American Repertory Ensemble | Press & News

Justin's "Fray" a big hit at Big Range

2008-06-17T21:56:00.005-05:00

ARE's Artistic Director David Justin and his newest work, Fray, made quite an impression on Jeanne Claire van Ryzin, Austin American-Statesman's arts critic and columnist.

Over the weekend of June 13-15, ARE participated in Austin's Big Range Dance Festival at the Off Center. The premier of Justin's innovative one-cello-one-dancer-plus-media work, Fray, received this praise:

Two of the dancemakers - David Justin and Sharon Marroquin - delivered new work really shined, with each presenting short dances of characterized by great nuance, technical finesse and creative freshness.

Just back from a sojourn to Europe where he presented at the "40th International Choreographers' Showcase," Justin - whose American Repertory Ensemble presents its new program July 25-27 - gave his new piece "Fray" its Austin debut.

With cellist Leanne Zacharias barefoot, black-clad and on a short wooden platform, dancer Rosalyn Nasky executed quick precise ballet moves alternating with striking poses. A second short platform with a video monitor slowly rolled around the stage, the monitor flickering images that. "Fray" was pure, intelligent abstraction of music, dance form and video technique all cogently and beautifully put together.

Don't fret if you missed Fray at Big Range. You can see it this July 25-27 in Passion at Play.

ARE wins "Short Dance Work" Austin Critics Table Award

2008-06-10T21:34:00.008-05:00

The 2007-2008 Austin Critics Table Award showcase took place Monday, June 2 at the Cap City Comedy Club. American Repertory Ensemble was there along with Austin's many talented artists.

ARE received the award for "Short Dance Work" for Soudain l'hiver dernier, the stunning duet by choreographer James Kudelka in which dancers David Justin and Ramon Thielen performed as part of the January 2008 performance season, Winter's Tryst.

Apart from the regular award categories, ARE Artistic Director David Justin received a special citation for the "Control Shift Award" for creating seamless, humorous and poignant transitions within the performance.

The night was spirited and sincere and ARE congratulates all Austin Critics Table award winners for contributing so much to Austin's art scene.

David Justin premieres work at 40th International Choreographers' Showcase

2008-06-05T17:55:00.000-05:00

Artistic Director and Choreographer of ARE, David Justin, traveled to Montenegro May 28 & 29 with dancer Rosalyn Nasky to attend the 40th International Choreographers' Showcase hosted by Dance Forms Productions. He premiered his newest work at the Montenegrin National Theatre in Podgorica.

The piece incorporates one dancer, one cello, and an instrument microphone that produces real time imagery of the performance based on the tone, timbre, volume, octave, tempo and rhythm complexity of the music.

...an exploration of internal dialogues...a collaboration of artistic voices...

We asked David about his recent trip and this is what he said:

I have just arrived back in the states after a week in Montenegro premiering a new work at the National Theatre there. The shows went very well. Rosalyn Nasky (dancer) grew into my choreography and brought a new sense of urgency and inner dialogue to each performance. I am very pleased and so were the presenters and public.

I was struck by a very dedicated group of Montenegrins and thier efforts to nurture the cultural identity of Montenegro. This is a country that has only recently gained independence (2 years ago) and is in a feverish state of self defining. Often the arts get left behind economic growth in this situation - but I met a group of people that aim to ensure Montenegro has a cultural identity second to none which will help to define it's character and support the economic growth. Inspiring, truly. I hope to be able to go back with the full company and make a positive contribution to their efforts.

This same piece will be premiered in Austin at Spank Dance Company's Big Range Dance Festival in June. For more information, visit ARE's upcoming performances web page.

ARE receives 15 Austin Critics Table nominations in 8 categories for 2007-2008

2008-05-24T17:27:00.005-05:00

ARE is proud to announce that we have received 15 nominations in eight categories from the Austin Critics Table for 2007-2008. We'll find out who wins on June 2 at The Austin Critics Table Award Ceremony.

