Eclectic Edge Ensemble

Sawat- dee-ka!

I had the amazingly fortunate opportunity to live, teach and choreograph dance in Chiang Mai, Thailand this past year. In a land where I didn't speak the language, stood out like a sore thumb with my fair skin and hair, and was constantly making social blunders, being in a dance studio was a welcomed relief. It turns out, dance really is universal. While many students understood my English, many others did not, and so it would go that we would use our bodies to communicate. What an awesome way to come together with those who are so different from ourselves. 

I was blessed with the opportunity to choreograph for Chiang Mai Ballet's production of Sleeping Beauty. May I just say that when tech week came and I went to the theater for the first time for rehearsal, I was almost overcome with emotion. Turns out, theaters on the other side of the world smell and look exactly like they do here. It was in that moment that I finally felt I had a place in beautiful SE Asia. 

Chok dee,

Allison

Enjoy some pictures from the production!

Click here to view these pictures larger

The Japanese do amazing things with puppetry and movement, and in light of our upcoming show, here is a fun video that combines puppetry and movement performance.  Enjoy!

The Ritz Theatre 

345 13th Avenue NE Minneapolis, MN 55413

February 17th-20th, 2011:

• Thursday, February 17th @ 8:00 pm
• Friday, February 18th @ 8:00 pm
• Saturday, February 19th @ 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm
• Sunday, February 20th @ 3:00 pm

Snow Bound! teams Mad Munchkin Productions and Eclectic Edge Ensemble in a magical infusion of puppetry and jazz dance against a backdrop of original music. Journey through the human experience of winter: from its playful wonder to depressing darkness and everything in between. Join hibernating animals and night stars as puppeteers and dancers explore the wintry natural world. 

To reserve tickets:

visit www.ritzdolls.org 

or call Ritz Theatre Box Office at 612-436-1129.

This performance is made possible, in part, by MRAC and the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund as appropriated by the Minnesota State Legislature with money from the vote of the people of Minnesota on November 4th, 2008

There is a new crisp in the air, leaves are changing colors and students have been back at school now for a few weeks; it must be that time of year...Eclectic Edge Ensemble is back in rehearsals! We will be back in the studio working on our next production "Snowbound: a journey from Autumn to Spring," a collaboration with Mad Munchkin Productions which performs February 17th-20th, 2011 at the Ritz Theatre. This season is bringing lots of new and exciting collaborations, projects and additions to EEE!

For those of you who attended our last production "For Sport's Sake," will remember the lovely and talented Mallory Dykema who played our pregnant and very hilarious soccer Mom. Well, that was back in mid-July and on August 21st, 2010 she gave birth to beautiful Harlow Emery. We all send huge congratulations to the Dykema Family! 

It is really amazing to think about how incredible life is and the treasures around every corner. I met Mallory a few years ago in a production we both performed in at Saint Paul City Ballet. The following year I was thrilled to have her join Eclectic Edge Ensemble. She is a true gift in the company and is just an amazing performer that lights up the stage. During her pregnancy I was amazed at how well she did, how much she took on and the energy she brought to every rehearsal. Now we are returning to rehearsals, with Mallory jumping right back in, and we will be able to glance over to the corner of the studio to see Eclectic Edge Ensemble's first offspring and watch her grow with the company.

Photo by Summer Street Photography

Here is a fun review from the Twin Cities Daily Planet....

http://ow.ly/2cT4q

Two more chances to see Eclectic Edge Ensemble's "For Sport's Sake," tonight at 8:00 pm and tomorrow (Sunday) at 2:00 pm.