie Tollon, Angela Wiele, Chris Wisner and Irene Ziglina
Guest Choreographers:
Max Luna III, Alessandra Belloni and Anabella Lenzu
Friday, March 31st 2006 @ 10 PM
Saturday, April 1st 2006 @ 10 PM
Sunday, April 2nd 2006 @ 5:30 pm
La MaMa ETC @ The Club
74A East 4th Street (between Bowery and Second Ave) NYC
Directions: V to 2nd Ave, 6 to Bleeker Street, R,W to 8th street
Tickets: $15 - Box office 212 475 7710 - online www.lamama.org
Light Design by Stephen Petrilli
Costume/Scenery/Graphic supervision by: Daniela Diina
Original Score by: Dimitris Issaris, additional music by Alessandra Belloni/John La Barbera, Terrae, Eugenio Bennato, Mikis Theodorakis
· For the past 44 years, under the guidance of founder and artistic director Ellen Stewart, La MaMa Experimental Theater Club has been the melting pot for creative risk taking, experimental exploration and challenges to artistic boundaries in the field of performance and art.
Being Mare Nostrum Elements' mission to bridge the gap between artistic languages and cultural diversities, it is a great honor for MNE to be presented by such an internationally renowned institution.
- Project Description -
Mediterranean Voices is a 70 minutes cross-disciplinary performance in which over 20 eclectic performers from 10 different countries join forces to perform a cultural mosaic that embraces dance, acting, music and text through the use of different languages (Italian, Greek, Spanish and English), traditional songs, folk dances, text by Giovanni Verga and Pablo Neruda as well as original poetry by Nicola Iervasi.
Mediterranean Voices is a soulful re-creation of the Mediterranean lifestyle. Set in a town's square in a small village by the sea, the audience will enter a timeless legend narrated by the mayor, the photographer, the homeless/seer and all the villagers busy in their daily struggle through life. Throughout the performance the audience will be presented with each character's point of view and role in the village, as the events proceed from the Patron's festival to a funeral procession, from remembrances of the past and desire to escape, passing through passionate love, judgmental prejudices, submission to destiny and the everlasting influence of the sea.
Mediterranean Voices was inspired by the work of Italian Verismo's master Giovanni Verga, particularly by his masterpiece "I Malavoglia" (The House by the Medlar Tree) which was first published exactly 125 years ago. The novel narrates the story of a Sicilian family of fishermen who struggle every day under the destroying influence of the sea, and the villagers surrounding them. Additional inspiration came from the cinematic version of the novel ("La Terra Trema" by Luchino Visconti) and other films based on small-village life styles and ordinary people ("Malena" by Giuseppe Tornatore, "Christ stopped at Eboli" by Francesco Rosi among others).
"Fascinated by the dramatic element of ordinary living, I started researching memories of older people and their stories, legends and religious beliefs characteristic of any small village my native southern Italy. Once in New York, comparing my cultural heritage with colleagues from Spain, Greece, Israel and Turkey, I noticed the same fear of destiny and death, the same hypocrisies, vices and prejudices that influenced my childhood. This production emerges as a cultural bridge between diverse populations and guides the audience through a
unified Mediterranean Soul." (Nicola Iervasi, creator/director/choreographer)
The music encompasses traditional southern Italian songs arranged by singer/percussionist Alessandra Belloni and guitarist John La Barbera; original classical/contemporary score by Greek composer Dimitris Issaris, compositions by Eugenio Bennato, Mikis Theodorakis as well as soulful songs by Terrae and Italian singer Lisa.
A partial production of Mediterranean Voices was presented in 2001 at the Frederick Loewe Theater in collaboration with the Music Department of New York University.
- About the group -
Mare Nostrum Elements is a collaborative group of artists from 10 different countries with diversified training and experiences. Founded in 2001 by American actor Kevin Albert and Italian performer Nicola Iervasi, the group strives to reduce the distance between artistic disciplines. The group is dedicated to producing multicultural events embracing different languages, exploring traditional art forms and ethnic customs as well. This mission is propelled through performances and outreach programs for diverse audiences and communities in the US and abroad. The Elements are ultimately committed to portraying real people and ordinary life through the powerful voice of Movement Theater.
