Monthly Archives: August 2010

Dance Faculty Members in performance!

Jumatatu Poe will be performing as a member of the choreographer series 8 at the Live Arts – Fringe Festival on September 7th and 8th and September 11th and 12th.

C. Kemal Nance is also performing at the Live Arts – Fringe Festival on September 9th and September 12th.  Kemal will also be part of the PhD concert at Temple on October 30th and 31st at 2PM on Saturday, and 7:30PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

Meredith Rainey will be performing with Danse4Nia September 11th and 12th at the Freedom Theatre.  Meredith is teaching the Ballet Repertory class this semester and will be featured in our Fall Student Dance Concert in December.  He will also be part of an event on November 13th along with Kate Watson Wallace at the Montgomery Community College.

Jeanine Osayande will be performing with Flyground on September 17th and 18th as part of the Live Arts – Fringe Festival.

Leah Stein will be performing as part of a Japanese-US cultural exchange at the Japan House, September 9th, 10th and 11th, for the Live Arts – Fringe Festival.

A dance film created by Kim Arrow will be shown as part of the Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema in Boulder, CO.

Pallabi Chakravorty will be performing with her company, the Courtyard Dancers, on October 8th and 9th at 7:30PM as part of an event with the Asian Arts Initiative.  Check her website or here for more information closer to the dates.  Pallabi will also be participating  in a performance and workshop at Indiana University as part of the India Studies Program on October 23rd.

Click on the above links for more information and check our News updates frequently!

Dance Faculty Members in performance!

Jumatatu Poe will be performing as a member of the choreographer series 8 at the Live Arts – Fringe Festival on September 7th and 8th and September 11th and 12th.

C. Kemal Nance is also performing at the Live Arts – Fringe Festival on September 9th and September 12th.  Kemal will also be part of the PhD concert at Temple on October 30th and 31st at 2PM on Saturday, and 7:30PM on both Saturday and Sunday.

Meredith Rainey will be performing with Danse4Nia September 11th and 12th at the Freedom Theatre.  Meredith is teaching the Ballet Repertory class this semester and will be featured in our Fall Student Dance Concert in December.  He will also be part of an event on November 13th along with Kate Watson Wallace at the Montgomery Community College.

Jeanine Osayande will be performing with Flyground on September 17th and 18th as part of the Live Arts – Fringe Festival.

Leah Stein will be performing as part of a Japanese-US cultural exchange at the Japan House, September 9th, 10th and 11th, for the Live Arts – Fringe Festival.

A dance film created by Kim Arrow will be shown as part of the Sans Souci Festival of Dance Cinema in Boulder, CO.

Pallabi Chakravorty will be performing with her company, the Courtyard Dancers, on October 8th and 9th at 7:30PM as part of an event with the Asian Arts Initiative.  Check her website or here for more information closer to the dates.  Pallabi will also be participating  in a performance and workshop at Indiana University as part of the India Studies Program on October 23rd.

Click on the above links for more information and check our News updates frequently!

Sudharshan Seneviratne arrives as Visiting Cornell Professor

Sudharshan Seneviratne

Sudharshan Seneviratne

Sudharshan Seneviratne, whose interest in the use of archaeology in building national and ethnic identities has led to innovative programs in conflict resolution and peace studies, is this year’s Cornell Visiting Professor. Currently a professor and chair of archaeology at the University of Peradeniya, Seneviratnes is also director general of the Central Cultural Fund of Sri Lanka, the custodian organization of the country’s UNESCO-declared World Heritage sites.

“My research work is directed towards utilizing history and archaeology for human rights activity, conflict resolution, and peace studies, with special reference to school children and village communities,” he says. “In addition, my current work also involves environmental protection, especially UNESCO-prescribed intangible heritage, sustainable management of the environment through heritage initiatives, and revitalizing traditional craft communities.”

Hosted in the Department of Religion, this fall Seneviratne will teach Buddhist Ideology and Social Response, an examination of the functional role of Buddhism in response to urbanism and empire systems in North India, mercantilism in central and south India, monastic feudalism in Sri Lanka, and colonialism and post-colonial nationalism of South Asia. Next semester, he will teach Politics of the Past, a study of the sophisticated and widespread contemporary political use of cultural material from historical and archaeological sources.

