Visage II
New “Black Box” Dance Theater Premieres in Santa Ynez VISAGE II
The Daughter of Zion Dance Company since its inception in 2002 has been based
in the Valley and now has a studio/performance space called “Studio DoZ” in
Santa
Ynez. In collaboration with DramaDogs, a Santa Barbara-based theater company,
DoZ will introduce a new performance entitled VISAGE II inside the Santa Ynez
Valley’s first and only black box theater. All previous performances
have been in
Santa Barbara.
This four-show engagement of “VISAGE II” is a multi-disciplinary dance theater performance, incorporating low-flying aerial work, innovative theater and a unique steel set designed by Robert Houghtaling of Los Olivos.
The company will reprise “HALLELUJAH”, back by popular demand from the original Visage performance which debuted in 2006 at Santa Barbara’s Center Stage Theater.
“We are excited to provide theater-goers with a new venue and innovative performance,” said Rina van de Kamp, choreographer and dancer. “The Valley is hungry for something different in their own backyard and not needing to go to Los Angeles for it. This is an opportunity to see performers push into new dimensions, right here in the Valley.”
Later in the month of May, as a means of cultural exchange, the company will be going for a week of teaching workshops and performance in Naoussa, Paros, Greece. In June the company will be part of the 35th International Choreographers Showcase in Guatamala City, Guatamala.
This is a collaborative process; not only between Daughter of Zion Dance Company and DramaDogs, a Theater Company but also with the sculptor, metal worker, lighting designer, and stage managers. We are thrilled to show this work.
The title “VISAGE” relates to how the work looks to each person in the audience. Because of the set, the view, or appearance will be different to each person. This is also true of the movement within and around the set.
The idea for the set came from a desire to take the show to theaters unequipped to handle suspension work. Thus the apparatus was born. Sculptor Robert Houghtaling and metal fabricator Ron Yeo have designed and built this beautiful piece of art.
Based on the “grid” paintings of Piet Mondrian, this 8 foot tall “room” is constructed completely of steel and measures 12 feet by 12 feet. It weighs over 1,100 pounds, yet can be assembled or disassembled in less than 30 minutes by the three dancers and fits into it’s own 4’ X 8’ X 2’ crate.
