“emotionally hard-hitting”
--Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2011
--Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, 2011
COMPANY HISTORY
Shana Simmons Dance (SSD) was founded in 2009 by Artistic Director Shana Simmons to create unique and engaging contemporary dance. Since its founding, Simmons has used dance as a means to express other people’s opinions as well as her own: to interpret and create. She takes inspiration from the immediate world in which we are living, and her choreographic expressions are created from the ways in which our society is changing, the need for intimate connections to people and objects, and providing the viewer a unique perspective, if not participatory action. The result for the viewer is an emotional reaction or a thought process about the work. SSD projects aim to draw audiences into modern dance in new and creative ways and highlight current societal topics for project based work.
SSD began its project history in 2009, following Simmons’ graduation from LABAN in London, England. Their first collaboration was with Artmongers, an artistic company focusing on community murals and led by Patricio Forester. The company’s first two projects involved a site specific Tea Party for the local Deptford community, next to Greenwich, and a Hospital Project for the newly revamped children’s hospital wing at St Thomas’s Hospital, located in London proper. Both performance events utilized the sites in creative and entertaining ways, engaging the audience into the performance and encouraging dance as an accessible and fun form of expression. The goals of both of these performances were to bring new life into places that otherwise seem desolate or scary.
Since their relocation to Pittsburgh, PA, SSD has produced three major productions through the support of the Heinz Small Arts Initiative. Relative Positions (2012) was a building take over involving over twenty artists who performed/presented their works in site specific locations throughout. Over 250+ attendees were documented and it boasted “Pittsburgh as a vibrant arts scene.” Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post Gazette. PASSENGER (2014) honored the hundred year anniversary of the extinction of the passenger pigeon, once the most numerous bird in North America. Presented at the National Aviary, five dancers swept, leapt, and careened through space, transforming the center of the aviary into a feathered nest of movement. Objective I (2015) was a collaboration with NYC based company, The Moving Architects, experimenting with editing in dance. Based on an article written by Judith Mackrell, both choreographers created and edited each other’s work. Presented as a two step project, Objective I was presented in both NYC and Pittsburgh. Discussions ensued with audiences; topics of artistic voice, entertainment value, and the true nature of a choreographic work were debated.
Along with these three productions, Artistic Director, Shana Simmons, has created more than twelve choreographic pieces since 2009. Her works have been seen in London, Belgium, New York City, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. SSD also has a long standing collaborative relationship with The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, producing four separate works to date.
SSD strives to maintain excellence in choreographic quality, create experiences for audiences highlighting current topics, and views performance as an exchange between audience member and performer.
SSD began its project history in 2009, following Simmons’ graduation from LABAN in London, England. Their first collaboration was with Artmongers, an artistic company focusing on community murals and led by Patricio Forester. The company’s first two projects involved a site specific Tea Party for the local Deptford community, next to Greenwich, and a Hospital Project for the newly revamped children’s hospital wing at St Thomas’s Hospital, located in London proper. Both performance events utilized the sites in creative and entertaining ways, engaging the audience into the performance and encouraging dance as an accessible and fun form of expression. The goals of both of these performances were to bring new life into places that otherwise seem desolate or scary.
Since their relocation to Pittsburgh, PA, SSD has produced three major productions through the support of the Heinz Small Arts Initiative. Relative Positions (2012) was a building take over involving over twenty artists who performed/presented their works in site specific locations throughout. Over 250+ attendees were documented and it boasted “Pittsburgh as a vibrant arts scene.” Jane Vranish, Pittsburgh Post Gazette. PASSENGER (2014) honored the hundred year anniversary of the extinction of the passenger pigeon, once the most numerous bird in North America. Presented at the National Aviary, five dancers swept, leapt, and careened through space, transforming the center of the aviary into a feathered nest of movement. Objective I (2015) was a collaboration with NYC based company, The Moving Architects, experimenting with editing in dance. Based on an article written by Judith Mackrell, both choreographers created and edited each other’s work. Presented as a two step project, Objective I was presented in both NYC and Pittsburgh. Discussions ensued with audiences; topics of artistic voice, entertainment value, and the true nature of a choreographic work were debated.
Along with these three productions, Artistic Director, Shana Simmons, has created more than twelve choreographic pieces since 2009. Her works have been seen in London, Belgium, New York City, Chicago, and Pittsburgh. SSD also has a long standing collaborative relationship with The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, producing four separate works to date.
SSD strives to maintain excellence in choreographic quality, create experiences for audiences highlighting current topics, and views performance as an exchange between audience member and performer.
