Media Release – October, 2024
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Metamorphosis Dance Concert: Live Debuts and New Works Grace the Stage
November 20-24, 2024 – Earle Ernst Lab Theatre
The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s Department of Theatre & Dance and Kennedy Theatre proudly presents Metamorphosis, a live dance concert performance with new choreography and dances reimagined for the stage for the first time with in-person audiences from the 2021 virtual remote concert of Sphere. Co-directed by UHM Dance faculty members Pei-Ling Kao (高沛齡) and Kara Jhalak Miller, the annual dance concert showcases innovative live choreography and dance films by a dynamic team of local guest choreographers and UHM faculty, performed by department students. Performances will take place in the Earle Ernst Lab Theatre from Nov. 20-24, 2024, with shows Wednesday through Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets are priced from $8 to $18.
Metamorphosis unites a diverse and exciting array of choreography that explores themes of resilience, transformation, and cultural practices. Each beautifully crafted choreography, paired with stunning visual design, contributes to an overarching narrative that reflects the complexities of human experience and the power of movement as a means of expression. The concert features a blend of contemporary, traditional, and hybrid styles, inviting audiences to explore transformation, growth, and change, become immersed in a celebration of movement, storytelling, and artistic expression.
Vicky Holt Takamine‘s Kai Wawā Ka Moku, a dance film created in 2021 in collaboration with filmmaker Donard Sonoda, draws inspiration from an ancient chant describing the ocean’s colors and the birth of new islands. For this production, the piece features a new live hula performance, evoking themes of rebirth and revitalization, and reflecting nature’s cleansing power as a source of hope. Peter Rockford Espiritu’s Hale Ali‘i o Waimaka (House of Tears) offers a poignant reflection on trauma and history, set against the backdrop of ‘Iolani Palace through video projection design. This ballet addresses the ongoing impact of colonialism and invites contemplation of Hawaiian identity and resilience through the lens of the past.
In Prāṇa, Kara Jhalak Miller illuminates the historical hybrid lineage of contemporary dance with yoga philosophy and hatha yoga, focusing on the vital life force that flows through our bodies. This piece features a captivating blend of live performance and new media projection, inviting audiences to consider connections to the body, energy, and movement. Pei-Ling Kao presents 境 Jing, a fusion of Tai Chi Dao Ying, martial arts, and contemporary movement, accompanied by music composed by Jorge Bachmann. This work invites audiences to explore their surroundings through the interplay of motion and stillness, highlighting the importance of balance in life.
Another piece by Kao, Chop, combines martial arts, urban dance, and whimsical movement to create an uplifting experience that encourages joy and creativity. Sai Bhatawadekar’s Rरegh delves into themes of grief and belonging, utilizing Hindustani Classical music and personal poetry to navigate complex emotions. The innovative lighting and costume design enhances the work’s exploration of ancestral connections and embodied memory. Lorenzo Perillo’s screendance Pasok serves as a tribute to frontline workers during COVID-19, integrating hip-hop elements to communicate empowerment and resilience within the Filipinx community, highlighting the significant contributions of these essential workers. Amy Schiffner’s SuperModality, set to original music by Jonathan Sypert, is a hyper-physical exploration of sound, beat, and rhythm within the body. The bold and unapologetic choreography, shifting from direct to supple energies, invites the audience to feel the pulse of the music and move in their seats, fully immersed in the performance.
For more information and link to purchase tickets for the Metamorphosis dance concert, please visit manoa.hawaii.edu/liveonstage/mdc/. Tickets can be purchased online 24/7. For ticketing or accessibility questions, please contact the box office at ktbox@hawaii.edu or by calling 808-956-7655.