It’s no surprise that dance is evolving and taking new roots. Although romantic tutus and low buns are still popular, there is a new energy and longing for contemporary movement and edgy sophistication. Art collaboration is becoming increasingly popular to fulfill this new energy and artists are looking to each other for inspiration. It is my goal to scout out the companies, choreographers and artists that are working ensemble to produce work that have required a collaboration experience.

After watching Complexions Contemporary Ballet (founded by Dwight Rhoden and co-founder Desmond Richardson) this past November at the Joyce in NYC, I was convinced this innovative and world renown company would be the first to look at closely. Any contemporary ballet dancer would agree that the dancers in Complexions are top notch, the best of the best when it comes to contemporary movement. The classic training behind the athletic movement is obvious with precision of line and elegance, not to mention their incredibly beautiful bodies, non like the other.

I had the honor of interviewing company member Shanna Irwin who joined the company in 2014.

What does collaboration mean to you?

Artists working together to create a product that connects the audience

How has your experience at CCB given you opportunities to collaborate?

A specific example was our most recent collaboration; performing as featured dancers in the Jill Scott music video “Back Together.” This opportunity allowed the entire company to use Dwight’s choreography with artists from outside of the Complexions family. It was a new environment, with additional elements, creating a collaboration that concert dancers usually do not get to experience.

What was it like working with the film crew and Jill Scott?

Sadly, we filmed in New York and Jill Scott was not at the filming, but working with the film crew was a great experience. There were so many talented professionals on set completely engaged in what they were doing. It was amazing to see that although we were all brought there to perform a different task, our work ethic was on the same level.

 

 

How was this experience different than a stage performance? How was your focus different now that you were dancing for cameras rather than a live audience?

This was an opportunity for us to create something that will last, and continually reach out to a greater audience. The intention of my focus was similar to what I would do on stage because in both situations the movement needs to engaged whoever is watching it. The viewer can watch the video as many times as they want whereas if they are watching us in the theatre, they only get to see what we do that night, it is different with every show. Film gives you room to take scenes over and over again, a luxury we do not have in live theater.

Was any of the movement improvised or was it all staged and choreographed?

Most of the movement was choreographed, and the director of the music video would say a specific emotion he would want for a moment in the piece of music. Dwight would organize, and then show him some of our movement phrases until they found a match. Some sections where you see us as background, or simply reaching, those were improved, but with direction.

Do you prefer to collaborate with other artists or find inspiration in something?

I can find inspiration in any type of art, living and non-living. I experienced a collaboration like this when Complexions was part of the Sundance Film Festival in a production called “The Way of The Rain.” This project included dancers, musicians, singers, and most importantly the paintings of Sibylle Szaggars. Her paintings (created by natural rain, and watercolors) were the inspiration for the entire production, in search to raise awareness of our changing environment. This project had continuous layers of collaboration.

 

Who is it that you have collaborated with and what did you learn about yourself or your art.

My co-workers. Complexions is made up of individuals who are able to bring a piece of themselves to a whole. Each day collaborating with my coworkers allows me to pull out my distinct qualities, that can be found within the way I think of my art, and execute movement. Since this is different for all of us, the extent of what we can learn from one another is infinite.

 

Be sure to check out Shanna and Complexions Contemporary Ballet on their website: www.complexionsdance.org

Photo Credit: Karsten Staiger