COMPANY CV
STOP (2016)
Run time: 9:30
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancer: Shana Simmons
Music: It Is Time: I. Metronome, So Percussion
-performed in Lehigh Valley, PA, SpringUP Dance Festival(2016)
OBJECTIVE I (2015)
Red Rover, Red Rover
Run time: 10:15
Choreography: Shana Simmons, in collaboration with the dancers
Edited by: Erin Carlisle Norton
Dancers: Jessica Marino, Brady Sanders, Shana Simmons
Music: PJ Roduta, original composition
-performed in Pittsburgh(2015), New York City(2015), Slippery Rock University (2016), Chicago, VALEES Conference(2016)
Grounded in the Soil
Run time: 16:25
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Kerra Alexander, Jamie Erin Murphy, Brady Sanders, Jean-Paul Weaver
Music: various selections of Otis Redding
-performed in Pittsburgh(2015), Chicago, VALEES Conference(2016)
PASSENGER (2014)
-full length show-
Run time: 35-45 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Kerra Alexander, Ashley Kostelnik, Jessica Marino, Jamie Erin Murphy, Brady Sanders
Music: Ian Green, original compositions
-performed in Pittsburgh, The National Aviary(2014), Slippery Rock University(2015), New York City, APAP Festival(2017), Three Rivers Arts Festival (2017), TRACKS: Where will dance take you? (2017)
WE SING THE BODY ECLECTIC (2014)
-collaboration with The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra
-full length show-
Run time: 45 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: James Barrett, Jamie Erin Murphy, Nicole Rae Jones, Shana Simmons
Music: The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, various selections
-performed in Pittsburgh, The Three Rivers Arts Festival and The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival(2014)
DANCING SOLO (2013)
Run time: 18:26, excerpts available
-in collaboration with clarinetist Amanda Morrison
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancer: Shana Simmons
Music: Libby Larsen, Dancing Solo
Performed by: Clarinetist Amanda Morrison
-performed in Pittsburgh(2013), Bar Marco and New Moves Dance Festival (2014)
PLAYLIST (2013)
-collaboration with The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra
-full length show-
Run time: 50 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Jessica Marino, Joshua Munoz, Shana Simmons
Music: The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, various selections
-performed in Pittsburgh(2013), Bar Marco
STUDIES IN SPACE AND TIME (2012)
-collaboration with The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra
-full length show-
Run time: 45 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons, in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Haley Harrison, Jessica Marino, Shana Simmons
Music: The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, various selections
RELATIVE POSITIONS (2012)
-multi-disciplinary 4-hour performance event-
Production: Shana Simmons Dance
Commissioned Artists: Continuum Dance Theater, The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, tripWIRE, The Pillow Project, Mary Miller Dance Co, Elizabeth Hoover, For The Girl Who Sleeps In Snow, Theatre Sans Serif, Haley Harrison, Beth Ratas, AmaisTwoOrMore, Murphy/Smith Dance Collective, Gia T. Cacalano, Aimee Manion, Amanda Lee, Sasha Mirzoyan, DJ N8theS8
QUIRKE (2012)
Run time: 25-30 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Jasmine Hearn, Jamie Erin Murphy, Jessica Marino, Renee Danielle Smith
Music: Ian Green, original compositions
-performed in Pittsburgh, Next Stage Residency(2012)
BITS...PIECES... (2011)
Run time: 9:30
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancer: Jessica Marino
Music: Andrew Griffin, original composition
-performed in Pittsburgh, New Moves Dance Festival(2011), Evolve Productions(2011), Butler(2013)
WHAT IS YOUR...? (2009)
Run time: 13:40
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Anastosia Kostner, Hannah Chadwick, Shana Simmons
Music: James Bulley, original compositions
-performed in Ghent, Belgium, Rêverie Festival(2009), Pittsburgh, PA, Evolve Productions (2009)
CRUNCH (2009)
Run time: 14:25
Choreography: Stacy Abalogun and Shana Simmons
Dancers: Robert De Gregori, Tom Picken, Chris Vann, Ryan O’Neill, Ian Dolan and Simon Wehrli
Music: James Bulley, original composition
-performed in London, England, Evolution Dance Festival(2009)
COMMUNITY PROJECTS:
TEA PARTY (2009)
-collaboration/commissioned by Artmongers
Choreography: Shana Simmons, in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Hannah Chadwick, Tim CJ Chew, Anna Crofts, Gabrielle Austen Browne, Ryan O’Neill
Music: spoken word by Lewis Carroll, Alice In Wonderland
-performed in Deptford, England(2009)
HOSPITAL PROJECT (2009)
-collaboration/commissioned by Artmongers
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Tim CJ Chew, Gabrielle Austen Browne, Kayleigh Matheson, Sarah Lockwood
