NYC Dance Happenings- Misnomer Dance Theater

Misnomer is Leading.
By: Ashley L. Mathus

Misnomer Dance Theater. Enough Said. Founded by Artistic Director, Chris Elam, Misnomer has made a quick and superb name for themselves. The New York Times recently featured Misnomer in their Sunday edition, and crowned them as one of the “Top Ten NYC Dance Performances” of 2006. Chris Elam has most recently directed the music video, “Wanderlust” for Bjork, and is deeply involved with audience engagement concepts, philosophies, and media transformation. Elam is a pioneer for connecting the audience to a choreographer’s work, podcasting and filming excerpts with bits of helpful information for the unknowing eye. This is revolutionary for the dance world, seeing as more often than not, audience’s “don’t get it”, or enjoy a piece without truly knowing why. Elam plans to evolve his concepts and make dance as accessible an art form as music or film. After receiving a grant of just over $1 million from the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation, Elam’s dreams for dance on the web are coming true; as well as his wonderful vision on stage.

Misnomer is premiering their new work, Being Together, at the Joyce SoHo December 4th-7th and 11th-14th. Being Together is hard work and play, a constant motion and ever-changing alteration of space. The company presents three pieces, all of which have common themes of environment, relationships, and “togetherness”. Company members envelope and mold into shapely creatures, balancing with poise and purpose. Abstract choreography still maintains linear concepts and motions, creating awesome levels while incorporating all that’s difficult in people-to-people associations. The second piece, “Rock. Paper. Flock.” is an innovative work that explores Elam’s outside mission. While talking to the audience, live, about his choreographic process, the dancers structurally improvise on his instruction; leaving us with quirky attitudes, fresh gestures, and fearless partnering. Dancers do flock, and separate, and come together again in strange ways- both passive and aggressive. They technically sculpt their own legs and stiffly align their arms while maintaining a free-spirited vibe- like all of this is easy.

Each piece is glorified by the commissioned music; drums and cello’s form to the waves of undulating torsos and tougher-than-tough yoga poses. Knotting together like a marble statues, Misnomer toys with the audience, making us laugh, think, and evolve with them. A company filled with honest and wonderful eccentricities, it is truly a joy to partake.

Please visit misnomer.org to research this wonderful company, be in the know throughout live-feed performances, or read their blog at your pleasure. Also, please visit joyce.org to purchase tickets for “Being Together”. Be together with Misnomer.