CBC is excited to host several virtual opportunities for the Spring 2021 semester:
2 original dance FILMs
Columbia Ballet Collaborative is excited to step up to the challenge of creating original and innovative dance in a virtual format. Staying true to our mission to foster artistic collaboration between the campus and New York City dance communities, we will be producing two original dance films for our Spring 2021 season.
The first film will be a collaboration between choreographer Alexandra Hutchinson and filmmaker Henry Thong. Hutchinson holds a BS in Ballet from Indiana University and danced professionally with Nashville Ballet before moving to her current company, Dance Theatre of Harlem. Thong’s work has been screened and recognized at the Miami Fashion Film Festival, Virgin Australia Melbourne Fashion Festival, and Dance on Camera Festival at Lincoln Center among others. This film will be rehearsed virtually and filmed in person (socially distanced) in New York City.
Our second film will bring together student choreographer Sarah Marazzi-Sassoon and a student filmmaker. Sarah created an original work titled “on the last day” for CBC’s Fall 2019 season. We are thrilled to have her back for the Spring 2021 season. This film be rehearsed, filmed, and edited remotely, accommodating students who are currently located outside of New York.
To be casted in a film, dancers must either attend the Live Zoom Audition on (1/16, 1-2:30 pm EST) or submit a video by Jan 22nd at 11:59pm EST. Please fill out this form to register for auditions.
Student-Choreographer mentorship program
The fall semester saw the successful unveiling of a new iteration of our mentorship program, which we are excited to carry into the spring. Four student choreographers worked with mentor Sidra Bell over the course of the semester to develop their choreographic voices and attended supplementary enrichment workshops with guest choreographers.
During the spring semester, a small group of student-choreographers will have the opportunity to explore and develop their choreographic process and movement under the guidance of professional choreographer Janice Rosario.
Janice Rosario has choreographed for many institutions, including the Martha Graham School, Ailey/Fordham University, and Howard University. CBC was also fortunate to work with her in Fall 2017. In addition to choreographing, Rosario is currently a faculty member at The Alvin Ailey School, and she has taught at Broadway Dance Center, Steps on Broadway, Gibney Dance Center, and Ballet Hispanico. Rosario is also the artist in residence at Dean College, Brockport University, and the Baltimore School of the Arts.
As a student-choreographer, you will attend biweekly meetings with your mentor. On alternate weeks, you will attend supplemental workshops led by other professional choreographers. These workshops will allow you to hear from a diverse range of dance professionals and further develop your choreography skills. This semester, workshops will be led by Yoshito Sakuraba, Rena Butler, Yin Yue, and Eve Jacobs. The program will end with a zoom showing where you will have the opportunity to present your work to family, and friends.
This program is intended for all students who are interested in choreography. No prior choreographic experience is necessary to participate! This is meant to be a safe space for creative exploration and development - everyone is expected to work at their own pace, and in their own ways. We will select a small cohort of ~4 students to facilitate more personal engagement with choreographers. Additionally, we would like to use our resources to support you however we can. Funding can be made available to you for hiring a videographer, or buying costumes, or anything that you need for your choreography projects and/or career. (Note: funding is contingent on University guidelines regarding COVID, and student club spending regulations).
There will be one virtual session per week, and each session will be 1-2 hours. The first session will be Saturday, January 30th, and the last (final showing) will be Saturday, April 10th.
Please fill out this form to apply. Application deadline: Sunday, January 24th by 11:59pm EST