True magic returns to the stage again this holiday season with GHDT’s highly popular student production of The Nutcracker. This heartfelt and inspirational version of the holiday classic has a modern twist.
Klara is portrayed as a homeless orphan girl who discovers the true meaning of the season through the gift and giving spirit of a homeless man. The homeless man wishes for Klara to have a better life. Finding a broken Nutcracker doll in the garbage, he presents it to her. He casts a magic spell over Klara and she dreams of the grim reality of life on the streets with mice who chase and torment her. The Nutcracker appears and battles the Mouse Queen. Klara slays the Mouse Queen in his defense. Klara’s tears fall upon the defeated Nutcracker and he is transformed into a handsome prince. The Prince takes Klara on a journey to a magical kingdom where the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy comes to dance with them. The colorful dances and costumes of the Kingdom dazzle Klara. She is no longer an orphan and has found her family. She will never be alone again. Through this adventure Klara has discovered the meaning of giving. The greatest gift given is that of love and compassion for others.
GHDT’s The Nutcracker prominently presents a wide range of world and cultural music and features the highly-talented dancers of G2, the pre-professional company of GHDT. G2 is joined by students from The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and other young student dancers filling the stage with movement and color! The Nutcracker is a family favorite and is sure to add joy and cheer to this holiday season.
Surprise! Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is having a pop-up concert! The dancers have been secretly hard at work on this while also preparing for The Seven Deadly Sins and Other Dark Tales.
When? November 15th at 7pm and November 16th at 3pm and 7pm
Where? The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre – 329 Gradle Dr, Carmel, IN 46032
What is it? Emerging Voices is a performance choreographed by the dancers of GHDT! Morgan Beane, Hannah Brown, Chloe Holzman, and Camden Kruse are the four dancers who chose to choreograph a piece for this show. The performance is only about an hour long.
On the edge of Halloween, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will cross into the darkness with performances of spirited theatrical storytelling. THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS, captivating the power of Lust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath, Envy and Pride, is interpreted through an eclectic array of music meshed with GHDT’s unique and dramatic fusion of dance styles.
LA LLORONA, a new work and world premiere, is the depiction of a folktale from Mexico and the Southwest of a legendary apparition figure dressed in white who cries and grieves for her drowned children along the riverbanks. Portrayed as a lost soul, experience her journey as she is pre-destined to wander the earth forever. And returning to the stage from the GHDT repertoire vault are the popular works THE REMAINING and SALOME. GHDT will bring to life these obscure and dark tales and leave you with chills.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre opens their 22nd Performance Season with THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS AND OTHER TALES at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts, October 25-26, 2019.
GHDT SEASON TICKETS NOW ON SALE FOR THE TARKINGTON PERFORMANCES! SAVE 10% The Seven Deadly Sins and Other Tales – October 25 & 26, 2019 Exodus – April 3-5, 2020 There’s No Place Like Home – June 5 & 6, 2020 ORDER YOUR SEASON TICKETS TODAY BY PHONE OR IN PERSON! The Tarkington Box Office 317-843-3800
Single Tickets available on-line and by phone beginning September 3, 2019
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre announces their 2019-2020 Performance Season
schedule.
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS AND OTHER TALES
– October 25 & 26, 2019 – The Tarkington
As
the resident professional dance company at The Center for the Performing Arts, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will open
its 22nd Performance Season with THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS AND OTHER TALES. On the edge of Halloween, GHDT will cross
into the darkness through folklore and dance.
THE SEVEN DEADLY SINS ofLust, Gluttony, Greed, Sloth, Wrath,
Envy and Pride will be interpreted through an eclectic array of music coupled
with GHDT’s unique and powerful fusion of dance styles. Included in the program will be the World
Premiere of LA LLORONA, a folktale
from Mexico and the Southwest about an apparition who cries and grieves for her
drowned children along the riverbanks.
Expect a surprise as GHDT will also perform a piece from the repertoire
vault! Known for dramatic storytelling,
music and dance, GHDT will bring to life these dark and obscure tales and leave
you with chills.
THE
NUTCRACKER – December 6 & 7, 2019 – Pike Performing Arts Center
Gregory
Hancock Dance Theatre presents THE
NUTCRACKER at Pike Performing Arts Center, December 6 & 7, 2019. GHDT’s full-length modern version features
the highly-talented dancers of G2, the pre-professional company of GHDT. G2 is joined by students from The Academy of
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and other young student dancers filling the stage
with movement and color! THE
NUTCRACKER follows the same overall story line as the original, but with a
uniquely different twist. This magical
version portrays Klara as a homeless orphan girl who discovers the true meaning
of the season through the gift and giving spirit of another homeless person. THE NUTCRACKER is a family favorite
and is sure to add joy and cheer to the holiday season.