-performed in London, England, St Thomas Hospital(2009)
Run time: 9:30
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancer: Shana Simmons
Music: It Is Time: I. Metronome, So Percussion
-performed in Lehigh Valley, PA, SpringUP Dance Festival(2016)
OBJECTIVE I (2015)
Red Rover, Red Rover
Run time: 10:15
Choreography: Shana Simmons, in collaboration with the dancers
Edited by: Erin Carlisle Norton
Dancers: Jessica Marino, Brady Sanders, Shana Simmons
Music: PJ Roduta, original composition
-performed in Pittsburgh(2015), New York City(2015), Slippery Rock University (2016), Chicago, VALEES Conference(2016)
Grounded in the Soil
Run time: 16:25
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Kerra Alexander, Jamie Erin Murphy, Brady Sanders, Jean-Paul Weaver
Music: various selections of Otis Redding
-performed in Pittsburgh(2015), Chicago, VALEES Conference(2016)
PASSENGER (2014)
-full length show-
Run time: 35-45 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Kerra Alexander, Ashley Kostelnik, Jessica Marino, Jamie Erin Murphy, Brady Sanders
Music: Ian Green, original compositions
-performed in Pittsburgh, The National Aviary(2014), Slippery Rock University(2015), New York City, APAP Festival(2017), Three Rivers Arts Festival (2017), TRACKS: Where will dance take you? (2017)
WE SING THE BODY ECLECTIC (2014)
-collaboration with The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra
-full length show-
Run time: 45 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: James Barrett, Jamie Erin Murphy, Nicole Rae Jones, Shana Simmons
Music: The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, various selections
-performed in Pittsburgh, The Three Rivers Arts Festival and The Pittsburgh Fringe Festival(2014)
DANCING SOLO (2013)
Run time: 18:26, excerpts available
-in collaboration with clarinetist Amanda Morrison
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancer: Shana Simmons
Music: Libby Larsen, Dancing Solo
Performed by: Clarinetist Amanda Morrison
-performed in Pittsburgh(2013), Bar Marco and New Moves Dance Festival (2014)
PLAYLIST (2013)
-collaboration with The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra
-full length show-
Run time: 50 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Jessica Marino, Joshua Munoz, Shana Simmons
Music: The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, various selections
-performed in Pittsburgh(2013), Bar Marco
STUDIES IN SPACE AND TIME (2012)
-collaboration with The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra
-full length show-
Run time: 45 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons, in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Haley Harrison, Jessica Marino, Shana Simmons
Music: The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, various selections
RELATIVE POSITIONS (2012)
-multi-disciplinary 4-hour performance event-
Production: Shana Simmons Dance
Commissioned Artists: Continuum Dance Theater, The Eclectic Laboratory Chamber Orchestra, tripWIRE, The Pillow Project, Mary Miller Dance Co, Elizabeth Hoover, For The Girl Who Sleeps In Snow, Theatre Sans Serif, Haley Harrison, Beth Ratas, AmaisTwoOrMore, Murphy/Smith Dance Collective, Gia T. Cacalano, Aimee Manion, Amanda Lee, Sasha Mirzoyan, DJ N8theS8
QUIRKE (2012)
Run time: 25-30 minutes
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Jasmine Hearn, Jamie Erin Murphy, Jessica Marino, Renee Danielle Smith
Music: Ian Green, original compositions
-performed in Pittsburgh, Next Stage Residency(2012)
BITS...PIECES... (2011)
Run time: 9:30
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancer: Jessica Marino
Music: Andrew Griffin, original composition
-performed in Pittsburgh, New Moves Dance Festival(2011), Evolve Productions(2011), Butler(2013)
WHAT IS YOUR...? (2009)
Run time: 13:40
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Anastosia Kostner, Hannah Chadwick, Shana Simmons
Music: James Bulley, original compositions
-performed in Ghent, Belgium, Rêverie Festival(2009), Pittsburgh, PA, Evolve Productions (2009)
CRUNCH (2009)
Run time: 14:25
Choreography: Stacy Abalogun and Shana Simmons
Dancers: Robert De Gregori, Tom Picken, Chris Vann, Ryan O’Neill, Ian Dolan and Simon Wehrli
Music: James Bulley, original composition
-performed in London, England, Evolution Dance Festival(2009)
COMMUNITY PROJECTS:
TEA PARTY (2009)
-collaboration/commissioned by Artmongers
Choreography: Shana Simmons, in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Hannah Chadwick, Tim CJ Chew, Anna Crofts, Gabrielle Austen Browne, Ryan O’Neill
Music: spoken word by Lewis Carroll, Alice In Wonderland
-performed in Deptford, England(2009)
HOSPITAL PROJECT (2009)
-collaboration/commissioned by Artmongers
Choreography: Shana Simmons
Dancers: Tim CJ Chew, Gabrielle Austen Browne, Kayleigh Matheson, Sarah Lockwood
-performed in London, England, St Thomas Hospital(2009)