After being delayed from 2019 due to building renovations and the COVID-19 pandemic, Boston Dance Theater and Sound Icon present the in-person world premiere of “New Dances for Goethe-Institut”, a site-specific work that takes place over the five floors of the historic headquarters of Goethe-Institut Boston. BDT founder and co-artistic director Jessie Jeanne Stinnett collaborates with Artistic Director of Sound Icon Ensemble Jeffrey Means to create the new work, accompanied by live music. Music selections are from famous German composers spanning Germany’s musical history.
The work was originally commissioned by the Goethe-Institut Boston in 2019 to coincide with the reopening of 170 Beacon St. following an extensiveintensive renovations, but was further delayed due to COVID-19. The piece will be performed live by BDT and Sound Icon at Goethe-Institut’s newly restored Back Bay building.
This commission both responds to, and draws the audience’s attention to, the obvious and understated elements of the historical building’s architecture through the techniques of improvisation, Dance Theater, and contemporary choreography. The work was made to inspire audiences to wander through the building and discover the building’s various spaces in a new way, through the illumination of live performance. The curated live music reflects the Goethe-Institut Boston’s mission to foster international cultural dialogue between Germany and New England offering platforms for exchange and connection.
Performance times:
Friday, April 1, 7:00-7:45 PM
Friday, April 1, 8:00-8:45 PM
Saturday, April 2, 7:00-7:45 PM
Saturday, April 2, 8:00-8:45 PM
Choreography: Jessie Jeanne Stinnett with the dancers
Music curated by Jeffrey Means & performed live by Sound Icon
Composers: Hildegard of Bingen, Isabela Mundry, Clara Schumann, Robert Schumann, Michael Praetorius, J.S. Bach, Karlheinz Stockhausen
Costume design & realization: Zane Kealey
Duration: 45 minutes
Performers: Isvel Bello, Cara Burke (Saturday only), Olivia Coombs, Khris Henry, Carley Lund, Henoch Spinola, Sarah Takash, Anelise Tatum (Friday only), Wesley Urbanczyk, Liz Walker
Commissioned by the Goethe-Institut Boston