"NOTES ON DE GROAT WAS DONE WITH SUCH CLARITY, LOVE, AND SLY WIT THAT IT WON ME OVER. YOU FELT A TUG FROM THE PAST, BUT MORE THAN THAT, AN EXCHANGE WITH THE PAST."
Wendy Perron
Danspace Project, NYC
23 minutes
4 performers
Part dance trio, part history lecture, notes on de groat is a self-reflexive work that grapples with the quandary of recreating dances from the past, the legacy of the avant-garde, and Galasso's personal relationship with the French/American choreographer Andy de Groat.
Originally commissioned by Danspace Project as part a 75-minute program of Andy de Groat dances from the 1970's entitled GET DANCING, notes on de groat has since been re-performed as either a standalone performance, or as part of this larger program. It has toured to several places, incorporating local performers. More information about the Bessie-nominated GET DANCING program and Andy de Groat, here.
notes on de groat was co-created and co-written with performers Chris DeVita, Kristopher K.Q. Pourzal and Meg Weeks, with later contributions by Doug LeCours.
THE EXPERIENCE WAS LIKE FOLLOWING A STRING BACK THROUGH TIME AND FINDING SOME SORT OF TREASURE. WHAT [CATHERINE] FOUND WASN’T FLASHY OR TRANSGRESSIVE, BUT AN ENCHANTED MEETING OF MOVEMENT AND MUSIC. ~Wendy Perron
notes on de groat
Written and Directed by
Catherine Galasso in collaboration with Chris DeVita, Doug LeCours, Kristopher K.Q. Pourzal, Meg Weeks
Performers
Doug LeCours, Kristopher K.Q. Pourzal, Meg Weeks
Music
Michael Galasso
Dramaturgy and Scenic Design
Jesse Hewit
Lights
Carol Mullins (for the 2015 premiere)
Costumes
Karen Boyer
TOUR OPTIONS
notes on de groat
notes on de groat can be presented as a standalone 30-minute lecture/dance performance with 4 performers, or as part of the full GET DANCING 70-minute program featuring Andy de Groat recreations from the 1970's, incorporating up to 8-12 local dancers, and 5-10 local musicians/voice actors.
Wendy Perron's
The evening, a combination of reconstructions of Andy de Groat’s work and a new work by Catherine Galssso, captured something elusive about the ’70s. The only way I can describe it is that things at that time were unforced. There was a sense that people were finding ways to let choreography happen rather than willing it to happen.
Click below for in depth article reflecting on the program, incorporating interviews with several cast members.
Support
Danspace Project 2015 - 2016 Commissioning Initiative
Robert Wilson’s Watermill Center
Centre National de la Danse Pantin
Kaatsbaan International Dance Center
Jerome Foundation
Bossak/Heilbron Charitable Foundation
92nd Street Y
New York State DanceForce
New York State Council on the Arts Dance Program
Lower Manhattan Cultural Council’s Extended Life Dance Development program
The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation