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The Equus Projects partners professional dancers with horses and their riders to create site-specific performance works that merge the artistry of dance with the athletics of equestrianism. The company creates works for arts and equine venues that are virtuosic and diverse, and exchanges dance and equestrian pedagogy with members of each field, to establish an interdisciplinary performance language.
In 1997, choreographer JoAnna Mendl Shaw engineered a unique collaboration between the Mount Holyoke College Dance Department and Equestrian Program, which resulted in a trilogy of site-specific performance works for dancers and horses. During the three-month process of creating this body of work, Shaw became fascinated by the visceral connection that developed between the dancers and horses. Following completion of the Mount Holyoke project, Shaw initiated a series of research and performance projects to further explore the language of communication between human and equestrian collaborators.
The Equus Projects has transformed equestrian arenas into theatre spaces and produced four evening-length works for dancers and horses. The company has also created site-specific movement installations for hillside, lawns and gardens. Their repertory of smaller performance works have been performed at Equine Affaire, the Parelli Tour Stop, for dance festivals such as the NYC River to River Festival in downtown Manhattan, American College Dance Festival in New London, CT and The Bates Dance Festival. The Company has taught clinics for equestrians and workshops sharing their equine techniques with dancers. Their touring has taken them to arts and equestrian venues Washington, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, New Hampshire, Maine, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, Vermont and Virginia.
2011
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Photo
Ken Shook
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Master Class, Burlington Dances l Burlington, VT
Master Classes, St Michael's College l Burlington, VT
Clinic for Equestrians and Dancers l Johnson, VT
Bates Dance Festival l Lewiston ME
Clinic with David Lichman l Lincoln, VT
Heifetz International Music Institute l Wolfeboro, NH
Moving From The Core l Leadership Training Clinics, Seattle
Interdisciplinary Workshop l Johnson, VT
Celebration III l Fundraising Gala for High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center in Old Lyme, CT
2011 Dancer Intensives l SOHO, NYC & Southlands Equestrian Center, Rhinebeck, NY
Guest Artist Residency l University of Florida, Gainesville
Master Class l Vassar College, Poughkeepsie
Master Class l The Ailey School, NYC
Master Class l Burlington, VT
Open Studio Sessions l SOHO, NYC
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2010
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Photo
Judith Stuart
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Celebration II ~ In Prospect Park l Brooklyn, NY
The Equus Projects with
GallopNYC & Volunteers from NYC Cares
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival l Rhinebeck, NY
Dancing in Real Time ~ The Equus Projects with Jami Sieber and Geoff Johns l Heart of the Horse Farm l Vashon, WA
Exploring Energy States: A Clinic for Equestrians l Blue Heron Ranch l Sammamish, WA
A Clinic for Equestrians l Starwind Ranch l Livingston, MT
Celebration of the Iberian Horse l Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center l South Hadley, MA
2010 Dancers Intensive l Alvin Ailey Studios, NYC & Southlands Equestrian Center, Rhinebeck, NY
A Texas Hillside ~ The Equus Projects with Texas Dancers and Equestrians l XO Ranch l Aubrey, TX
A Clinic for Equestrians l The Hilltop Ranch ~ Yalaha, FL
Master Class l Dance Department, Texas Womens University
Master Class l Dance Department, North Texas University
Guest Artist Residency l University of Florida, Gainesville
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2009
Photo by
Jeanne Hunt
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Join Up ~ The Myrna Loy Center for the Performing Arts l Helena, MT
Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival l Rhinebeck, NY
Resting Ground ~ The Equus Projects with Jami Sieber | Vashon, WA
White Oak Plantation Residency ~ The Equus Projects & Black Label Movemenmt (MN)
Yulee, FL
Clinic for Equestrians | Snohomish, WA
2009 Dancers Intensive | Dance Theatre Workshop Studios, NYC & Pomona, NY
Clinic for Equestrians | Aubrey, Texas
An Afternoon with the Equus Projects | Pomona, NY
Clinic for Equestrians | Ocala, FL
Creative Residency and Performance with Black Label Movement | Ocala, Florida
Master Class l Cornish College, Seattle
Master Class l University of Florida, Gainesville
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2008
Photo by
Judith Stuart
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Performance for Central Green l American College Dance Festival, Connecticut College
Chance Encounter Farm | Pownal, Maine