This production of Mediterranean Voices has been workshoped for the past 4 years through workshops/rehearsals at NYU, Peridance Center, NYU, Fiorello La Guardia High School, and PMT studio as well as performances at Peridance Center, Dance Space, City Center, Martin Luther king Jr. Auditorium, the Stable and the American Theater of Actors.
The cast challenges not only artistic boundaries but also age variety by featuring ballet teacher and Peridance Ensemble member Giada Ferrone performing with 2 years old son Matteo for the first time on stage as well as over-60 artist Irene "Tiger" Clark. Other performers include Alan Forbes and Francesca Todesco currently performing with Anna Sokolow Theater Dance, jazz teacher/choreographer Denise LaPointe and MNE's artistic director Nicola Iervasi, former member of the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble and current member of Anna Sokolow Archive Company.
During MNE's specially designed workshops/rehearsals all the Elements have experimented and explored movement, transitions and relationships culminating in choreography and staging under the supervision of artistic directors Kevin Albert and Nicola Iervasi.
For this production of Mediterranean Voices internationally acclaimed choreographer Max Luna has restaged a daydreaming tango set on music by Eugenio Bennato; Italian-Argentinian choreographer Anabella Lenzu has created a striking piece about Southern Italian washer-women with music by Terrae. Italian singer/percussionist Alessandra Belloni has provided Southern Italian traditional music as well as a traditional tarantella restaged by Nicola Iervasi and Lorraine Calculli.
- Biography -
Nicola Iervasi (Artistic director)
Native of Italy moved to NYC in 1998 as a scholarship student at the Martha Graham School from which he graduated in 2000. Nicola performed with the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble, Pearl Lang, Dzul Dance, Maher Benham/Coyote Dancers, Lacy James/Mereminne Dancers and Igal Perry among others. Dance/Theatre experiences include works by Daniela Boensch, Giorgio Rossi, Brenda Baden Semper, Deborah Zall and Max Luna III. Most recently, he joined the Anna Sokolow Archive Company directed by Lorry May and is currently collaborating with Italian singer/percussionist Alessandra Belloni.
Kevin Albert (Co-director)
A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, he began his training in Movement Theater with Erika Batdorf. In Boston he was on the dance faculty of Jeannette Neil Dance Studio and Leon Collins Tap Studio. Kevin studies Acting with Fred Kareman in New York City. Professional credits include European Tours of West Side Story and My Fair Lady starring Richard Chamberlain and the National Tour of West Side Story playing the role of Bernardo with choreography by Jerome Robbins. Recently Kevin directed the one-man show Up, Up and Away in New York City and performed in The Money Shot 2 by Chris Andersson.
Alessandra Belloni (Guest choreographer, music)
Alessandra Belloni is the co-founder and Artistic Director of "I Giullari di Piazza" an Italian music, theatre, and dance ensemble. She is also the designer of a line of signature series Italian tambourines made by Remo. Alessandra was born in Rome, Italy and is committed to preserving the strong and rich traditions of her culture by remaining the only woman in the U.S. and Italy to specialize in Southern Italian percussion combined with ritual dances and singing. Alessandra has performed at numerous music festivals around the world including WOMAD (USA and Italy), Perc Pan Festival (Brazil), Montreal Music Festival (Canada), Cultural Center of Tel Aviv (Israel) and Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts (NYC).
Max Luna III (Guest choreographer)
Mr. Luna has had a performance, teaching and choreography career spanning 30 years with internationally acclaimed dance companies such as Ballet Hispanico, Joyce Trisler Dance Company, Les Ballets Jazz de Montreal and Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. His teaching credits include Howard University, the City University of New York, Ballet Hispanico, as well as numerous workshops in Europe, including Teatro Nuovo in Turin, Freibourg Theater Company in Germany. He is currently on the faculty of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Mr. Luna has choreographed for The University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, Ballet Asia, Howard University and Teatro Nuovo di Torino among others.
Anabella Lenzu (Guest choreographer)
Dancer, choreographer and teacher with over 15 years experience working in Argentina, Chile, Italy, England and the USA. Lenzu completed her classical Ballet dance training at the Instituto Superior de Arte del Teatro Colòn in Buenos Aires, Argentina. She studied choreography at the Juilliard School, with Mary Anthony, Jim May and many others. In 1994, she founded and directed her own dance school in Argentina (directed by her sister Pamela since 2001). She conducts lectures, master-classes and residencies at Universities throughout the US and abroad.