ONCE
UPON A TIME – Weekends February 8-23, 2020 – The Academy of GHDT
In
February, Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre
will once again transform its daily rehearsal space into a black-box theatre where
audiences will be entertained in a cabaret style, up-close and personal theatrical
experience. Travel through a world of fractured fairy tales and be
entertained by a delightful and whimsical montage of favorite characters. ONCE
UPON A TIME presents an enchanting classical musical score which sets the
scene for several well-known tales but with many unexpected and humorous twists
and turns. Light refreshments will be
served. Seating is limited.
EXODUS
– April 3-5, 2020 – The Tarkington
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is
thrilled to once again present the highly popular, full-length contemporary
ballet, EXODUS. Inspired by the Book of Exodus, but adapted
to our modern world, EXODUS is a
cautionary tale of hatred and ignorance.
The ten modern plagues include; desecration of the Earth, gun violence,
racism, war, poverty, crime, social media, government, selfishness and death of
the first born. Set to a score of epic
symphonic and choral music and enhanced with complex visual artistry, EXODUS will transport the audience into
an emotional story of love and sacrifice.
Don’t miss the newest of the GHDT masterpieces!
THERE’S
NO PLACE LIKE HOME – June 5-6, 2020 – The Tarkington
Gregory
Hancock Dance Theatre will close its 22nd Performance Season with
the World Premiere of THERE’S NO PLACE
LIKE HOME. A re-telling of the
classic story “The Wizard of Oz,” this adventure will travel through the exotic
world of India with a boy from Kansas.
On his quest for enlightenment, he encounters interesting characters
from the Hindu pantheon of gods and goddesses.
This new work will capture your curiosity and imagination as it inspires
and entertains. Join GHDT on their
journey to find THERE’S NO PLACE LIKE
HOME.
Here it is! Students have been asking us for a few weeks now what the schedule for next year looks like. Some classes got moved to different days, and there’s a few new classes we’re trying out after hearing feedback from our students on what they liked and what they were less interested in. For more information, click on the Academy tab at the top of your screen.
2019-2020 Class Schedule
MONDAY
(Studio A)
4:30-6:30 PM – Ballet 5-6
6:30-8:30 PM – Ballet 3-4
(Studio B)
4:30 – 5:30PM – Modern 3-4
5:30 – 6:30PM – Tap 3-4
6:30 – 7:30PM – Character 5-6
7:30 – 8:30PM – Tap 5-6
TUESDAY
(Studio A)
4:30 – 6:00PM – Ballet 5-6
6:00 – 7:00PM – Modern 5-6
7:00 – 8:30PM – Repertoire – G2 ONLY
(Studio B)
4:30 – 6:00PM – Ballet 3-4
6:00 – 7:00PM – Modern 3-4
WEDNESDAY
(Studio A)
4:30 – 6:30PM – Ballet 4-6
6:30 – 7:30PM – Modern 4-6
7:30 – 8:30PM – Yoga/Stretching and Conditioning
(Studio B)
5:00 – 5:30PM – Tap 1-2
5:30 – 6:15PM – Modern/Jazz 2
6:15 – 7:00PM – Ballet 2
THURSDAY
(Studio A)
4:30 – 6:00PM – Jazz 5-6
6:00 – 7:30 PM – Pointe/Variations 5-6
7:30 – 8:30 PM – Repertoire – G2 ONLY
(Studio B)
4:30 – 6:00PM – Ballet 3-4
6:00 – 7:30 PM – Jazz 3-4
A new immersive and intimate production of LA CASA AZUL, The Musical will debut at The Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre, Indianapolis this July 11-28, 2019. LA CASA AZUL, an award winning musical, is inspired by the intense and turbulent life of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. With original music, lyrics and choreography by Gregory Glade and lyrics by Kate Ayers, LA CASA AZUL is performed by a talented cast from national and local platforms. * * *
What audiences say about LA CASA AZUL, The Musical: “a masterpiece of musical theatre!”, “brilliant and visually stunning”, “the best show ever”, “an amazing and stunning work of art”, “heart wrenching”, “this show gave me chills”, “I would go again and again”, “phenomenal!”, “I hope this goes straight to Broadway, no stops between”, “remember La Casa Azul, as I have no doubt it is destined for national stage and fame”, “a powerful and dynamic masterpiece”, “pure genius”
New theatre, new actors, new artistry . . . a vibrant story of a famous female icon. A relatable musical, LA CASA AZUL is bold and beautiful, yet intimate and personal just like the layered life of iconic Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. “It is a universal story of the human spirit and how we are able to take misfortune and tragedy and turn them into immense truth and beauty,” says creator Gregory Glade. “At the core, there is a simple love story surrounded by complex challenges. Struggle is within us all, yet we are capable of transforming pain and strife into raw, creative beauty as Frida did,” he adds.
