#TorontoDance: Human Body Expression Toronto Premiere of Resonance Dance/Rock Hybrid September 26–28, 2019

From a media release:


#TorontoDance:
Human Body Expression Confronts the Collective Power
of Peaceful Protests in Toronto Premiere of Resonance
Dance/rock hybrid performance inspired by protests surrounding the impeachment of former South Korean president Park Geun-Hye
September 26–28, 2019 


Tickets From Only $15

Toronto, ON — Human Body Expression explores the quiet strength of peaceful revolution in Resonance, a compelling hybrid of contemporary dance and rock music, on stage September 26–28, 2019 at 8pm at Sts Cyril & Methody Macedonian-Bulgarian Eastern Orthodox Church. Directed and choreographed by the company’s award-winning Artistic Director Hanna Kiel, and featuring original music composed by Dora-nominated Greg Harrison, Resonance is an artistic response to the successful public protests demanding the impeachment of former South Korean President Park Geun-Hye. Following dramatic revelations surrounding influence peddling and corruption, this bold and provocative work probes the evolution of social outcry into direct action.
Image by Sam So
“I’ve always been interested in the ways that human beings propel themselves forward,” says Kiel. “Resonance is not about politics, but rather about recognizing the moments in our lives when significant, global change takes effect. I was profoundly moved by the power of the people to make real change with the successful 2016 South Korean impeachment protests — a turning point of evolution when everyone set aside their differences, working together with one voice to move the country forward — that still resonates across the world, especially in the current political climate.”

The universal language of live rock music will be harnessed to bring a palpable sense of urgency and passion to Resonance. The soundscape includes strong drum beats and electric guitars, spurring the audience into action and leveraging a sense of human connection. Joining composer Harrison, who has performed with Jeremy Dutcher and Cirque du Soleil, will be musicians Adam Campbell on drums, Andrew Beaudoin on guitar, and Roger Cournoyer on bass guitar.

Each dancer's individuality — demonstrated through style, background, gender — will be immediately apparent as the work commences, but as Resonance progresses, a unified collective will materialize. Comprised of 12 emerging professional artists, all under the age of 28, the ensemble includes Connor Mitton, Eleanor van Veen, Jake Poloz, Jake Ramos, J.t. Papandreos, Lonii Garnons-Williams, Martha Hart, Morgyn Aronyk-Schell, Peter Kelly, Roberto Soria, Sarah MacDonald, and Zsakira Del Co.

Resonance's staging within the highly unconventional space of a church will draw into sharp relief both the rock concert experience and allow the audience to truly perceive the impact of each other’s collective power. This poignant contrast will be reflected in Noah Feaver’s lighting design and Julia Y Kim’s costumes.

Dora-winner Hanna Kiel is from Seoul, South Korea, and moved to Vancouver in 1996. She has presented her work at 12 Minutes Max, PlanB Singles and solos Festival, Dancing on the Edge Festival, and Pulse at the Scotiabank Dance Centre in Vancouver.
Photo by Francesca Chudnoff
Resonance is A DanceWorks CoWorks Series Event.
Tickets from $15 at: BrownPaperTickets.com

About Human Body Expression (hbedance.com)
Founded by choreographer Hanna Kiel, Human Body Expression (HBE) strives to break the mold of traditional dance aesthetics to create hybrid movement forms and cultivate artistic individuality. HBE seeks to tell stories and explore narratives that pulse from the very heart of human feeling; that are touching, arousing, disturbing, exciting, and everything in between. HBE’s artists embody the raw and chaotic force of human emotions to impact audiences on a visceral level. Drawing on the ever-evolving distinctive personal dance style that Kiel has developed over more than two decades as a dance professional, her company aims to present technically strong and accessible choreography with high production values, inspiring audiences of all backgrounds to become more engaged with dance.

In 2019, HBE’s Chasing the Path won the Best Dance Work at the New Dance Festival in Daejeon Korea and in 2018, it won the Dora Mavor Moore Outstanding Choreography Award and was nominated in all five dance categories. In 2017, HBE’s Tangled won the Audience Choice Award at the dance: made in canada/fait au canada Festival.

Human Body Expression presents
Resonance
Dates/Time: September 26–28, 2019 at 8pm
Ticket Prices: $15–80
Venue: Sts Cyril & Methody Macedonian-Bulgarian
Eastern Orthodox Church
237 Sackville Street
Toronto, ON
Tickets and Info: BrownPaperTickets.com

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