Friday, October 14 | 9:30-11am
Stephanie Martinez
Class: Contemporary
In this professional level contemporary class, students will be taken through a warm-up, across the floor, and center combinations. Students will be expected to approach the movement in a mature manner, picking up on the intricacies of the choreography taught, while also applying their own style and personality. Emphasis will be placed on changing the quality and dynamic of their movement with the style of the choreography, preparing dancers for the professional dance world.
About Stephanie Martinez:
Stephanie Martinez is the Founder and Artistic Director of PARA.MAR Dance Theatre, a Chicago-based contemporary ballet repertory company. With over eleven years of award-winning works, Chicago-based choreographer Stephanie Martinez moves her audiences along a journey guided by the kinetic momentum of her work. With original creations for Joffrey Ballet, Ballet Hispanico, Luna Negra Dance Theater, Charlotte Ballet, Sacramento Ballet, Eugene Ballet, Nashville Ballet, Ballet Memphis, Kansas City Ballet, and National Choreographers Initiative among others, Martinez’s versatility expands the boundaries of contemporary ballet movement. Martinez has created over 60 ballets on companies and collegiate programs across the country. In 2010, Martinez assisted Broadway legend Ann Reinking in setting the Fosse Trilogy, and in 2015 was awarded Joffrey Ballet’s “Winning Works: Choreographers of Color” commission and the Chicago 3Arts Award in recognition for her work as a female artist of color. More recently, Martinez was awarded an NEA grant for her premiere Bliss! at Joffrey Ballet. Dubbed “a chameleon” of choreography by the Chicago Tribune, Martinez’s psychologically revelatory works challenge the viewer’s notion of what’s possible. Stephanie Martinez was also lauded as the subject of “Fearlessly Inspired, 2020” and acknowledged as a “shining example of resilience, adaptability and artistry in an extraordinary year.”
Join us at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts for Open Technique Classes with the Ruth Page Civic Ballet Training Company*, every other Friday at 9:30am. The class will feature rotating guest artists and Ruth Page School of Dance faculty. Method and technique will vary by teacher.
*The Ruth Page Civic Ballet Training Company is an elite group of pre-professional dancers, ages 17-25 who train daily, 9am-3:30pm, August – June at the Ruth Page School of Dance. The program provides continued comprehensive technique training, unique performance experiences, focused study with guest artists and choreographers, and travel to our International Sister Schools in Cuba, Italy and Spain.