LA CASA AZUL is a completely sung-through musical and is presented with a unique fusion of musical theatre, opera, and dance. These diverse artistic components help bring drama and intensity to the story. “Everything is important to this production and they all have to work together – the story, the music, the characters, the costumes, the sets, the lighting,” says Gregory Glade. “So many elements have the potential to inspire the audience members,” he adds. The main character Frida Kahlo, played by a professional Latina New York City based actress/singer Val Nuccio, will have a prominent and powerful voice throughout the performance. Supporting characters include Diego Rivera, play by JL Rey of New York City, Cristina Kahlo, played by Alyssa Lopez of San Antonio, Texas, Guillermo Kahlo, played by Bill Book of Indianapolis, and Alejandro Gomez Arias, played by Jonathan Contreras of El Paso, Texas all of whom have intertwining and influential relationships with Frida throughout her life. The storyteller is the character of Death, played by Abigail Lessaris of Indianapolis. Uniquely, this character’s voice is only heard through dancing and movement. The set is creatively designed to reflect an artist’s rendition of Frida’s image in fragments. The costumes enhance the personalities of each character and create authenticity to the time period.
LA CASA AZUL, The Musical first premiered in 2015 as a large production with numerous cast members and vast visuals. “For this evolving production, however, I want to present LA CASA AZUL in a more intimate and immersive setting in a smaller venue where the audience can be more connected to the story, the characters and the music,” says Gregory Glade. “With all art, revisions are made in order to make the product more clear, more universal, more relevant. Art is constantly evolving as our lives evolve. My art reflects my journey, just as Frida’s did,” he adds.
Back by popular demand, LA CASA AZUL, The Musical will return to the stage this July 11-28, 2019. Tickets are on sale at The Phoenix Theatre box office. Seating is limited with 12 performances only. LA CASA AZUL, The Musical is produced by Gregory Glade and Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will close their 21st Performance Season with THE VIOLIN UNDER THE BED
at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts, June 7-8, 2019.
This captivating piece, which first premiered in 2016 at The Tarkington, is eloquently choreographed by Executive Artistic Director Gregory Glade Hancock and is an audience favorite. Growing up in Kansas, Florence Marie Hancock yearned to play the violin. Knowing this was impossible as a poor, young girl of the depression era, she resorted to dreaming about holding the instrument, hearing music and dancing. THE VIOLIN UNDER THE BED is inspired by stories of Mr. Hancock’s mother and the experiences that brought her joy – art, music, nature, travel, and sports. The tiny vignettes represent segments of her life and all the gusto she brought to it. “I dedicate all of my work to my mother and her indomitable and enigmatic spirit,” says Mr. Hancock.
The concert will also include two other personal pieces created by Mr. Hancock. “Until There is No More,” which was first performed in 2014, is centered around Mr. Hancock’s personal journey with cancer. On the fifth anniversary of being cancer free, it seems appropriate to remember the emotion of this life changing experience and celebrate the milestone with this work. “The male dancer portrays me, but different aspects of my soul are portrayed by other dancers as well as emotions such as fear, strength and the disease itself,” Mr. Hancock says. “I have reoccurring themes in my work of the concept of being caught somewhere between Heaven and Earth, the challenges of this life, and the memories of where we came from and the constant search for where we are going.”
The final work in this concert, which first premiered in 2017, is “Every Moment . . . Every Day . . .” A captivating and beautiful piece, it depicts images of loss, grief and isolation which are never-ending. “At some
point in life, everyone will carry something. Sometimes it is easy to see, and other times it is invisible. There is a miracle of love and time being returned for a brief period, but then the cycle begins again,” say Mr. Hancock.
This touching full length repertoire production created by masterful storyteller Gregory Hancock is filled with emotion and enlightenment and will inspire each and every audience member.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is proud to present the talented performing artists of the pre-professional company, G2. See their amazing energy, passion and creative storytelling as they perform popular pieces from the GHDT repertoire including “Bolero,” and excerpts from “Under the Big Top,” “Greek Mythology,” and “Down on the Bayou.” Be entertained and inspired in an up-close, black box theatre atmosphere as these young dancers perform challenging works of art.
La Casa Azul is an original musical featuring music and lyrics by GHDT’s Executive Artistic Director, Gregory Hancock and lyrics by Kate Ayers.
Funds raised will be used for production costs.
La Casa Azul tells the story of the life of Mexican artist, Frida Kahlo. The production will premiere July 11-28th, 2019 at The Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre in downtown Indianapolis, IN.