Lighting Design
Michelle Habeck, "Winter Tryst"

Short Work
"Ascendant (sextet in memory of Aaron Copland)," Lingo
"Helluva Day," Hot September Flurries: Night of Group Works
"No Time Jazz," Lingo
"Soudain L'Hiver Dernier," Winter Tryst

Choreographer
David Justin, "Ascendant (sextet in memory of Aaron Copland)"/"Helluva Day"

Duets
David Justin and Ramon Thielen, "Soudain L'Hiver Dernier"
John Welker and Christine Winkler, "Already Dusk"

Chamber Performance
Douglas: Ascendant (sextet in memory of Aaron Copland), American Repertory Ensemble

Original Composition/Score
"Ascendant (sextet in memory of Aaron Copland)," Dave Douglas
"Hot, Crazy, Fun.," Rob Deemer

Instrumentalist
Reuben Allred, Deemer: "Hot, Crazy, Fun."
Graeme Francis, J.S. Bach: Sarabande from the Partita No. 2 in D minor
Alice Wang, Deemer: "Memoirs"

Body of Work/Season
American Repertory Ensemble

Visit Austin360.com for a complete list of Austin Critics Table Nominations

Catch some classical and jazz percussion this Wednesday

2008-01-28T11:44:00.000-06:00

ARE percussionist Graeme Francis will give a Faculty Recital this Wednesday, January 30 at UT San Antonio's Music Department.

Graeme has crafted a cool program of classical and contemporary works by Oswaldo Golijov, Bach & Lou Harrison in the first half and new and standard jazz tunes by the Graeme Francis Trio in the second half.

If you caught ARE's latest performance, Winter's Tryst, you'll remember Graeme's stunningly accurate rendition of J.S. Bach's Sarabande from Partita No.2 in D minor, originally a violin solo that he has transcribed for marimba. See/hear it for free again, or for the first time this Wednesday!

Here are the details:

Graeme Francis
Faculty Recital - Percussion
UT San Antonio 1604 Campus, Department of Music
Recital Hall
Wednesday, January 30, 2008 7:30 pm.
FREE

Winter's Tryst, a "brilliant, jewel-like" show

2008-01-22T16:52:00.000-06:00

Austin American-Statesman arts critic Jeanne Claire van Ryzin has this to say about American Repertory Ensemble's most recent performance Winter's Tryst:

Perhaps it's the clever mix of live chamber music and dance with each taking turns stepping to center stage. Or maybe it's the impressive range of artistic emotion that's compressed into small-scale works.
Whatever. American Repertory Ensemble has mastered the art of smartly packaging modern classical ballet and music into brilliant, jewel-like shows.

Read the full, exhilarating review at Austin360's blog, "Seeing Things."

Big thanks to our January Performance Season sponsors:
-City of Austin - Cultural Arts Division
-Texas Commission on the Arts
-The University of Texas at Austin College of Fine Arts
-MosterWynne
-Cox & Kor Wealth Management
-Panera Bread Co.
-Sweet Leaf Tea
-Mandarin Flower Co.

Three questions with David Justin

2008-01-16T18:17:00.000-06:00

Austin American-Statesman arts writer Jeanne Claire van Ryzin just published her recent interview with ARE Artistic Director David Justin online. In this, David gives everyone a "sneak preview" of a few of the pieces you will see on the Winter's Tryst program and insight on what it's like being director, choreographer AND dancer this time!

Check it out on Austin360.com: "Three questions with David Justin"
Or pick up a copy of Thursday's (1/17) Statesman and it'll be in the XL section.

David Justin in this week's "Culture Flash!"

2008-01-11T13:20:00.002-06:00

ARE's Artistic Director David Justin and his new bundle of joy is mentioned in this week's Austin Chronicle "Culture Flash!"

Austin Chronicle arts writer Robert Faires writes:

David Justin, artistic director of American Repertory Ensemble and head of the dance program in the UT Department of Theatre & Dance, is a new dad. He and wife Grace Holmes welcomed Evelyn Rain Holmes into the world on Dec. 8. Baby, mother, and father are all reportedly doing well, but Justin is having to juggle his new parental duties with the demands of ARE's next production, Winter's Tryst, set for Jan. 18 & 19 at the McCullough Theatre on the UT campus. He's choreographing two works and dancing in a pas de deux by James Kudelka. For more information, visit www.americanrepensemble.org.

That's right, folks. Evelyn Rain Holmes is the newest addition to the ARE family. If you come to Winter's Tryst next weekend, you'll probably get to meet her in the McCullough Theatre Lobby. You'll get pure beauty both inside and outside the theatre this time.

Congrats to our Ticket Winners!

2008-01-06T19:36:00.000-06:00

Back in October, ARE attended the Texas Conference for Women and what a fabulous time we had. Every time we attend an event as a vendor we have a sign-up to be randomly selected to win a pair of tickets to our next performance.

