Contemporary ballet to have its world premiere

PHOTO BY AUBRIE RODRIGUEZ
Light/Dark — Members of Mary Love Dance Projects, a nationally recognized professional contemporary-dance company, perform in the contemporary ballet Light/Dark.

PHOTO BY JESSICA MAYHEW BARRERO
In motion — Mary Love Ward, the director of the acclaimed Mary Love Dance Projects, is art-in-motion during a rehearsal. The Mary Love Dance Projects will premiere the ballet Light/Dark at Gateway Center for the Arts in January.

By SPECIAL TO THE BEACON

posted Dec 29, 2012 - 5:53:15pm

Light/Dark, a contemporary ballet, will have its world premiere at 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 5, at Gateway Center for the Arts in DeBary.

Light/Dark explores concepts of light and darkness in the human experience, featuring innovative contemporary ballet choreography and alternative lighting sources, including flashlights, LED candles, and film projections.

With the winter solstice having recently arrived, this ballet performance is a unique way to celebrate the season.

“We wanted to create something that is accessible to everyone,” said Mary Love Ward. “This is a time when we gather to reflect, celebrate and just be together.

“Many cultures and religions have symbolic references to light and dark. I love that we are all connected in this way. It is amazing that, although we may seem so different, there are just some experiences that draw us together. There is something primal in our reaction to darkness and light, and this ballet gets to the heart of this.”

The dances will take the audience on a journey of self-reflection, community, transcendence and enlightenment.

Under the direction of Ward, the emerging dance company has been selected to perform in various prestigious dance exhibitions, including the Florida Dance Festival, DUMBO Dance Festival in New York, COOL/NY Dance Festival, West Fest Dance Festival, and New Grounds Dance Festival in Tampa. Mary Love Dance Projects focuses on merging the classical and contemporary with innovative choreography, conservatory-trained professional dancers, and multimedia explorations. The company is currently an artist in residence at the Center for Contemporary Dance in Winter Park.

Tickets cost $12 for Gateway members, $15 in advance, and $18 at the door.

— info@beacononlinenews.com

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