For more than 30 years, Seneviratne has explored Sri Lankan and Indian archaeological sites and developed research methodologies in interpretative and theoretical archaeology. In 2002, he received the Distinguished Leadership Award from the American Bibliographic Institute for his contributions to archaeology and history and was inducted as a Fellow of the National Academy of Sciences in Sri Lanka. He is the first Sri Lankan to receive both an M.A. and Ph.D from Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi.

by Alisa Giardinelli

Swarthmore artists at the LiveArts-Philly Fringe 2010!

Swarthmore theater and dance alumni, faculty, and staff are again strongly represented in this year’s Philadelphia LiveArts-Fringe Festival, running September 3-18, 2010.

Those participating include:

Telephone Bronco Theater Company makes their collective debut with the world premiere of CARTOGORAPHASIA, created by the company on campus this summer with the support of the Swarthmore Project in Theater.  Company members include Nell Bang-Jensen ’11, Jessica Bear ’08, Emma Ferguson ’10, Sam Goodman ’10, Eric Holzhauer ’10, Louis Jargow ’10, and Isa St. Clair ’11.

Performances at Circle of Hope, 1125 S. Broad Street.

September 3, 4, 10, 11. (Fringe Festival).

The Groudswell Players will make their collective debut with the world premiere of HOW TO SOLVE A BEAR.  The company includes Jesse Paulsen ’09 and Emma Ferguson ’10.

Performed at the Mainstage at the Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street.

September 4, 6, 9, 12, 17 (Fringe Festival).

Director and digital media designer Lars Jan ’00 is collaborating with choreographer Nichole Canuso on the world premiere of a dance-theater piece TAKES, by the Nichole Canuso Dance Company.  Performing in the piece is Dito van Reigersberg ’94 (of Pig Iron Theatre Company).  Technical and lighting direction by LPAC Staff Office member Dave Todaro.  TAKES was supported in part by the Swarthmore Project in Theater.

Performances at Theater West at The Hub, (SW corner of 5th Street and Fairmount Avenue in Northern Liberties).

September 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 18  (LiveArts Festival).

Playwright and actor Adriano Shaplin (part-time instructor of playwriting in the Department of Theater) performs in the world premiere of his latest play FREEDOM CLUB, a collaboration between his company The Riot Group and Philadelphia’s New Paradise Laboratories.

Performances at the Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad Street (corner of South Street).

September 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 (LiveArts Festival).

Pig Iron Theatre Company is presenting the world premiere of their latest production, CANKERBLOSSOM, directed by Dan Rothenberg ’95.

Performances at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street (near 2nd & Market Streets).

September 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (LiveArts Festival).

Dance faculty member and choreographer Jumatatu Poe ’04 is presenting the world premiere of his piece UNSTUCK on a double bill with choreographer Eun Jung Choi.

Performances at the Live Arts Studio, 919 N. 5th Street (at Poplar Street in Northern Liberties).

September 11, 12 (Live Arts Festival).

Green Chair Dance Group is performing in GRAVITY THEATER, a collaboration with InMovement Dance and Amanda Varone.  Green Chair Dance Group consists of Sarah Gladwin-Camp ’05, John Beauregard ’05, Greg Holt ’05, and Hannah de Keijzer ’06.

Performances at InMovement Studio, 737 S. 8th Street (South Philadelphia).

September 15, 16.

Greg Holt ’05 is performing in the world premiere of choreographer Brian Sanders’ SANCTUARY, presented by his company Junk.

Performances at Theater East at The Hub (SW corner of 5th Street and Fairmount Avenue in Northern Liberties).

September 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 (LiveArts Festival)

Additional information about these and the many other performances in the LiveArts-Fringe program this year can be found in hard copies of the festival guide that are available in the LPAC Lower Lobby (outside the LPAC Staff Office) or by going to www.livearts-fringe.org.

Tickets can be bought any time on line by going to the festival website and selecting “Shows”.  The festival box office will be open starting August 23 at The Hub (at the SW corner of 5th and Fairmount Streets) in Northern Liberties.

Swarthmore artists at the LiveArts-Philly Fringe 2010!

Swarthmore theater and dance alumni, faculty, and staff are again strongly represented in this year’s Philadelphia LiveArts-Fringe Festival, running September 3-18, 2010.

Those participating include:

Telephone Bronco Theater Company makes their collective debut with the world premiere of CARTOGORAPHASIA, created by the company on campus this summer with the support of the Swarthmore Project in Theater.  Company members include Nell Bang-Jensen ’11, Jessica Bear ’08, Emma Ferguson ’10, Sam Goodman ’10, Eric Holzhauer ’10, Louis Jargow ’10, and Isa St. Clair ’11.

Performances at Circle of Hope, 1125 S. Broad Street.

