December 2-3

Fri & Sat at 8pm 

Synapse Art - New Works 

Presented by Synapse Arts

An annual evening of premieres, Synapse Arts- New Works features original dances by emerging Chicago dance artists Suzy Grant and Samantha Spriggs, alongside a new work by Synapse Arts Artistic Director Rachel Damon. These three choreographers come together to create a scintillating evening of dance. Solos performed by returning company members Damon, Katie Matteson, Laura Tennal, Lesley Werle and Vienna Willems will punctuate the program and accompany the larger works.

Said About Synapse Arts:

"Serious artists working with intelligence and a pinpoint aesthetic" -Chicago Tribune

Damon's signature abandonment of restraint meets her curiosity of subtle physical humor in Mama Bear.

Challenging herself to make her first work in a trio format, arguably the most difficult dance grouping, Damon pushes herself to re-evaluate the ways her dances represent the live interaction of humanity. Featuring Michelle Burger, Samantha Spriggs, and Vienna Willems - all new collaborators for Damon.

Samantha Spriggs’ work features veteran company members Matteson, Tennal, and Werle in addition to first-year Synapse dancers Megan Klein, Christopher Knowlton and Gretchen Soechting. With Spriggs’ characteristic use of odd juxtaposition and committed physicality, this sextet sweeps across the stage negotiating the complex idiosyncrasies of human interaction.

Suzy Grant’s solo is a work-in-progress exploring identity in relation to race, ethnicity, gender, and genetics.  The work attempts to embody a discourse around the politics of perception by braiding movement, humor, and text.