A solid dance education is the foundation to become a leading dancer. Who are you? What do you have to say? What is the artistic statement you are making? Ken Ludden speaks about his artistic intentions in his three-act ballet Né: Roi. Excerpts of the choreography, Ludden talking about his motivation and vision, and professional performing artists speaking about their experience of working with Ludden make it possible to dive into the artistic realm of performing arts, the springboard of an education with the 284 steps has to offer.
When the human body is used as a tool of expression, the responsibility of the storytellers – the dancers – is to speak to the public from the stage by communicating the artistic vision, that choreographers intended. „Dance is the movement of the body driven by an inner force“ (Wind Dancer by Wiebke Finkler). To be able to execute the endless range of variations of movements that are developed by each individual artist, performing artists needs to be able to do exactly what is expected of them. That is why it helps so much, if they have shaped their instruments – their bodies – with an extensive toolbox such as the one of knowing and being able to execute correctly the 284 different steps of classical theatrical dancing. This allows for a successful and long professional career in and beyond the classical works of ballet.
The story of his three-act ballet is told by the performing artists on the stage. If these execute the dance steps of the choreography like they would do them in a class, it would be athletics, sports or dance technique but not performing arts. In his dance classes, Ken Ludden’s often says how important it is, to never execute classroom steps on a stage, as a professional artist of the stage. These steps prepare you to express the vision of the choreographer. In the talks you can see here, the artists who have worked with him in Né: Roi, share their experience of working with him.
Multimedia
Veröffentlichung
2018-2021
(World Premiere Selections Performed in Mackay, Queensland July, 26th 2018 At The MECC, Mackay)
Kontext/ Projektförderung/ Initiator/ Auftraggeber
The “284 steps” project phase in 2022, including the making of this web presence, is made possible through the support by NATIONALE PERFORMANCE NETZ – STEPPING OUT, with funds from the Federal Government Commissioner for Culture and the Media within the program NEUSTART KULTUR.
Team
Libretto and Choreography Ken Ludden
Composer David Pyke
Production Designer Loron Lavoie
Costume Designers Rita Ludden, Fiona Flohr, Loron Lavoie
Music Director Alexander Walker Orchestra Musica Viva, Moscow
Video/Film Director Pipo Tafel
Still Photography Jason Ashwood
Dramaturg Clare Larman
Administrators Lydia Philpott, Catherine Lech
Stage Manager Tara Tate
Rehearsal Directors Dallas Itzstein, Amanda Bollinger
Costumer for Principal Artists Freda Bromberg
Wardrobe Department Maria Lobb, Lee Houghton, Rachel Hayes, Nicole Seale, Nurit Tatarsky, Michelle Mitchell, Nurit Tatarsky, Elizabeth Kennedy-Roberts
Make-Up and Hair Maria Lobb
Computer Tech Danny Tatarsky, Phillip Benyon
Stage Tech Nick Philpott
Cast Judith: Emily Bromberg
Prince Uno: Rainer Krenstetter
Aristo: Chase Swatosh Lady
Nara: Ashley Knox
Silv, Narrator: Alec Gilbert
King Sa’al: Rainer Krenstetter
Queen Lucia: Emily Bromberg
Bell Ringer: Gabriel Sinclair
Beaugar: Anatoli Chiochiu
Young Aristo: Ashton Philp
Young Uno: Cooper Tate
Young Nara: Elodie Jewell
Young Judith: Eliana Tatarsky
Music Master: Laura Connolly
Archer: Kristin Seale
Art Master: Molly Kirkwood
Scientist: Alicia Vaseo
Talbot: Alec Gilbert
Nurturer: Emily Budden
Strictness: Sabela Lobb
Dreamer: Jacqleen Mitchell
Prude: Jordan Hayes
Flirt: Kiara Medhurst
Edwina: Clare Larman
Princess Rigana: Shelby Johnson
Teen Nara: Lily Taylor
Teen Judith: Ashlyn Borg
Group Soloists Ladies In Waiting Emelina March-Peach Dakoda Murry Bronte Vella Tyla Saron Sentries Kash Stanton Jeremy Adams Nick Philpott Wazifalasi Warriors Elodie Jewell Annie Stanton Shannon O’Neill Adele Amies Leon Namai Elizabeth Amies Corps De Ballet Dancers (alphabetical order) Zara Anderson Yve-Noelle Bollinger Ashlinn BorgI Jessie Borg Emily Budden Kiara Catterall Taryn Clarke Laura Connolly Sophie Dolphin Tahlia Doohlan Madalyn Finch Kate Forster Jorday Hayes Kavce Hoani-Vincent Dylan Itzstein Elodie Jewell Shelby Johnson Molly Kirkwood Cadence Leonard Sabela Lobb Emelina March-Peach Amber McCarthy Sienna McDonald Lila McGrath Kiara Medhurst Jacqleen Mitchell Seina Murkami Dakoda Murry Shannon O’Neill Rori Paganoni Amali Paganoni Ashton Philp Ethan Philp Lily Philpott Abbie Quinn Tyla Saron Kristin Seale Laruen Seale Liam Shields Charli Sichter Annie Stanton Avigail Tatarsky Eliana Tatarsky Cooper Tate Lily Taylor Madeleine Trueman Alicia Vaseo Bronte Vella Belle Watling Mackenzie Wotherspoon
Produktion
Ken Ludden
Location
Melbourne and Mackay (Australia)