County Prep Dance instructor Heather Warfel Sandler is thrilled to announce the first annual professional dance company performance through County Prep's Choreographers in Residence Program (CHIRP). Through CHIRP, choreographers are awarded use of the 407 Theater for rehearsals and performance, in exchange for serving as a resident teaching artist throughout the semester. Students have the opportunity to study with the teaching artist via technique classes, viewing open rehearsals, working behind the scenes on the professional production, mentorship, and learning repertoire. Katelyn Halpern will set her work Build Up on 14 students for their annual spring concert. Additionally, the program makes professional modern dance available and accessible to HCST students and staff, and connects our school and students to the Jersey City community.
"Residencies are a common practice in college dance programs. Using that as a model, and as preparation for our students who will continue their dance training, I envisioned the CHIRP program. Knowing there is a large population of professional dancers right here in Jersey City made the program even more attainable and gratifying. My students and I are very grateful to Superintendent Frank Gargiulo, Principal Barbara Mendolla, and everyone who was instrumental in supporting this vision." -Heather Warfel Sandler
Fall 2017 CHIRP choreographer Katelyn Halpern commented, "The Choreographers In Residence Program (CHIRP) has been a fantastic experience in all directions. From deepening my community relationships to teaching in County Prep's dance program to enjoying creative support for my dance company, it has been simply wonderful. CHIRP made it possible for my company to create a brand new, full scale dance work, and mount it in one of the best theaters in Jersey City, plus enabling me to bring that creative energy to the bright, hardworking dance students at the high school. I know I'm gushing, but it's a win-win-win-everybody-wins program, and I'm so grateful for the experience."
Please support Katelyn Halpern & Dancers and the Choreographers in Residence Program by coming to the show!
Loose Heart | a new evening from Katelyn Halpern & Dancers
December 14-15 at 8:00pm
County Prep High School
525 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ; enter on Bright St.
Tickets $5-20 https://looseheart.
December 14-15 at 8:00pm
County Prep High School
525 Montgomery St., Jersey City, NJ; enter on Bright St.
Tickets $5-20 https://looseheart.
Loose Heart traces an inner landscape of longing. Lines of speech and dialogue weave through the dance, matching the movement in weight and abstraction. An overgrown green blanket shape-shifts from ground to nest to tent to net, softening a fall or binding a body. In a predominantly dark world, dancers offer the reassurance that the heart in question isn't broken; it's just loose.
Loose Heart is performed by Arianna Dunmire, Julia Galanski, and Myssi Robinson and features sound design by Elliot Cole.
It is the company's second major work.