Interview: Modern dance puts a spin on Bach at Theatre Project

by Lori Sears
Baltimore Sun, September 4, 2003

Firmly rooted in early dance forms, the music of Bach remains timeless. So it’s no wonder choreographer Li Chiao-Ping was inspired to create a dance based on the composer’s works.

The Wisconsin-based dancer/choreographer brings her company, Li Chiao-Ping Dance, to Theatre Projct Oct. 30 through Nov. 1 and presents excerpts from her recent endeavor, The Bach Project.

Based on Bach’s unaccompanied cello suites, The Bach Project features new music by contemporary composers Ryan Smith (Suite No. 4), Baltimore-based Darryl Harper (Suite No. 6) and Stephen Vitiello (Suite No. 5), along with original choreography by Chiao-Ping.

“It’s all about giving a unique spin on each suite,” Chiao-Ping says of the abstract dance piece.

Quite a unique spin, in fact, with Smith playing his music on the computer, Harper playing the clarinet and Vitiello playing computer/electric guitar. Could Bach have ever imagined?

Dancers Chiao-Ping, Robin Baartman, Colleen Coy, Andrea Harris, Collette Stewart, and Megan Thompson perform six movements within each suite. Composers Harper and Smith will accompany the dancers, playing live and solo on stage. Vitiello may not appear live.

Chiao-Ping, a gymnast known for the elasticity and athleticism in her works, believes gymnastics offers an unusual dance presentation.

“I try to [incorporate gymnastics] in a very organic way. It’s woven into the pieces,” she says. “The audience can see the human body in a different way. It gives yet another context, because it’s not sport,” she says.

Having created, produced and performed more than 60 dance works throughout North and South America in her 15-year professional career, Chiao-Ping continually strives to offer meaningful, emotionally charged physical programs.

“I’m interested in abstraction and drama. I think that what makes my work is the balance of those two quests,” she says.

Despite suffering serious injuries in a car accident in 1999, Chiao-Ping is still an active participant with her company.

“I have limitations, but I am dancing,” she says. “I can augment or change things.”

Prior to and during the Theatre Project shows, Chiao-Ping will conduct dance workshops at the Ward Center for the Arts at St. Paul’s school in Brooklandville. Interested dancers may contact composer and Ward Center director Darryl Harper at the school for details.

In addition to the Theatre Project shows, Li Chiao-Ping Dance performs next July at Dance Place in Washington. Collaborator/visual artist Douglas Rosenberg and Chiao-Ping created an abstract piece called Painkillers on the interior views of women in various states of distress, which will be showcased at Dance Place.

Chiao-Ping founded Li Chiao-Ping Dance in 1990. The company has been based in Madison, Wis., since 1993.

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