| | Aesthetics bond choreographer, fashion designer |
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A peek into the sketchbook of costume designer Hogan McLaughlin
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Fluence aesthetics bring together choreographer and costume designer
"This is the most intricate costume we've ever built," Wardrobe Supervisor Rebecca Shouse recently told Artistic Director Glenn Edgerton.
Shouse was referring to fashion designer Hogan McLaughlin's creations for Fluence, Robyn Mineko Williams' work premiering this weekend at the State Theatre in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Catch it October 10–13 in Chicago.) The two artists, working together for the second time this year, are so in sync that even interviewed separately and three weeks apart, they were on the same page.
How is the artistic team assembled for a new piece like Fluence?
Robyn, on August 25: I asked Hogan and Robby [Haynes,composer] and Burke [Brown, lighting designer] to be part of this creative team because I trust them and their aesthetics. I feel that we share similar aesthetics, so I don’t worry about us getting too far off-base with each other. And I can trust that they’re open to my ideas, as kooky or as out-of-left-field as they might seem — they’re all very willing to work with me and wait to discover the connections.
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Costume designer Hogan McLaughlin. Photo by Cheryl Mann. |
Hogan, on September 16: The brilliant thing about working with Robyn is that she puts all of her faith in her artistic team to just go and do whatever they feel will fit the work best. It's amazing to have that freedom, but it can also be a little nerve-wracking. Luckily we share similar aesthetics so I don't think our minds are ever that far off from one another.
Describe your creative process. How do you get a feel for the work? Do you sketch characters?
Robyn: I don’t usually come in with specific characters in mind — I just build from whatever’s happening and the chemistries in the room. I love to use [the dancers’] personalities, their uniquenesses, the odd gestures or mannerisms that they have. That’s what makes it human, and what makes a piece relatable.
Hogan: I sat in on a few of Robyn's initial rehearsals to get a feel for the movement and relationships that began to develop between the dancers in the piece. I started picturing them as automaton-like beings, and wanted to sort of highlight that through sharp angles and a metallic color scheme. I've also known most of the dancers in the cast for some time and wanted to highlight each personality, or at least try to. There's a sense of uniformity, but every person is different from the next.
How do you want the dancers to feel wearing these clothing?
Hogan: I only want the clothing to complement and heighten whatever they're feeling while doing Robyn's movement.
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Hubbard Street dancer Garrett Patrick Anderson and choreographer Robyn Mineko Williams in rehearsal for Fluence. Photo by Todd Rosenberg.
@hubbardstreet ON TWITTER / INSTAGRAM
@Lissa_hs2 Last week home in Miami... Then back to Chicago to begin my 3rd season with @HubbardStreet 2 :)
@HoganMcLaughlin One of my concepts for Robyn Mineko William's @HubbardStreet premiere this October. Exciting stuff! pic.twitter.com/sbCfXPE3cr
@Lubovitch Waiting backstage for the first performance of the @Chida_Fe to begin. W/ @joffreyballet @HubbardStreet
@ShailiBhatt Breathtaking performance by @HubbardStreet at the Chicago Dancing Festival! Wow.
@Slydancecat @HubbardStreet Little Mortal Jump - silly, sweet, stirring and gorgeous. #Dance
@thisaac Every step is a bit lighter today thanks to @Chida_Fe and powerful dancing from @HubbardStreet @Lubovitch @EnsembleEspanol @joffreyballet!
@SarahLKaufman @HubbardStreet in Mats Ek's "Casi-Casa," coming to DC 10/17-19; watch this dancer's elasticity, use of hands: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-P4lus3LaO8 …
@designingaround Nice to see @HubbardStreet representing in the @mcachicago lobby during #creativeschools meeting @IngenuityIncChi pic.twitter.com/NLLx93nGqf
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See Hubbard Street’s "dancers of spectacular versatility" (Los Angeles Times) in works by four different choreographers, demonstrating four different visions of contemporary dance, each speaking eloquently to the human condition — without words.
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This project is partially supported by the Illinois Arts Council Agency.
Robyn Mineko Williams is a 2013 Princess Grace Awards winner, Choreography Fellowship.
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| Hubbard Street patrons save 20% on Chicago Opera Theater's Joan of Arc |
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Chicago Opera Theater |
Chicago Opera Theater presents Verdi's Joan of Arc
Giuseppe Verdi's rarely performed opera offers a vivid and provocative portrait of the iconic Joan of Arc.
This Chicago premiere is staged as a play within a play where reality collides with legend and erotic temptation clashes with religious obsession.
Experience Verdi’s vocal fireworks as he reveals a story of love, sacrifice and controversy. Tickets start at $35.
September 21, 25, 27, 29 at the Harris Theater. chicagooperatheater.org.
» Hubbard Street patrons save 20%
Use code JOANCOT. This offer is only available by phone. Please call 312-704-9414. Not valid for previously purchased tickets.
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| | | Aspen Santa Fe Ballet October 5 at the Harris Theater |
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Aspen Santa Fe Ballet. Photo credit: Rosalie O'Connor. |
“Simply breathtaking.” —Chicago Sun Times
Born in the American West and now touring internationally, this charismatic troupe of dynamic dancers has developed a loyal following worldwide.
Known as an incubator for new choreography, its return to Chicago features a compelling program of all commissioned work created especially for this vibrant company, including Over Glow by Jorma Elo and Last by Hubbard Street's Resident Choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
One-night-only performance: Saturday, October 5 at the Harris Theater
Tickets: $25 - $75 available by calling 312-334-7777 or online at www.harristheaterchicago.org
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Hubbard Street Dance Chicago is a not-for-profit 501(c)3 organization
supported in part by contributions.
Mission: to bring artists, art and audiences together
to enrich, engage and change lives through the experience of dance.
Donate today to support Hubbard Street's mission.
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