Welcome to Summer Stages 2011! from the directors

Fifteen years ago, Summer Stages Dance was launched at Concord Academy. Our goal was to create a rigorous training program for students of contemporary dance and a laboratory for choreographers to develop new work. Today, Summer Stages is one of the region’s most acclaimed summer festivals. The program has built an innovative curriculum, a distinguished roster of faculty and performing artists, increasingly accomplished alumni, and a loyal and growing audience.

This July we will bring together an extraordinary group of dance artists to teach, mentor and perform.  The intimate nature of our Workshop and our emphasis on participation in the creation of new work makes the Summer Stages experience unique.  The incomparable dance artists Dan Joyce, Jeff Kazin, David Parker, Keith Sabado, Risa Steinberg, Dan Wagoner, and Edisa Weeks will be in residence to teach and to create new work. This year we are celebrating the artistry and mentorship of Bill T. Jones with a remarkable group of visiting artists, all former members of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company: Arthur Aviles, Alexandra Beller, Sean Curran, Lawrence Goldhuber, Heidi Latsky, and Andrea E. Woods.  This special group of individuals will perform and teach during the festival.  In addition, Beller’s company, Alexandra Beller/Dances, with be in residence at Summer Stages.  The company’s new collaboration "other stories,” with sound artist Robert Poss, will premiere as part of our series, Co Lab:  Process + Performance, in partnership with the Institute of Contemporary Art/Boston. And, as we kick-off our 15th anniversary season,the feeling of celebration will be very much alive when the extraordinary Philadelphia-based hip-hop company, Illstyle & Peace Productions, founded and directed by Brandon “Peace” Albright, visits Stages Stages Dance.  We know this amazing 20-member company will thrill audiences and students alike on the stage and in the studio!  All these artists, from Albright to Wagoner, from Beller to Steinberg, make studying at Summer Stages Dance an unparalleled experience for Workshop participants. We think you’ll agree that our 2011 Workshop and Performance Series are not to be missed!  Please come join us and make this our most vital year ever of dance making!