September 3, 4, 10, 11. (Fringe Festival).

The Groudswell Players will make their collective debut with the world premiere of HOW TO SOLVE A BEAR.  The company includes Jesse Paulsen ’09 and Emma Ferguson ’10.

Performed at the Mainstage at the Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street.

September 4, 6, 9, 12, 17 (Fringe Festival).

Director and digital media designer Lars Jan ’00 is collaborating with choreographer Nichole Canuso on the world premiere of a dance-theater piece TAKES, by the Nichole Canuso Dance Company.  Performing in the piece is Dito van Reigersberg ’94 (of Pig Iron Theatre Company).  Technical and lighting direction by LPAC Staff Office member Dave Todaro.  TAKES was supported in part by the Swarthmore Project in Theater.

Performances at Theater West at The Hub, (SW corner of 5th Street and Fairmount Avenue in Northern Liberties).

September 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 18  (LiveArts Festival).

Playwright and actor Adriano Shaplin (part-time instructor of playwriting in the Department of Theater) performs in the world premiere of his latest play FREEDOM CLUB, a collaboration between his company The Riot Group and Philadelphia’s New Paradise Laboratories.

Performances at the Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad Street (corner of South Street).

September 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 (LiveArts Festival).

Pig Iron Theatre Company is presenting the world premiere of their latest production, CANKERBLOSSOM, directed by Dan Rothenberg ’95.

Performances at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street (near 2nd & Market Streets).

September 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (LiveArts Festival).

Dance faculty member and choreographer Jumatatu Poe ’04 is presenting the world premiere of his piece UNSTUCK on a double bill with choreographer Eun Jung Choi.

Performances at the Live Arts Studio, 919 N. 5th Street (at Poplar Street in Northern Liberties).

September 11, 12 (Live Arts Festival).

Green Chair Dance Group is performing in GRAVITY THEATER, a collaboration with InMovement Dance and Amanda Varone.  Green Chair Dance Group consists of Sarah Gladwin-Camp ’05, John Beauregard ’05, Greg Holt ’05, and Hannah de Keijzer ’06.

Performances at InMovement Studio, 737 S. 8th Street (South Philadelphia).

September 15, 16.

Greg Holt ’05 is performing in the world premiere of choreographer Brian Sanders’ SANCTUARY, presented by his company Junk.

Performances at Theater East at The Hub (SW corner of 5th Street and Fairmount Avenue in Northern Liberties).

September 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 (LiveArts Festival)

Additional information about these and the many other performances in the LiveArts-Fringe program this year can be found in hard copies of the festival guide that are available in the LPAC Lower Lobby (outside the LPAC Staff Office) or by going to www.livearts-fringe.org.

Tickets can be bought any time on line by going to the festival website and selecting “Shows”.  The festival box office will be open starting August 23 at The Hub (at the SW corner of 5th and Fairmount Streets) in Northern Liberties.

Swarthmore artists at the LiveArts-Philly Fringe 2010!

Swarthmore theater and dance alumni, faculty, and staff are again strongly represented in this year’s Philadelphia LiveArts-Fringe Festival, running September 3-18, 2010.

Those participating include:

Telephone Bronco Theater Company makes their collective debut with the world premiere of CARTOGORAPHASIA, created by the company on campus this summer with the support of the Swarthmore Project in Theater.  Company members include Nell Bang-Jensen ’11, Jessica Bear ’08, Emma Ferguson ’10, Sam Goodman ’10, Eric Holzhauer ’10, Louis Jargow ’10, and Isa St. Clair ’11.

Performances at Circle of Hope, 1125 S. Broad Street.

September 3, 4, 10, 11. (Fringe Festival).

The Groudswell Players will make their collective debut with the world premiere of HOW TO SOLVE A BEAR.  The company includes Jesse Paulsen ’09 and Emma Ferguson ’10.

Performed at the Mainstage at the Adrienne Theatre, 2030 Sansom Street.

September 4, 6, 9, 12, 17 (Fringe Festival).

Director and digital media designer Lars Jan ’00 is collaborating with choreographer Nichole Canuso on the world premiere of a dance-theater piece TAKES, by the Nichole Canuso Dance Company.  Performing in the piece is Dito van Reigersberg ’94 (of Pig Iron Theatre Company).  Technical and lighting direction by LPAC Staff Office member Dave Todaro.  TAKES was supported in part by the Swarthmore Project in Theater.

Performances at Theater West at The Hub, (SW corner of 5th Street and Fairmount Avenue in Northern Liberties).

