*Post-Show Artist chat moderated by Kyle Scheurich
Duration: approximately 45 minutes, no intermission
PHOTOGRAPHY & VIDEOGRAPHY IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED DURING PERFORMANCES
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KAMUYOT By Ohad Naharin Created for Batsheva - The Young Ensemble (2003) Inspired by Mamootot and Moshe by Ohad Naharin
Performed by Charlotte Ballet Staged by Kyle Scheurich and Bret Easterling Costumes Design Alla Eizenberg Sound Design David (Dudi) Bell
Created by world renowned dancemaker Ohad Naharin and performed in Toronto by Charlotte Ballet under the direction of the company’s new Artistic Director Alejandro Cerrudo, KAMUYOT is a contemporary experience for all ages, developed with the vocabulary of Gaga. Naharin’s iconic movement language, Gaga is both innovative and ever evolving, characterized by a deeper connection to the body, freedom found through movement and a return to the feeling of pleasure.
For this unique presentation, audience members are invited to take a seat on the stage, surrounding the dancers, creating a shift in the dynamic between performer and audience. At the heart of the show stands a simple invitation – to dance. Breaking away from the traditional theatre hall, the show also liberates the audience. A hand’s reach from the dancers, over 50 minutes with no clear boundaries, connections are weaved between the dancers and the audience, formulating a language that seems like it has always been there. An inspiring and moving experience that allows the audience “to be with” dance and not only watch it.
For the entire family. Suitable for ages 6 and up.
Choreographer
Photo by Ilya Melnikov
Ohad Naharin is the House Choreographer of Batsheva Dance Company and creator of the Gaga movement language.
Naharin was born in 1952 in Mizra, Israel. His mother is a choreographer, dance teacher, and Feldenkrais instructor, and his father was an actor and psychologist. He joined Batsheva Dance Company in 1974 despite having little formal training. During his first year, guest choreographer Martha Graham invited him to join her own company in New York. Between 1975 and 1976, Naharin studied at the School of American Ballet, The Juilliard School, and with Maggie Black and David Howard. He then joined Maurice Béjart’s Ballet du XXe Siecle in Brussels for one season.
Naharin returned to New York in 1979 and made his choreographic debut at the Kazuko Hirabayshi studio the following year. From 1980 until 1990, Naharin presented works in New York and abroad, including pieces for Batsheva Dance Company, the Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company, and Nederlands Dans Theater. At the same time, he worked with his first wife, Mari Kajiwara, and a group of dancers in New York. Naharin and Kajiwara continued to work together until she died from cancer in 2001.
In 1990, Naharin was appointed Artistic Director of Batsheva Dance Company, and in the same year, he established the company’s junior division, Batsheva – the Young Ensemble. He has since created over thirty works for both companies. After almost thirty years of leading Batsheva, Naharin stepped down as Artistic Director in 2018, and continues to serve as the Company’s House Choreographer.
Naharin’s work has also been featured in several films. In his 2007 documentary,Out of Focus, Director Tomer Heymann filmed the process of restaging Decadance with Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet. And in 2015, the Heymann Brothers released their comprehensive documentary about Naharin,Mr. Gaga, to critical and audience acclaim.
A citizen of both Israel and the United States, Naharin currently lives in Israel with his wife, dancer and costume designer Eri Nakamura, and their daughter, Noga.
Performers
Cast for the following shows: Sep 26, 6:00 PM, Sep 27, 12:00 PM & 6:00 PM, Sep 28, 6:00 PM, Sep 29, 8:00 PM
Artistic Director: Alejandro Cerrudo Rehearsal Director: Ana Lopez Director of Artistic Operations: Yarina Conners Stage Manager: Olivia Ramos Technical Director: Paul Swanson Head of Wardrobe: Tatyana Yarborough Assistant Wardrobe: Maria Kofman Production Manager: Aaron Muhl Assistant Wardrobe: Maria Kofman Costume Shop Manager: Kerri Martinsen
Music: Yapoos, Takagi Masakatsu, Ogurusu norihide, Drummatic, Fonica, Yuzu Kako, Lou Reed, Bobby Freeman, Nakagawa Takashi, Isolated Audio Players, Roletta Secohan, Flower Companyz, L.V. Beethoven, Tsipi Fleicher, John Tavener, The Ventures, Pan Sonic, The Aqua Velvets, Cirrus, Roberto Pregadio-Claudia, Boss Phobie, Haim Laroz
Enhance Your Experience
In addition to our KAMUYOT performances we have free Gaga events around the city with Charlotte Ballet and New York-based certified Gaga instructor Kyle Scheurich to help provide a deeper understanding of Ohad Naharin's unique movement language. Explore these events:
Gaga For People Workshop With Kyle Scheurich Thursday Sep 28 6:00-7:00 PM TMU Theatre Open to everyone and anyone!
Gaga For Dancers Workshop With Kyle Scheurich Friday Sep 29 11:30 AM-12:45 PM Canada’s National Ballet School Hosted in partnership with Keith Moreno For the professional community
What is Gaga - Free Lunchtime Event Thursday Sep 28 12:00-1:00 PM The Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts Join Alejandro Cerrudo and Kyle Scheurich for an introduction to Ohad Naharin’s work and KAMUYOT. Co-hosted by the COC First come, first serve
FFDN Team
Leadership
Ilter Ibrahimof - Artistic Director
Aviva Fleising - General Manager
Melissa Forstner - Director of Advancement and Philanthropy
Lily Sutherland - Executive Producer
Milana Glumicic - Producer, Digital Programming
Melina Osorio - Finance Officer
Faith Buchanan - Education & Outreach Coordinator
Simon Rossiter - Director of Design
Barney Bayliss - Director of Production
Felicia Myronyk - Advancement Officer
Seasonal Staff
Julia Mak - Festival & Volunteer Coordinator
Bradley Langham - Box Office Manager
Zita Nyarady - Company Manager
Laura Philipps - Company Manager
Angela Xu - Festival Assistant
Ozzy Sert - Marketing Assistant
Oliver Pitschner - Digital Marketing Coordinator
Emma Haynes - International Presenters Program Assistant
Grace Johnson - Administrative Assistant
Year-Round Collaborators
Web Development & Graphic Design Team -Mouth Media
Publicity & Communications -Murray Patterson Marketing Group
Financial Services -Robert Gore and Associates
To read more about our team and their bios, please visit the Our Village page on the FFDN website.
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Fall For Dance North's Mission
FFDN is Toronto’s premier professional international dance festival that exists to break boundaries and remove barriers.
With pluralism and affordability at its core, FFDN celebrates, nurtures and amplifies established and emerging Canadian dance artists, creates global connections, and inspires future audiences to sustain the artform.