Ben Sota and Jil Stifel present the hybrid dance event ‘WaywardLand’

By Steve Sucato There are journeys in life, and then there are journeys of being. Jil Stifel and Ben Sota’s new work,WaywardLand, explores the idea that we’re on a journey in our human evolution. The 55-muinute abstract work combines circus, dance and physical theater, says Sota, 34, artistic director of the Zany Umbrella Circus.WaywardLand, part of The New Hazlett Theater’s Community Supported Art Performance Series, … Continue reading Ben Sota and Jil Stifel present the hybrid dance event ‘WaywardLand’

Seventh edition of LightLab performance series to focus on dance

By Steve Sucato The seventh edition of the LightLab performance series takes place Sept. 27 at Carnegie Mellon University’s Miller Gallery. The series, co-curated by musician David Bernabo and dancer/choreographer Taylor Knight, fosters what Bernabo calls “more progressive dance, music, film and performance art pieces.”This 45-minute all-dance edition, part of the 2014 Pittsburgh Biennial, includes dancer/choreographer Jil Stifel’s new work-in-progress solo “my dna,” from her upcoming evening-length … Continue reading Seventh edition of LightLab performance series to focus on dance

Predation, victimization, art and rebirth in Mark Conway Thompson’s ‘Kimono’

By Steve Sucato Predation is a theme that movement artist Mark Conway Thompson says he has been returning to in his works since 2007. “That has a lot to do with what I think is wrong with the world today,” says Thompson. The domestic-violence case of former Baltimore Ravens running back Ray Rice is just one example now in the headlines. Such episodes, along with … Continue reading Predation, victimization, art and rebirth in Mark Conway Thompson’s ‘Kimono’

Maree ReMalia’s ‘The Ubiquitous Mass of Us’ explores how we take up space

By Steve Sucato Outer space may be the final frontier, but it is the space we humans occupy on Earth that has inspired countless choreographers and their works. The latest to address that subject is choreographer Maree ReMalia, whose The Ubiquitous Mass of Us premieres June 14 as part of the New Hazlett Theater’s Community Supported Art performance series. ReMalia — who also performs with the Staycee … Continue reading Maree ReMalia’s ‘The Ubiquitous Mass of Us’ explores how we take up space