Global Warming, Stress Relief, a Hot Bath: The Works
by Benjamin Sutton
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- Carol Rosegg
- Gen Hashimoto, Mariana Cardena, Abdul Latif, Susanna Bozzetti in Walk it Off
Jennifer Muller, Artistic Director and choreographer for Jennifer Muller/The Works dance company, will be premiering three new pieces tonight when the company's 35th anniversary season opens at the Joyce Theater in Chelsea. Recently we had the opportunity to ask her about the show, what else she has in the pipelines and what she would do if she weren't a choreographer.
The L: What projects are you currently working on?
Jennifer Muller: My company, Jennifer Muller/The Works is presenting our 35th Anniversary Season at The Joyce Theater. 35 – that’s a major accomplishment. We are at The Joyce for a week of performances from June 9th to the 14th. I have created three world premieres: Bench, inspired by the Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth, a multi-media production commissioned by The Joyce as part of their 25 @ 25 Initiative; Tangle, set to the incredible music of Joni Mitchell and Walk it Off, a romp about how to relieve stress. The revival of the season is a piece that was ground-breaking when it was created called Tub performed with a bathtub filled with water on stage.
What long-term ideas and projects do you hope to develop in the months and years ahead?
I am working on a full evening piece that I am very excited about. Confidential at the moment. There are two additional projects in view. A piece with a motion capture technology incorporated in live performance and a film using dance as the emotional element.
What’s the best show you’ve seen recently? What did you like about it?
One of my dancers Rosie Lani Fiedelman is in the show, In The Heights. I loved the show. It is fresh and very original. The cast is fantastic and the heart of the piece is contagious.
What has been your most positive experience working in the arts in New York City?
I am actually going to say that it is working with my dancers for the last 35 years. I am been continually blessed with a dedicated artists in the company. They have become my family.
What’s your favorite New York City venue to work in? What do you like about it?
The Joyce Theater is a wonderful theater. It has become the pre-eminent theater for contemporary dance. Every seat in the house has a good view. The stage is large but retains an intimacy with the audience.
If, for whatever reason, you could no longer work in theater, what would you do?
I imagine that I will be working in dance until I drop – literally. I have created dance pieces for which I have written dialogue. Some could be performed as stand-alone plays. At some point, I would like to have the time to do more writing.
If you had an opportunity to work in any other sector of the arts, what would it be? Why?
I have always been half-theater. You can see it in my work. I have had the opportunity to work on theatrical production. In fact, I am choreography part of an opera next fall for New York City Opera. It all comes together in my mind because it is all forms of communication.
Performances of the 35th Anniversary Season of Jennifer Muller/The Works continue at the Joyce Theater through June 14.
The L: What projects are you currently working on?
Jennifer Muller: My company, Jennifer Muller/The Works is presenting our 35th Anniversary Season at The Joyce Theater. 35 – that’s a major accomplishment. We are at The Joyce for a week of performances from June 9th to the 14th. I have created three world premieres: Bench, inspired by the Al Gore’s Inconvenient Truth, a multi-media production commissioned by The Joyce as part of their 25 @ 25 Initiative; Tangle, set to the incredible music of Joni Mitchell and Walk it Off, a romp about how to relieve stress. The revival of the season is a piece that was ground-breaking when it was created called Tub performed with a bathtub filled with water on stage.
What long-term ideas and projects do you hope to develop in the months and years ahead?
I am working on a full evening piece that I am very excited about. Confidential at the moment. There are two additional projects in view. A piece with a motion capture technology incorporated in live performance and a film using dance as the emotional element.
What’s the best show you’ve seen recently? What did you like about it?
One of my dancers Rosie Lani Fiedelman is in the show, In The Heights. I loved the show. It is fresh and very original. The cast is fantastic and the heart of the piece is contagious.
What has been your most positive experience working in the arts in New York City?
I am actually going to say that it is working with my dancers for the last 35 years. I am been continually blessed with a dedicated artists in the company. They have become my family.
What’s your favorite New York City venue to work in? What do you like about it?
The Joyce Theater is a wonderful theater. It has become the pre-eminent theater for contemporary dance. Every seat in the house has a good view. The stage is large but retains an intimacy with the audience.
If, for whatever reason, you could no longer work in theater, what would you do?
I imagine that I will be working in dance until I drop – literally. I have created dance pieces for which I have written dialogue. Some could be performed as stand-alone plays. At some point, I would like to have the time to do more writing.
If you had an opportunity to work in any other sector of the arts, what would it be? Why?
I have always been half-theater. You can see it in my work. I have had the opportunity to work on theatrical production. In fact, I am choreography part of an opera next fall for New York City Opera. It all comes together in my mind because it is all forms of communication.
Performances of the 35th Anniversary Season of Jennifer Muller/The Works continue at the Joyce Theater through June 14.
Related Locations
-
The Joyce Theater
- 175 Eighth Ave., at 19th St (map)
- Chelsea
- 212-242-0800
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