Creative Residency with Black Label Movement | Minnesota
Clinic for Equestrians | Snohomish, WA
Clinic for Equestrians | Saugerties, NY
Clinic for Equestrians | Arlington, WA
Clinic for Equestrians | Athens, Ohio
Master Class l Dance Department, Ohio University
Master Class l Dance Department, Ohio State University
An Afternoon with the Equus Projects | Pomona, NY
June Dancers Intensive l Dance Theatre Workshop studios & Pomona, NY
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2007
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Trail Less Traveled | Equine Affaire, Pomona, CA
Performed with singer/songwriter Mary Ann Kennedy
Libertango | Equine Affaire, Pomona, CA
Performed with equestrian David Lichman
Gotan Tango | Equine Affaire, Pomona, CA
Performed with equestrian Ellie Johnson
Clinic for Equestrians | Clinton, CT
Taught with equestrian Patricia Norcia
Clinic for Equestrians | Huntington, NY
Taught with equestrian Mette Larsen
Dancers’ Intensive | NYC & Long Island, NY
Documentary Film Shoot | with Filmmaker, Lisa Russell
Heifetz International Music Institute | Wolfeboro, NH
Film Shoot | with Video Artist, Christina Lanzl
Bates Dance Festival | Lewiston, ME
Demos for Equestrians
Clinic for Equestrians | Newburgh, NY
Taught with equestrian Nita Jo Rush
Clinic for Equestrians | Saugerties, NY
Taught with physical therapist/equestrian Rachel Meyer
Clinic for Equestrians | Raymond, ME
Clinic for Equestrians | Saint Cloud, MN
Clinic for Equestrians | Athens, Ohio
Master Classes | Athens & Columbus, Ohio
Ohio University & Ohio State Guest Teacher in Dance Department
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2006
Photo by
Nancy Halsey
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Seven Games (premiere) | Bates Dance Festival, ME
a collaboration with composer and performer, Jami Sieber
Bach Cantatas | Heifetz International Music Institute, NH
a work created for the annual retreat of the Heifetz Institute Board of Directors with live cello and electric violin
Clinic Series | Nationwide Tour
a series of clinics with Parelli Natural Horsemanship Instructors, David Lichman and Karen Rohlf
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2005
Photo by
Janet Biggs |
Dances with Horses l Perry Mansfield Performing Arts in Steamboat Springs, CO
a program of small works for dancers and horses created with Perry Mansfield dancers and Colorado horses and equestrians
Rules of Engagement | The Claremont Riding Academy, NYC
a site-specific collaboration with artist/videographer, Janet Biggs
Walking Score for OxRidge | The OxRidge Hunt & Polo Club, CT
created for the OxRdige Dressage Show
Ellipse | The Oval Lawn, NYC
commissioned by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council for The River to River Festival opening event curated by Elise Bernhardt
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2004
Photo by
Louisa Preston |
Dances with Horses l Perry Mansfield Performing Arts in Steamboat Springs, CO
a program of small works for dancers and horses created with Perry Mansfield dancers and Colorado horses and equestrians
Bach Dances | Ocala, FL
a commission for The Marion County Therapeutic Riding Association’s Fundraising Gala, Symphony of Horses
Aria | Millbrook, NY
a commission for The Dutchess County Land Conservancy Tour of Preserved Farmlands
Equus I | Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond VA
a commissioned work for Equus dancers, equestrian and horses with VCU dancers and Richmond equestrians and their horses
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2003
Photo by
Jerry Reilley |
Kalliope | The Shelburne Museum, Burlington VT
2nd annual production, originally commissioned by The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in 2002
Kalliope | Riverdale Equestrian Center, Bronx NY
a restaging of the 2002 Kalliope with a new music score by composer, Steve White staged for the Riverdale indoor arena with full stage lighting
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2002
Photo by
Natalie Stultz |
Kalliope | The Ethel Walker School, Simsbury CT
presented by Real Art Ways, a restaging of the original work for the Ethel Walker equestrian arena
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2001
Photo by
Natalie Stultz |
Kalliope | The Shelburne Museum, Burlington VT
commissioned by The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts for the historic carousel at The Shelburne Museum; with funding from NPN, NEA and Vermont Arts Council
The Equestry II | The Green Mountain Horse Association, Woodstock VT
commissioned by The Green Mountain Horse Association for the GMHA 75th Anniversary Gala
The Equestry I | New Haven VT
1st production of full length work for equine home, The Equestry in New Haven VT
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2000
Warwick Arts Festival| Warwick, NY
Repertory Concert| River Ridge Equestrian Center in Riverdale, NY
Repertory Concert| Garret Mountain Equestrian Center in West Paterson, N.J.
1998-9
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