- Quotes -
Mare Nostrum Elements Movement Theater prides itself on eclectic collaboration across disciplines; geography and generations while maintaining it own strong identity. The only constant feature in their work is the excellent quality.
I have known the two founders for more than five years and have enjoyed much of what now is embodied in Mare Nostrum formatted in various workshops and performances along the way. I salute Nicola and Kevin for making what they do so well accessible to larger audiences, enabling more people to be the recipients of their collective talents.
As a middle-aged mother, I work in support of many organizations and institutions most with worthy and noble causes. I can think of none more deserving of support than Mare Nostrum and I hope you will join me in furthering their artistic development.
Sincerely,
Brinton Taylor Parson
(Fundraising advisor)
"To work with Mare Nostrum Elements you have to be somewhat humble, but when you are... some extraordinary things happen."
Laura Shallcross (original cast of Mediterranean Voices, 2001)
"Working with Kevin and Nicola is opening my eyes to an all new genre of performing." Giada Ferrone (cast member)
"When I was invited to audit one of Mare Nostrum Elements rehearsals, I was very impressed by the research process of the company and the richness of the exchange among the multi-ethnic artists." Barbara Allemand (cast member)
For additional information or questions contact:
Nicola Iervasi,
Artistic Director
646 528 4797
Mare Nostrum Elements Movement Theater 37-02 31st Avenue # 3F
Astoria, NY 11103 Tel/fax 718 545 6665
Email: marenostrumelements@hotmail.com
Website: www.mnelements.org
Download the press kit:
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.doc document
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 .pdf document
I N T R O D U C T I O N
In the post-modern dance age we are living in, we believe it is important for performers to be exposed not only to different techniques and art forms, but also to the emotional relationship between the movement and themselves. For this purpose, merging from our knowledge and stage experiences, we designed an experimental cross-disciplinary training that provides artists with interdisciplinary skills. (Nicola Iervasi & Kevin Albert, Artistic Directors)
The Wave Within is an interdisciplinary training that encompasses elements of contemporary dance, mime, physical theater and contact improvisation.
In a safe, non-judgmental environment, participants are encouraged to participate according to their personal understanding and point of view. This experimental approach allows any artist to find a strictly personal balance between body, mind and emotional impulses: three inseparable aspects of the same performing being. MNEMT workshops are suitable for adults and children of any artistic field and level; as well as movers from all walks of life willing to discover the power of the Wave Within themselves.
Class Description and workshops
MNEMT classes are divided in three sections:
- Preparation;
- Laboratory;
- Reviewing.
During the Preparation, the participants are guided to listen and re-discover their body with a combination of original exercises and concepts from Pilates, Gyrokinesisâ and Yoga. This section of the class is also dedicated to familiarize with the space and other participants in order to strengthen self-confidence and creativity.
The Laboratory consists of Explorations, Suggested conflicts and Experiments.
- Through the Exploration of mime, voice, color, work and music, students are exposed to different forms of expression and dynamics of movement.
- Suggested conflicts exercises are designed to stimulate emotional impulses. Given a conflict, participants task is to transform their emotional reaction into movement.
- Experiments are the most creative part of the laboratory. Given a theme or a structure, students are asked to interact in couple or group improvisations. The unknown aspect of the exercises, often leads to unique movement, interesting positions and relationships.
Reviewing is a very personal time during which every student rehears and perform a physical sequence using the material from one or more exercises.
Every class ends with a Discussion Circle where participants can ask questions, share comments and powerful moments experienced during the day.
B I O G R A P H I E S
Nicola Iervasi Native of Italy moved to NY to study at the Martha Graham School. Nicola performed with the Martha Graham Dance Ensemble, Pearl Lang, Dzul Dance, Max Luna III, Lacy James/ Mereminne Dancers and Igal Perry among others. Dance/Theatre experiences include works by Daniela Boensch, Giorgio Rossi and Brenda Baden Semper. Most recently Nicola completed a video performance of Anna Sokolow's "Rooms" Etude with Lorry May for Dance Legacy Project. Mr. Iervasi is the latest Alfred de Musset in the dance/drama "La Bonne Dame, remembering Georges Sand " by Deborah Zall. For this role he was described as "handsome and Agile" By Jennie Schulman on Back Stage.
