Uwishunu.com

Originally hailing from Richmond with stints in NYC, dancer/choreographer Charles O. Anderson settled down in Philly in 1998 to start his own dance company Dance Theatre X (2001) and pursue a graduate degree from Temple University (2002). Since, he has performed with dtX both locally and internationally as well as receiving a Pew Fellowship in the Arts in 2007 for choreography. In 2008 he was named one of “25 to Watch” by Dance Magazine and is currently teaching at Muhlenberg College.

dtX’s upcoming performance includes a new work choreographed by Kota Yamazaki called “In-Ou” an abstract work fusing bhutoh traditions with contemporary dance and African dance forms and a group work entitled “Evidence of things (un)said” inspired by letters written to loved ones by slain soldiers. These are part of a commission from the Painted Bride Art Center called the “The Hush Project” reflecting the awareness of the increasing interconnectedness of people and places as a result of advances in transport, communication, and information technologies that cause political, economic, and cultural convergence.

Describe what Dance Theatre X does.

dtX creates contemporary dance and dance theatre work that bears witness to human experience that draws movement and thematic inspiration from the African Diaspora. It synthesizes the spirituality and dynamism of African-derived movement and the candor and vulnerability of contemporary dance. The results are fierce, poetic, socially engaged kinetic testimonies.

Describe your dancing to us.

I consider myself a kinetic storyteller. I am committed to investigating and testing the boundaries of traditional and contemporary African movement in relationship to western notions of concert dance. My goal is to create work that gives testimony in movement similar to the way it has been given in words by African-American oral and literary traditions, by slave narratives and by folk practices. The ultimate goal is to move the audience, to create an immediate and responsive connection between those who tell and those who listen.

What do you find most inspiring about Philadelphia?

I find the passion for dance-making and the support for dance to be one of the most inspiring aspects of Philadelphia.

What is your favorite venue to perform and watch dance?

Another thing that I truly love about Philly is the abundance of great performance venues. I have really enjoyed performing at The Painted Bride, Conwell Theatre and The Wilma. I have also enjoyed the work I have seen at these venues as well as the performances I have seen at The Rotunda.

Dance Theatre X “” trxfr>transfer
Friday and Saturday April 18th and 19th, 2008 8PM

Painted Bride Art Center
230 Vine Street “” Philadelphia, PA
www.dancetheatrex.com
www.paintedbride.org