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A truly unique company
that solidly connects with nature, the sounds of the Southwest and the rhythms
of the Earth.
Since 1985,
O-T-O Dance has been the moving force of dance in the southwestern United
States. In its early years, the company presented works primarily of modern and
site-specific origin, generally exploring native and natural influences and
environments. In 1991, the company began learning and training in all aspects
of Aerial Dance from mentor and master aerialist, Robert Davidson. Davidson’s
influence and mentorship significantly changed O-T-O Dance. Robert Davidson
helped the company become aware of the entire space of the stage, not
simply the dance floor. New and exciting possibilities, pushing the boundaries
of the dance experience, suddenly became possible. Since that time, Artistic
Director, Anne Bunker, has further developed this aesthetic by merging Modern
and Aerial Dance into a unique form that has captivated audiences worldwide. The
company has toured nationally and internationally to Ireland, Russia, Mexico,
Central and South America.
O-T-O
Dance, known for its adventurous physicality and visually compelling
performances, will stimulate, mesmerize and engage the minds and hearts of the
most discriminating audience. The company’s multi dimensional mix of aerial
dance, live music and video projection serve up a surreal buffet of performance
art that has something for everyone.
Dancers
of the company come from across the United States. As performing artists with
diverse backgrounds, each dancer contributes to the company’s aesthetic by
adding their own unique artistic vision to the performance whole. It is this
commitment to collaborative process that gives every performance inspirational
magnitude.
In addition
to maintaining a dynamic repertory of works by Artistic Director, Anne Bunker,
the company’s current choreographic offerings include works by Rodney Griffin,
Robert Davidson, Susan Quinn, Thom Lewis, Kevin Schroder, Jan Justis and Gina
Buntz. Notable composers who have created scores for O-T-O Dance are R. Carlos
Nakai, Ash Dargan, The ODAIKO Sonora Taiko Drummers, William Eaton, Steve Roach,
Evren Ozan and resident composer/videographer, Chuck Koesters.
While on
tour, the company shares the art of dance through master classes and extended
residencies to people of all ages including special populations and the
physically challenged. Activities range from classes from a wide variety of
dance forms to lecture demonstrations, community designed projects and
performances.
At home, in Tucson, Arizona, O-T-O Dance
presents a yearly performance season and operates a school in its historic
warehouse, the ORTSPACE. Classes in all levels of Aerial, Modern, Contemporary
Ballet, Hip-Hop, Improvisation, Creative Movement, Jazz and Theater are offered
throughout the year to ages
four – Adult.
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