This review was written by a TeenTix KC teen who is learning about arts journalism through the Press Corps, which provides teens with training and tools to respond to their arts experiences. TeenTix KC seeks to engage teens in the arts and amplify their voices. This may be the first time this teen has publicly expressed their opinion about an arts experience. Thank you for reading and supporting this teen’s development as an arts journalist.
Chiaroscuro, meaning light to dark, is often used as an artistic technique to describe dramatic contrasts. As I watched the Owen/Cox Dance Group’s open rehearsal for the piece Chiaroscuro, I was taken through the four movements and felt as if I was in the swirl of light and darkness through the dancers’ portrayals of emotions from bitterness to ecstasy. I was very grateful to have the opportunity to be in the room and experience one part of this production come to life.
Chiaroscuro will be performed March 27 and 28 at 8:00 p.m., and March 29 at 2:00 p.m. at City Stage Theater in Union Station. The Owen/Cox Dance Group is partnering with the Grammy-nominated St. Petersburg String Quartet for the music of the piece. The piece they are performing to is Dmitri Shostakovich’s String Quartet No. 8, which consists of four movements, in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the composer’s birth.
The Owen/Cox Dance Group was cofounded by artistic director Jennifer Owen and composer Brad Cox, who are both responsible for putting Chiaroscuro together. When I attended the open rehearsal, Owen shared that the choreography for the piece is a joint effort, including her and all the dancers involved in the piece. The production consists of a small group of dancers performing contemporary movements who rehearse Monday through Friday from about 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. When speaking with Owen, she explained that Chiaroscuro is important because it displays the togetherness of music and dance.
When watching the first movement, I was impressed by the musicality, artistry and chemistry of the dancers. What particularly stood out to me was the part towards the end when all the dancers joined hands and made a circle, weaving in, out and around each other, finishing it in one line. It really made me feel a sense of the “swirl” Owen had mentioned before the rehearsal started. The second movement had more sprightly movements and painted a lighter picture. During the note session, Owen instructed the dancers to dance as if they were walking on moss, which I feel accurately summed up the overall dancing of the movement.
As a dancer myself, I noticed the dancers in the third movement using the direction of their bodies nicely. They would strategically look first at where they wanted to go, then the bodies and movements would follow, creating the effect that the dancers were almost looking for something. In my opinion, the third movement was the most emotional and enchanting because of the way the dancers made use of their facial expressions. However, my favorite movement would be the fourth or last movement. The music was loud and took charge, and the dancers performed big movements and jumps at a quick pace. It was the most powerful and upbeat part of the piece and stood out amongst all movements.
When I attended the open rehearsal, I watched during their second week. However, the way they danced looked as if they had been practicing for months. These dancers picked up the choreography quickly and were able to make this piece their own and portray it accurately. This group is also preparing for their performance of And Wonder with singer/songwriter Krystle Warren, which you can catch April 10-12 at City Stage Theater in Union Station.
Reviewed by TeenTix KC Press Corps member Kora Smith
TeenTix KC is a KC Studio initiative building a brighter future for our region by empowering young people to take an active role in shaping their arts community as audience members, critics, influencers, advocates, patrons and leaders. Any 13-19 year-old can become a TeenTix KC member by downloading a free pass which enables them to buy $5 tickets to participating arts venues across metro KC. Teens are encouraged to become critics and influencers by writing reviews and creating reels about the arts they experience using their TeenTix KC passes.
