Organization
Project: Motion
Project: Motion is a Memphis based modern dance collective that presents an original repertoire of inspiring movement to audiences while nurturing local dancers and choreographers.
-
At-a-
Glance
-
Current &
Upcoming Events
-
Upcoming Events
02/17/12-
02/19/12 |
AXIS: Long Distance Affairs
The Evergreen Theater
Presented by Project: Motion
at The Evergreen Theater
February 17-February 19, 2012
Project: Motion continues to unveil its 25th anniversary season of compelling dance by “hooking up” with distant dance makers from Seattle and Houston for a one-of-a-kind weekend of synergistic storytelling that will fuse hip-hop, improvisation, and contemporary movement styles. Now in its third year, AXIS has been established as a perennial performance mix that introduces Memphis audiences to the unique work being developed by visiting artists and choreographers from across the map.
|
05/18/12-
05/27/12 |
Bloom: A Landscape of New Dances
The Evergreen Theater
Presented by Project: Motion
at The Evergreen Theater
May 18-May 27, 2012
New dances sprout in abundance as Project: Motion concludes its 25th anniversary season with home grown choreography from its collective members. Inspired by the beauty of Memphis gardens and green spaces, Project: Motion digs down deep, discovering fertile ground for collaborating, exploring and cultivating new vibrant dance works. Throughout the creative process, each choreographer will form a tangible connection with a section of a garden, observing it through the seasons and documenting...
|
-
Past
Events
-
Video &
Images
-
Video & Image Gallery
Video
|
Images
Images
-
Media
Reviews
-
Member
Reviews
-
Member Reviews
-
Event Name: P:M/25 Anniversary Edition
"A dance showcase for the attention deficit!"
Review
posted by:
Teresa Bell
from Memphis,
Oct 27, 2011
This past weekend Project: Motion unveiled
their 25th Anniversary Show with a little twist
on previous editions. This show, like other
anniversary shows in the past, explored past
dances from the company's history.
Reconnecting with founder Ann Halligan
Donahue, PM gives new audiences a glimpse
into its past by showcasing two of Donahue's
unique works. One of these pieces, Selkie, is
set to the narration of an ancient Irish folktale.
Selkie is danced beautifully by Louisa Koeppel
and seems so distinctive in the show, perhaps
because it was originally performed by the
group in 1996.
Another standout piece is the 25/25 finale,
which is kind of like a power hour for dance.
The company seamlessly assembles 25
different dances together within a 25 minute
time span. The result is a lively piece that
allows the audience to see the unique
influence of each individual member of the
company and how their visions produce a
singularly diverse work.
Collapse
All reviews/comments and complete event details
-
Event Name: Frame-by-Frame
"Frame by Frame"
Review
posted by:
Teresa Bell
from Memphis, TN,
May 26, 2011
The Project: Motion production Frame by Frame challenged choreographers to create dances inspired by motion pictures...and then intimately filmed their process! The choreographers chose from a variety of films- from the dance-inspired "Tap" to the hyper-feminine "Stepford Wives" and even an over the top finale piece that drew on inspiration from multiple films such as "Alice in Wonderland", "Nightmare Before Christmas" and "Gangs of New York". Other choreographers took less inspiration from the aesthetic of the film and chose music from movies that had personal significance ("Halloween", "Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind"). Much of the fun from watching Frame by Frame comes from seeing a familiar film transform into a different form of art. However, another piece of this production is the video interludes filmed by Eric B Swartz. I've always been fascinated by Project:Motion pieces and these films offered an opportunity for the audience to peak in on the process of creation.
Collapse
All reviews/comments and complete event details
-
Event Name: ReNEWal
"ReNEWal"
Comment
posted by:
Teresa Bell
from Memphis, TN,
Oct 27, 2010
The first Project Motion show I went to was in 2008 and I have been a fan ever since. The creativity of the choreographers and the expressiveness of the dancers (not to mention their stamina!) instantly struck me and I always look forward to seeing their upcoming performances. Although I discovered Project Motion relatively recently, I was in luck this past weekend when their new-old show, "ReNEWal" opened. Having the chance to see some of the choreographers' personal favorites from past seasons (all the way back to 1987!) re-performed was a great opportunity to learn more about how the company has grown and evolved during its history. What is perhaps so interesting about watching these performances is the fact that they still seem new and fresh. Each dance has escaped the time capsule that once held it and even the choreography set to 1980's synthpop felt like it could have easily been written specifically for the 2010 show. These performances make you realize just how progressive and timeless modern dance can be.
I was also lucky enough to have a friend accompany me on Saturday who was not previously familiar with Project Motion's work. After seeing "ReNEWal" she, like me, was instantly converted to being a fan of the company. For anyone else who hasn't had a chance to catch one of their shows, I strongly recommend stopping by the Evergreen Theater next weekend to see the awesomeness that is Project Motion.
