Scottish Dance Theatre

Following a rave reviewed performance at the 2011 ADF Gala, the Scottish Dance Theatre returns to the ADF for their US full company debut. Along with an encore performance of James Wilton’s athletically charged Drift, the evening will feature the US premiere of DOG, choreographed by one of Europe’s most original and exciting artists of this time, Hofesh Shechter. Created specifically for the company, this honestly raw yet sophisticated work delves into Darwin’s essentials for survival through a satirical lens, while remaining a treat for the mind and the senses. The company will also present the US premiere of Lay Me Down Safe* by Kate Weare, a tender foray into the human conflict when faced with desire and loss.

*Mature audiences recommended due to language.

Post Performance Discussion: Saturday, June 23

About the Choreographers
Winner of the 2008 Critic’s Circle National Dance Award for Best Choreography, Hofesh Shechter is recognized as both a choreographer and composer. He has worked with Batsheva Dance Company Artistic Director Ohad Naharin and other choreographers including Wim Vandekeybus, Paul Selwyn-Norton, Tero Saarinen, and Inbal Pinto. His works have been commissioned by and created for Bare Bones Dance Company, Edge and Verve companies of London Contemporary Dance School and Northern School of Contemporary Dance respectively, and StopGAP Dance, among others. Hofesh is the Associate Artist of Sadler’s Wells and his company, Hofesh Shechter Company, is the Resident Company at Brighton Dome.

Kate Weare creates dances that seek to merge the mind and the gut through the power and persuasiveness of the moving body. She draws on visual art sources in her work, as well as a fascination with the fields of language, poetry, contemporary music and psychology. She founded her own company in 2005, and has since enjoyed collaborations that explore dance and live music with many extraordinary talents, including violinist David Ryther, the Brooklyn-based indie band One Ring Zero, composer Michel Galante and Argento Chamber Ensemble, and the SF-based old time band The Crooked Jades. She is currently serving as guest faculty at Princeton University in an atelier for music students co-taught with composer Barbara White, as well as choreographing for White's chamber opera, Weakness, to premiere in March 2012 at Princeton.

James Wilton began dancing at the age of 15 when he joined Cornwall Youth Dance Company, and went on to study at London Contemporary Dance School. It was there that his choreographic career began as three of his works (Drift, Threads, and Familiar Tones) were toured nationally and internationally. His work The Shortest Day was the winner of the Sadlers Wells “Global Dance Contest” and was performed at Sadlers Wells as part of Sadlers Sampled in January 2011. James has been commissioned to create works for numerous organizations including Scottish Dance Theatre, London Contemporary Dance School, Northern School of Contemporary Dance, Brighton University, Roehampton University, Brighton and Hove Youth Dance Company, Leicester College and many others.