These smart women signed up and won!

-Sandy Armour
-Beth Jones
-Layde Philips
-Carolyn J. Stalling

Congratulations!

ARE makes Top 10 of 2007!

2008-01-05T11:57:00.000-06:00

We are thrilled to announce that American Repertory Ensemble's 2007 performance seasons, "Expressions" and "LINGO", have been named one of the Top 10 Dance and Classical Music Events of 2007 by the Austin Chronicle .

ARE's debut summer performance season "Dialogues" was named a "Top 10" of 2006!

Thank you Austin arts patrons! We love you!

Beat the Deadline on IRA Charity Tax Break

2007-12-19T20:47:00.000-06:00

by Glenn Ruffenach
The Wall Street Journal
Sunday, September 30, 2007

Getting ready to take a required annual withdrawal from your IRA? You have three months left to take advantage of a nice tax break from Uncle Sam involving charitable donations.

The Pension Protection Act of 2006 allows older owners of individual retirement accounts to make tax-free distributions directly to a charity. The catch: This provision for a "qualified charitable distribution" or QCD expires Dec. 31.

Here's a look at the rules and how you can benefit:

To be eligible, you must be at least 70 1/2 years old on the date the money is transferred. You are allowed to donate as much as $100,000 to a charity (or charities).

You won't be taxed on the distribution, and the money you donate counts toward the required minimum distribution that IRA holders in this age group must withdraw from their accounts each year.

The distribution must be made to a "qualified" non-profit group; a donor-advised fund, for instance, doesn't count. The money must come from an IRA; 401(k)s and SIMPLE and SEP plans aren't eligible.

Your IRA custodian must send the funds directly to the charity. (You can't withdraw the money yourself and write a check.) You can't take a tax deduction for the donation--but again, you won't be taxed on the withdrawal.

How to benefit? Let's say you want to donate $2000 to your church, and you normally don't itemize your deductions. That means you wouldn't be able to deduct the gift on your tax return. Let's also assume that you are required to withdraw $8,000 from your IRA before year end.
With a QCD, you could direct your IRA custodian to send $2,000 to your church. That money would count toward your required minimum distribution for the year--and you would end up reporting only $6,000 in IRA distributions (instead of $8,000) on your tax return.

For people with higher incomes who do itemize deductions, a QCD could help keep your adjusted gross income below the level where the value of your deductions would be reduced.

One additional note: If you plan to make a QCD, check the possible impact on your state tax return. In some states, you might be better off taking an IRA distribution and writing a check to a charity, rather than making a qualified charitable distribution.

Call for Interns and Volunteers!

2007-12-19T20:36:00.000-06:00

ARE is looking for enthusiastic arts lovers who want to make a difference within a growing non-profit performing arts company. We are taking applications for interns for the Spring 2008 semester. See below for the full internship description and feel free to email Director of Eduction and Outreach Grace Holmes at grace@americanrepensemble.org for more information.

As always, we have regular volunteer opportunities surrounding our performance seasons and educational events that take place throughout the year. If you'd like to volunteer with ARE, let us know!

POSITION: Intern

START DATE: Immediately END DATE: Indefinite

JOB DESCRIPTION: American Repertory Ensemble is offering students interested in dance, music, and/or arts administration a chance to help a fast-growing performing arts company in Austin.

Responsibilities may include: managing donor/patron database, event-planning, grant research, community and public relations, and basic administrative tasks. We will tailor the internship based on your interests and strengths. You will report to Grace Holmes, Director of Education.

Students with graphic design and/or web publishing experience are highly encouraged to apply.

Company Profile: The mission of American Repertory Ensemble is to celebrate dance, music, and life through innovative performance. American Repertory Ensemble seeks to enrich these art forms and their constituent audiences by expanding perceived boundaries of dance and music and by generating opportunities for cultural and artistic exchanges through creative, educational and performance forums. For more information, visit our website at: www.americanrepensemble.org

TIME COMMITMENT: 12-15 hrs/wk

JOB LOCATION: 4603 Charles Avenue, Austin, TX 78746 and work from home

QUALIFICATIONS: Proficient in Microsoft Office products, primarily Word and Excel. Detail-oriented, motivated, positive attitude, and a willingness to learn. Experience in graphic design and website content management a plus. Excellent phone etiquette and communication skills. Must have valid drivers license and transportation.

