NEW ARTiculations Dance Theatre is a modern dance company in Tucson, Arizona. We are committed to making modern dance more visible, accessible, and useful and to providing artistic and experiential opportunities in movement for local dancers and choreographers and audiences. We’ve been called “edgy,” though we’re not exactly sure why. Maybe because of our interest and commitment to staying on the cutting edge of contemporary choreography and of civic engagement. Or maybe because we’ve danced in the rooms of an old downtown hotel as well as on the roof of one of the city’s highest parking garages. Or because we like to take on hard issues and make them move. No matter, we don’t mind the description. Nor any of the others–adventurous, adaptive, bold, collaborative, curious, energetic, innovative, talented and smart. (Blush.)
…and we’re on Facebook, of course: www.facebook.com/new.articulations.dance
Currently under the artistic direction of Kimi Eisele and Katie Rutterer, the company was founded in 1997 by Tammy Rosen, LeighAnn Rangel Sotomayor, and Jennifer Pollack. These three dancers wanted to choreograph their own work, but felt there was a vacuum of venues for creating and showing new work. Their commitment to supporting the growth of dancers as performers and choreographers as well as producing high quality work, has remained as a mainstay of the company ever since.
NEW ART has presented the work of over 50 local artists and 20 guest artists. The company has performed traditional modern, post modern, theatrical and interdisciplinary works, and gained notable popularity for its work incorporating theatre, literature, and new music into full evening multi-media performances. The company’s work was noted in the Tucson Weekly’s “Best of Tucson” in 2000, 2003, 2005, and 2009.
Thematic shows geared toward children and families such as “Trickster” in 2005 and “Hansel and Gretel” in 2006 gave choreographers a unified structure to work from, and attracted new audiences. More recent productions have solidified the company’s commitment to community outreach, collaboration, and public participation, a process shown to deeply serve participants, artists, and audiences. It has done so by producing a series of innovative performances involving collaborations with both arts and non-arts institutions. Visit our Past Projects page to read more about these works.
To promote the growth of emerging dancers and choreographers, NEW ART offers on-going modern technique classes (in partnership with The Dance Loft) and has provided over ten guest artist residencies through its Guest Artist Series, bringing nationally known guest artists to teach and set new work on the company. To support the artistic growth of aspiring local choreographers, NEW ART produces concerts designed exclusively to show the work of emerging choreographers, provides mentoring with more established choreographers, and offers critique sessions to provide artists with peer feedback on work-in-progress.
NEW ART’s goals are to 1) produce high quality, new innovative performances 2) reach out to new audiences in Arizona, 3) create public access to original high quality choreography and dance performance in collaboration with artists from other genres; 4) promote an appreciation for dance throughout the community; and 5) continue to create works that inspire audiences and serve as a social awakening mechanism. These goals are served by our innovative programming, annual performances, on-going pursuit of technical mastery, community collaborations and outreach, and our commitment to creating a “non-diva” supportive atmosphere.