Collapse
All reviews/comments and complete event details
-
Event Name: eMPHasis on BLUE
"Review by Teresa Bell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Teresa Bell - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Jun 07, 2010
Project: Motion eMPHasis on BLUE opened this weekend, offering audiences a chance to see how a seemingly simple concept- the color blue- can turn into a sundry mix of ideas capable of inspiring unique performances. The collaborating artists blue themes drew from emotions, nature, musical styles, pop culture, and memories to produce a wide range of contemporary pieces. A solo piece titled "turning", choreographed and performed by Ondine Geary, was based on the idea that we are all at the will of the body and at some point we just won't function the same physically ("turning blue"/"blue veins"). The dance explores the pride we take in physical abilities and how we conceal, mourn, and eventually accept the fact one day our bodies could simply turn on us. "Spiraled Tides", choreographed by guest artist Kelly Ferris Lester, took inspiration from the ocean and fully captured the peace and power that are synonymous with the deep blue sea. The dancers brought the tides to life by lending the piece a dynamic yet cyclical quality. "Rhythm is in the Blues" presented the audience with a very different yet straight forward approach to the color blue: Rhythm and Blues. Perhaps it is because Wayne M. Smith chose music by his uncle, Memphis musician Johnny "Ace"Alexander, but the piece has a certain authenticity and honesty to it that can often be downplayed in highly conceptual art. Although the piece is choreographed, it is possible to sense that the performers seem liberated and truly enjoy dancing to the familiar music. It is easy to also sense that the audience truly enjoys watching them perform.
Collapse
All reviews/comments and complete event details
-
Event Name: eMPHasis on BLUE
"Preview by David Prete - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
David Prete - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Jun 03, 2010
This Friday, June 4, Project: Motion opens Emphasis on Blue, the final show of their 23rd season. No ruse in the title; the theme for the show is blue. Why blue? Because the company believes something awful has happened to everything and our collective underlying state has become blue…? Not exactly. The show isn’t focused on blue in the melancholic sense. “We picked blue,” says Artistic Director Jay Rapp, “because it’s an abstract enough concept that different kinds of artists can relate to in different ways: color, mood, music… ” Choosing a theme so vulnerable to interpretation helped the company achieve their greater objective for this show: to integrate various art forms into an evening of dance.
Aside of dancers, choreographers, light, sound and costume designers, audiences will experience the work of musicians, a writer, singer, painter, fabric designer, and photographer, (one dancer even worked with a theater director). We could argue that the company is also working with a new architect, considering they are performing in a different theater: this show marks the company’s first move as a resident company to the Evergreen Theater (formerly Circuit Playhouse).
Project: Motion does not collaborate for collaboration’s sake; it’s part of what has kept their energy up for the past 23 seasons, and what has challenged their artists. “Collaborating helps you to see your work through a different lens,” says Rapp. “It pushes you to take a less familiar journey through your creative process and shifts your artistic perspective.” It also offers the audience the opportunity to consider concepts from different perspectives, to gain a more complex understanding of something assumed. And in a time when something awful has happened to everything, perspective is worth more than the price of admission.
Collapse
All reviews/comments and complete event details
-
Event Name: Pre-Sent/Pres-ent 8: Home for the Holidays
"Review by Bob Arnold - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver"
Comment
posted by:
Bob Artnold - ArtsMemphis Rants & Raver
from Memphis, TN,
Dec 15, 2009
Seeing as how the same old songs, plays, and TV specials get trotted out at this time every year, you might think that the holidays are creatively bankrupt -- that, artistically, there's just nothing left to say. Not so. Witness Voices of the South and Project Motion's "Pre-sent Pres-ent," an annual melange of original performance pieces that encompasses monologues, music, movement, and more. Developed by the performers in response to hand-built "gifts" (all of which are Memphis-themed this year), the pieces are by turns charming, thrilling, poignant, mysterious, surprising, and hilarious. And yet somehow it all hangs together effortlessly, leaving you with feelings of wonder and joy that other holiday shows try so desperately to evoke. As with any production this varied, you're bound to like some of the pieces more than others, but all of them are worthy additions, and none sticks around long enough to wear out its welcome. The fact that the evening is emceed by Steve Swift's pitch-perfect Sister Myotis is a major bonus. It's a thrill to go from his loose, improvisational style to a tightly choreographed movement piece and back again. What a gift: a holiday-themed show that manages to find some new things to say about the season, and that evokes sentiment without ever being sentimental. So go see it, but be sure to tuck something in your pocket for the Secret Santa Swap. You've been warned.
Collapse
All reviews/comments and complete event details
-
Event Name: Muscle Memory: looking back, moving forward
"Thanks, Arts Memphis!"
Comment
posted by:
Sarah Ledbetter
from Memphis, TN,
May 13, 2008
Thanks, Arts Memphis, and thanks to this city, for your ongoing support! We are extremely excited about the work we're presenting in Muscle Memory, and hope to see as many of you there as possible. Saturday, May 23rd, there will be a reception following, and the chance to speak with dancers and choreographers. We'd love to hear your thoughts and see your faces.
Collapse
All reviews/comments and complete event details
.jpg)
• .jpg)
• 
• 