BENEFITS: Though this is an unpaid internship, this is an excellent opportunity to build essential marketing and communication skills and gain a first-hand understanding of nonprofit business administration and strategy. Working for ARE will provide networking opportunities with the Board, donors, and community leaders, a chance to attend workshops, and will provide potential employment opportunities. Finally, you will have the opportunity to attend ARE’s performances for free and meet the dancers and musicians involved.

HOW TO APPLY:

Interested candidates should email resume and names/contact information of three references to grace@americanrepensemble.org. Apply today!

Winter's Tryst Black Tie Dinner and Performance Tickets on sale now!

2007-12-09T19:48:00.000-06:00

Tickets are now on sale for American Repertory Ensemble's Winter's Tryst January 2008 performance season and Black Tie Dinner fundraising event.

Purchase your tickets in advance via a secure PayPal transaction at ARE's website.

Winter's Tryst performance tickets may also be purchased at the door.

If you have any questions, feel free to call ARE at (512) 762-4125 or email info@americanrepensemble.org.

David Justin sets work on dancers in NYC

2007-11-06T21:45:00.000-06:00

David Justin will be in New York City November 8 - 15 to work on American Repertory Ensemble's upcoming concert, Winter's Tryst.

While in NY, David, along with dancer Ramon Thielen (former principal with Dance Theatre of Harlem), will work on James Kudelka's 'Soudain, l'hiver dernier'; a duet for two men that speaks to love, lust, patience and dignity. Deborah Jowitt of the Village Voice calls this piece 'extremely moving' with 'famously heart-penetrating music.' David will also be setting his dark and comic love scene 'Imagine That' on Thielen and Laura Feig (Tharp's Movin' Out, Lead).

Performances will be in Austin TX, Jan 18 and 19, and Mazatlan Mexico Jan 25. See ARE's Upcoming Events for details.

Study shows nonprofit arts have significant national impact

2007-10-23T11:39:00.000-05:00

A report just in from Americans for the Arts Arts Action News:

Americans for the Arts this year released Arts & Economic Prosperity III: The Economic Impact of Nonprofit Arts and Culture Organizations and Their Audiences, which documents the key role played by the nonprofit arts and culture industry in strengthening our nation's economy. This study demonstrates that the nonprofit arts and culture industry is an economic driver in communities—a growth industry that supports jobs, generates government revenue, and is the cornerstone of tourism. The study is the most comprehensive study of the nonprofit arts and culture industry ever conducted and was administered in 156 communities, representing all 50 states and 227 congressional districts.

The study shows that the nonprofit arts have a significant national impact, generating the following:

5.7 million full-time equivalent jobs
$166.2 billion in annual economic activity
$7.9 billion in local government tax revenues
$9.1 billion in state government tax revenues
$12.6 billion in federal income tax revenues

For more information, visit the Americans for the Arts website.

Artistic Director of Music steps down, ARE moves forward

2007-10-22T18:50:00.001-05:00

Dear Friends,

What is this spark of inspiration we seek? Does the act of defining 'it' make it slip through our hands? You'll know it when you see it, or hear it. Infuriatingly vague. Irrefutably precise. That is the nature of many creative processes. There must be a vision for these processes to germinate, take seed and root. My vision for ARE has always been one of music and dance plaited together, each individually beautiful, together magically transcendental. Join me at Winter's Tryst to experience the exceptional.

Things at ARE are in motion. The company is going through an evolution. Rob Deemer has taken the reins at his post as Chair of the Composition Department at SUNY Fredonia, NY. The full measure of that position is very demanding and so Rob must focus his attention there. To that end he will step down as Artistic Director of Music. Before this happens though, he has made sure that ARE is in good musical hands for this January's concert by engaging 6 exceptional artists. I have enjoyed working with Rob in pursuit of this vision for ARE and know our paths will cross again.

Winter's Tryst, January 18th and 19th at the McCullough Theatre is going to be an exciting, deep and rich performance. The theme of the evening is people coming together and, on occasion, moving apart. I will present a work to Liszt piano solo about the disguises we wear in public, while secretly hoping to be discovered and seen as ourselves by love. We'll have the smoky sounds of Kurt Weill in a pas de deux (duet) by choreographer Christopher Wheeldon. And choreographer James Kudelka has given us permission to perform his 'Soudain l'hiver dernier'. His only caveat was that I perform in the work. It is a duet (pas de deux) for two men that speaks to love, lust, patience and dignity. Deborah Jowitt of the Village Voice, NY calls this piece 'extremely moving' with 'famously heart-penetrating music.'

