IU choreographer set to present work in New York’s Dumbo Dance Festival
Guest post courtesy of IU Communications multimedia intern Milana Katic:
A still shot from one of Shea’s previous pieces, “Flawed.”
Elizabeth Shea, Associate Professor and Director of Contemporary Dance in the Department of Theatre, Drama and Contemporary Dance at Indiana University Bloomington, has been invited to showcase her work at the 14th Annual Dumbo Dance Festival in New York City.
“I’ve never submitted work before, but it’s a very well-known festival,” Shea said. “Many working choreographers have at one point presented their work there.”
The festival is named after it’s home in Dumbo, Brooklyn – not a jab at the people who live there, but rather a fun acronym for “Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass.” The area is known for being a hub of creativity, and the Dumbo Dance Festival in particular was created as an opportunity to feature the up-and-coming choreographers of contemporary dance, while also providing a way to fund the production of their work.
This year’s festival will feature approximately 350 performers from over 75 dance companies. Shea will be presenting a solo piece titled “In the Seas,” with IU adjunct instructor Rachel Newbrough performing.
“I’m most excited about Rachel’s New York debut,” Shea said. “She’s a striking dancer – all limbs and legs. We’re working with the concept of other worldliness in the piece, and Rachel has these unique, fine hand and finger gestures that are interspersed with big, athletic movements. We’ve had a great time creating this work.”
The festival begins with a gala dinner on Sept. 25, followed by a variety of dance performances through Sept. 28. For more information, visit the festival’s website.
Tags: contemporary dance, Dumbo Dance Festival, Elizabeth Shea
