Dancing the Chazen

(Photo by Brent Nicastro)

In Dancing the Chazen, choreographer and Vilas Research Professor of Dance Li Chiao-Ping, ten dancers, and guest artist Seán Curran will activate and articulate the size, weight, dimensions, properties, and materials of various spaces throughout the Chazen buildings. The performance is part of “7DaysDancing.”

LCPD Dancers: Constance Anderson, Alfonso Cervera, Kimi Evelyn, Charli Harris, Piper Morgan Hayes, Elisa Hildner, Dianne Kotsonis, Cassie Last, Li Chiao-Ping, Elisabeth Roskopf

Choreographer Li Chiao-Ping exhibited an early interest in architecture and design as a child. She felt an intuitive connection between her physical body and the natural and built environments around her and through which she moved. Chiao-Ping wants dance, the body in motion, to occupy space at the Chazen, even if temporarily. Dancing the Chazen will activate and articulate the size, weight, dimensions, properties, and materials of various spaces throughout the building in performances during the exhibition.

This work is made possible in part by the generous support and sponsorship of Altrusa International of Madison; Fund for Children administered by the Madison Community Foundation; Dane Arts with additional funds from the Endres Mfg. Company Foundation, the Evjue Foundation Inc., charitable arm of The Capital Times, the W. Jerome Frautschi Foundation Inc., and the Pleasant T. Rowland Foundation; Wisconsin Arts Board with funds from the State of Wisconsin and the National Endowment for the Arts; University of Wisconsin-Madison Dance Department, Office of the VCRGE with funding from the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation, and Vilas Trustees; and LCPD’s Circle of Friends.

Li Chiao-Ping, named by Dance magazine as one of “25 to watch,” makes work for the stage, screen, and other sites. She has choreographed for musical theater, opera, and ballet, in addition to concert dance, dance theater, and screen dance. Artistic Director of Li Chiao-Ping Dance, she is one of only two artists to ever receive the university’s Vilas Research Professorship. In addition to a grant from the MAP Fund, she has also received grants from the NEA and awards from the Asian Pacific Women’s Network, National Arts Association, and the Los Angeles Arts Council first prize awards for performance and choreography.