2008 Residency Schedule

Residency #132
FEBRUARY 16 – MARCH 8
Application Deadline: EXTENDED November 22, 2008

MOLISSA FENLEY, dance/choreography

Molissa Fenley was born in Nevada in 1954. She was six years old when her family moved to Ibadan, Nigeria where her father worked with USAID. She attended high school in Spain and then returned to the US to attend and graduate from Mills College in Oakland, California with a BA in dance in 1975. That same year she moved to New York. Molissa Fenley and Dancers was founded in 1977. In her 30-year career she has choreographed over 60 works.

Early works were commissioned by the Kitchen (1979), Dance Theater Workshop (1980, 1982) and the American Dance Festival (1981). The company began to tour nationally and internationally in 1980. The Brooklyn Academy of Music Next Wave Festival commissioned Hemispheres, in 1983, with music by Anthony Davis and decor by Francesco Clemente and Geologic Moments in 1986, with music by Philip Glass and Julius Eastman. Cenotaph, with music by Jamaaladeen Tacuma, and commissioned by Jacob's Pillow, was awarded a “Bessie” for Choreography in 1986. State of Darkness, a solo set to Stravinsky’s Rite of Spring, a commission from the American Dance Festival was performed over 50 times in many venues around the world. The Brisbane Biennial featured this work with live orchestra, one of Fenley’s most memorable performances. A Bessie was awarded to State of Darkness. Five dancers have danced this work to date: Fenley, until 1994, Peter Boal from 1999-2000, and Rachel Foster, James Moore and Jonathan Porretta, of the Pacific Northwest Ballet in June 2007, where once again the work was performed with a live orchestra. From 1988 through 1997, Fenley choreographed solo works in collaboration with contemporary visual artists and composers. A few include: Witches' Float (1993) music by Alvin Lucier and set by Kiki Smith; Nullarbor (1993) music by Robert Lloyd and set by Richard Long; Bridge of Dreams (1994) music by Laurie Anderson and set by Kiki Smith and Sita (1995), music by Philip Glass and photography by Sandi Fellman. Since 1997 she has returned to the ensemble form. Performances by the company, including long time members Paz Tanjuaquio, Ashley Brunning and Cassie Mey, have taken place at the Joyce Theater, Summerstage, the Kitchen, City Center, Alice Tully Hall, Lincoln Center Out of Doors, and many others. Fenley has also choreographed for the Australian Dance Theatre, The Ohio Ballet, the Deutsche Opera Ballet, for Peter Boal, for Peggy Baker, for the Korea/Japan Performing Arts Exchange, and for the Pacific Northwest Ballet.

Fenley has been on the dance faculty at Mills College in Oakland, California since 1999, in residence every spring semester. Since 2003, she has also taught choreography at the Experimental Theater Wing of New York University. Her most recent performances have been in Paris and Goteborg, Sweden in April, 2008 where Cosmati Variations with music by John Cage premiered. She was named a 2008 Guggenheim Fellow.

Residency Statement

I would like to work 5 days a week for a 4 hour period, time to be decided with the Associates. The first hour would be for warm-up, I will teach a class that Associates can take or they can warm-up on their own. The following three hours would be a repertory session, I would make a piece on all the Associates that would premiere at the end of our three week session. In addition, I would like to act as a mentor for the individual choreographic work of the Associates. We would decide on times to meet, show and discuss work that the Associates are developing. (Associates are not required to choreograph during the residency, however the opportunity is available.)

Application Requirements

Please send a video or DVD of recent work - either your dancing your own choreography or someone else's. Applicants should be at the intermediate to advanced level of technical expertise (modern or ballet).