We continue our interview series of newMoves Contemporary Dance Festival choreographers with Pittsburgh's Jasmine Hearn. Jasmine has danced with Dance Alloy, STAYCEE PEARL dance project, and others. newMoves will see her present a new piece called, "if god left the lights on could we walk alone at night." newMoves starts this Thursday at the Kelly-Strayhorn Theater and lasts through Saturday May 12. Check the Facebook page for more info. Check out the last week's interview with Beth Ratas here.
DB: What piece are you performing at newMoves? Who is involved in the ensemble?
Jasmine Hearn: I will be presenting an excerpt from a new work titled "if god left the lights on could we walk alone at night". Movement artists include Alyssa Mayfield, Riva Strauss, Beth Ratas, and me. Just so you know there is partial nudity in the work.
DB: Where does your piece originate from? What themes are you hoping to explore?
JH: My piece is a simple, sensual moving collection of images that have been remembered from literature, film, and experience. While humanizing the many labels bestowed upon women, the piece focuses on one question: why has the female sex been so over valued but her sexuality so underappreciated?
DB: How does the choreography process start? Is improvisation involved?
JH: There are many different processes that we have tried; creating a phrase and teaching the dancers to see how they interpret it, guided improvisation, and asking the dancers themselves to contribute phrasework are some examples.
DB: What else is going on? Any upcoming performances or projects?
JH: I will be presenting another section of "if god left the lights on..." at Pittsbugh's Pride Festival Sunday June 10th. I also hope to present the entire length work here in Pittsburgh, and also in Houston, Texas and Albuquerque, New Mexico. Also for more info go to my facebook artist page: http://www.facebook.com/jasminehearnmove
DB: Who else are you looking forward to seeing at newMoves?
JH: Honestly everyone. The line-up is pretty amazing this year.