And there are many other surprises on the program. As always with an ARE concert, you can expect to move through a full range of the emotional roller coaster.

I look forward to seeing you there!

Warm regards,

David Justin, Artistic Director

Helluva Day, new piece by David Justin premieres this weekend!

2007-09-20T18:37:00.000-05:00

Hello Friends,

Several of you have asked about my upcoming new short work Helluva Day.

I was commissioned to make this work for the Curtain Call Dance Festival in
Dallas the weekend of September 29 and 30.

There is, however, an opportunity for you to see the work this weekend in
Austin as it is being previewed at Hot September Flurries, September 21- 23.
As to rumors that I am performing in the work myself, I can neither deny nor
confirm, but only say, I am not in the shape I used to be......

Please Join us for an evening of modern dance at the Blue Theatre.

EVENT: Hot September Flurries - A Modern Dance event
Helluva Day - Choreography by David Justin
WHERE: Blue Theatre, 916 Springdale Ave. (link with map -
http://www.refractionarts.org/?q=node/3)
WHEN: Sep 21 and 22 @ 8pm, Sep 23 @ 2pm
Tickets: $10 cash or check at the door

Cheers,
David

A great review of LINGO in the Austin Chronicle

2007-08-07T12:10:00.000-05:00

August 3, 2007

by Michael Kellerman

Lingo

McCullough Theatre, July 27

After the final notes of Lingo, Rob Deemer and David Justin, co-artistic directors of American Repertory Ensemble, delighted the audience with a spirited, tangential conversation about their collaboration. The two alluded to the essence of their artistic spark: How do music and dance interrelate? And further, how can they?

Read the full review on the Austin Chronicle's website!

ARE on KUT's Aielli Unleashed podcast!

2007-07-30T17:13:00.000-05:00

Rob Deemer, David Justin, and musicians Michelle Schumann, Ben Allred, Sara Nelson, and Alice Wang met with KUT 90.5 FM's John Aielli on Monday, July 16 to talk about upcoming performance LINGO and give listeners a preview of a few musical numbers in the show.

Visit KUT's website to see photos and hear the full studio recording.

Read the Austin American-Statesman's fantastic preview of LINGO

2007-07-15T16:07:00.000-05:00

Read the article here.

The Balanchine Trust gives permission to ARE to perform the famous Duo Concertant

2007-07-10T18:39:00.000-05:00

ARE has been awarded the opportunity to present Duo Concertant! This ballet is highly coveted and only select companies are allowed to perform it under tight scrutiny of the George Balanchine Trust and Kay Mazzo, Balanchine’s muse on whom this piece was created. We are thrilled to have been chosen for this unique opportunity. Even better, veteran ARE dancers Kathi Martuza and Artur Sultanov are returning to Austin to perform Duo.

Why is the Balanchine Trust so strict about this?

The Balanchine Trust is strict about maintaining choreographic integrity, so they require specific dancers (who have been coached in Balanchine technique specifically for the piece), specific rehearsal masters, and they check things such as the technical capability of the theater and crew, stage size and performance venue ethos. They often require someone who knows the ballet to travel to do final viewings/rehearsals and to see the show. They have the right to pull the ballet for any reason at any time. Fees are paid to the person who owns the ballet. Often Balanchine gave the rights of his ballets to the ballerinas on whom they were made, which is why Kay Mazzo also has a say in when and where it is performed and who performs Duo.

The Balanchine Trust has taken a leap of faith in allowing ARE to perform this ballet, as they do not know the company. They do, however, know Kathi and Artur, which is a bonus for ARE, and Christopher Stowell rehearsed Kathi and Artur on this piece specifically at Oregon Ballet Theatre, which also helps. Typically the only companies that perform Duo are major companies or those with strong connections to New York City Ballet and the Balanchine dynasty. That means that very few small companies, if any other than ARE, are allowed to perform it. ARE is very lucky that we have been allowed to include Duo Concertant in its program.

Rob Deemer joins the faculty of SUNY-Fredonia, Fall 2007

2007-06-20T18:42:00.000-05:00

Artistic Director of Music and composer Rob Deemer has accepted the offer of a full-time tenure-track professorship as Composition Chair at SUNY-Fredonia, to begin this fall of 2007.