Kevin Albert A graduate of The Boston Conservatory, he began his training in Movement Theater with Erika Batdorf. In Boston he was on the dance faculty of Jeannette Neil Dance Studio and Leon Collins Tap Studio. Kevin studies Acting with Fred Kareman in New York City. Professional credits include European Tours of West Side Story and My Fair Lady starring Richard Chamberlain and the National Tour of West Side Story playing the role of Bernardo with choreography by Jerome Robbins. Recently Kevin directed the one-man show Up, Up and Away in New York City.
* Complete resumes, guest leaders and performers biographies available upon request. (or visit: www.mnelements.org)
F O R M A T S
MNEMT classes can be offered as part of a program or as an independent presentation. The open structure and flexibility of the training allow us to design specific workshops according to time, participants and presenters needs.
We currently can offer:
Ø One-day intensive (4:00 or 5:00 hrs class)
Ø Two-day intensive (classes of 4:00 hrs each)
Ø Three-day workshop (classes of 3:00 hrs each)
Ø One-week workshop (classes of 3:00 hrs each)
Ø Special Intensive and Residency (flexible)
* All workshops will end with an informal showing or performance.
** Guest leaders and collaborators are available upon request.
Lecture demonstrations, performances and master classes can be arranged within a 45-60 minute school period.
C O N T A C T S
37-02 31st Avenue, # 3FAstoria, NY 11103Tel/Fax (+1) 718-545-6665
Artistic Director: Nicola IervasiTel: Italy (+39) 320-889-9228New York (+1) 646-528-4797
Email: workshops@mnelements.org
Web Site: http://www.mnelements.org
We highly appreciate your interest in our training.
Please, do not hesitate to contact us for any questions of further information.
C O M M E N T S F R O M P A R T I C I P A N T S
"Previous experiences = dance training = technique. This experience = first flight"
Marianthi Vrettou, Dancer
"Most classes spend hours on end digging into one thing or just with one main focus.
This class moved and touched many elements"
LaShonna Holloway, Dancer/Choreographer /Teacher
"I would recommend this training to performers needing to reconnect with their bodies and impulses in simple and spontaneous ways, as well as new students of theater and dance looking for a safe, non-judgmental environment in which to work. Nicola and Kevin are professional, skilled and gentle guides who balance the work well together"
Gordana Jelisijevic, Actress
"I started to listen to myself, the person/dancer within"
Nina Atkinson-Evans, Artistic Director of Loop Dance Company (UK)
"This is a performance class targeted towards finding the individual/unique place where movement comes from for each person. It allows dancers to find where their own strength lies in performance or composing" Ania Chetnik, Dancer
"Very thought provoking yet also centering and relaxing to the body and mind. Inspirational.
It was better than I expected." Claudia Spahr, Dancer
"The elements of the class are very different but they have the same goal: discover who we don't know yet; the other us" Bruno Papalia, Director of Gruppo Spontaneo (Italy)
"I enjoyed this. It felt safe, non-judgmental. I felt as if I could be playful, be myself. Thank you! Denise LaPointe, Teacher/Choreographer/Teacher
"This workshop gave me the opportunity to forget how do I look from the outside or to other people eyes" Anonymous
"It's a great possibility for a performing artist to utilize previous experience but also to find something completely new. This training helped me so much on emotional level, after the class I felt being myself" Lyudmila Martsun, Dancer
"I felt nurtured and fully inspired to explore the MAGIC. After the class I felt I had unlimited vision. May you continue to share your light!" Parashakti, Shamanic Trance dance Facilitator
Dear Nicola and Kevin,
Thank you for another wonderful workshop! It was a very different experience for me this time,
It seems your first class opened up a door for me and now after this one I can see even more what the benefits of your training are and could be. I'm looking forward to join you again.
Love Eva E-mail from Eva Hansson, Dancer
"This is amazing!!! Finally someone is doing this. All of my dancing years I thought that the craft lacked expression and that most actors lack movement skills. This is just great!"
Email from Marie Rubin, Performer
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