September 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11, 17, 18  (LiveArts Festival).

Playwright and actor Adriano Shaplin (part-time instructor of playwriting in the Department of Theater) performs in the world premiere of his latest play FREEDOM CLUB, a collaboration between his company The Riot Group and Philadelphia’s New Paradise Laboratories.

Performances at the Arts Bank, 601 S. Broad Street (corner of South Street).

September 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 (LiveArts Festival).

Pig Iron Theatre Company is presenting the world premiere of their latest production, CANKERBLOSSOM, directed by Dan Rothenberg ’95.

Performances at Christ Church Neighborhood House, 20 N. American Street (near 2nd & Market Streets).

September 4, 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (LiveArts Festival).

Dance faculty member and choreographer Jumatatu Poe ’04 is presenting the world premiere of his piece UNSTUCK on a double bill with choreographer Eun Jung Choi.

Performances at the Live Arts Studio, 919 N. 5th Street (at Poplar Street in Northern Liberties).

September 11, 12 (Live Arts Festival).

Green Chair Dance Group is performing in GRAVITY THEATER, a collaboration with InMovement Dance and Amanda Varone.  Green Chair Dance Group consists of Sarah Gladwin-Camp ’05, John Beauregard ’05, Greg Holt ’05, and Hannah de Keijzer ’06.

Performances at InMovement Studio, 737 S. 8th Street (South Philadelphia).

September 15, 16.

Greg Holt ’05 is performing in the world premiere of choreographer Brian Sanders’ SANCTUARY, presented by his company Junk.

Performances at Theater East at The Hub (SW corner of 5th Street and Fairmount Avenue in Northern Liberties).

September 3, 4, 5, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 (LiveArts Festival)

Additional information about these and the many other performances in the LiveArts-Fringe program this year can be found in hard copies of the festival guide that are available in the LPAC Lower Lobby (outside the LPAC Staff Office) or by going to www.livearts-fringe.org.

Tickets can be bought any time on line by going to the festival website and selecting “Shows”.  The festival box office will be open starting August 23 at The Hub (at the SW corner of 5th and Fairmount Streets) in Northern Liberties.

Theater Alums in Recent News

A record number of Swarthmore College alums have been nominated for the 2010 Barrymore Awards, the winners of which will be announced in Philadelphia on October 4, 2010 at a ceremony inside the Walnut Street Theatre.

Pig Iron Theatre Company’s Fringe show from 2009, WELCOME TO YUBA CITY, received a total of six nominations–a record for any production to date in the group’s history.  The acting ensemble and creative team for YUBA CITY included Dito van Reigersberg ’94 (actor), Sarah Sanford ’99 (actor), Kim Comer ’09 (master electrician), and Lang Performing Arts Center staff member Dave Todaro (assistant lighting designer).  WELCOME TO YUBA CITY enjoyed the largest audiences of any Pig Iron production at the Philadelphia Live Arts/Fringe Festival since 1997, and was also the best-attended show of the entire festival last September.  It was reviewed by Jason Zinoman in the NEW YORK TIMES, and the company hopes to revive the production for tours in the near future.

The nominations for YUBA CITY are:
Outstanding Overall Production of a Play, Outstanding Direction of a Play by Quinn Bauriedel ’94 (Quinn is also a part-time faculty in the Swarthmore Department of Theater), Outstanding Set Design by Mimi Lien, Outstanding Ensemble in a Play, Independence Foundation Award for Outstanding New Play (for the ensemble and playwright Deborah Stein ’99), and Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play by Charlotte Ford (a Bryn Mawr alum and recent participant in Swarthmore Project in Theater).

Sarah Sanford ’99 has also been nominated for Best Supporting Actress in THE HUNTER GATHERERS at Theatre Exile and The F. Otto Haas Award for an Emerging Philadelphia Theatre Artist.

You can read a full list of nominees on the Theatre Alliance website.

Also in the news, Pig Iron will also premiere a new work at Christ Church Neighborhood House as part of this year’s Philadelphia Live Arts Festival: CANKERBLOSSOM, very freely inspired by Shakespeare’s A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM.  For CANKERBLOSSOM, director Dan Rothenberg ’95 has teamed up with cartoonist and pioneering puppeteer artist Beth Nixon, whose fantastical cardboard creations work alongside stop motion animation, video projection, live music, and Pig Iron’s signature physical style to create this shadowy fairytale land.  For more information about the company and the show, check out their website http://www.pigiron.org/.