Emory Dance Company Choreographer: Lori Teague

 

The Fall 2024 Emory Dance Company Concert features new work by faculty members Julio Medina, George Staib, Lori Teague and guest artists Doug Varone and Danielle Swatzie. 

Read about faculty member Lori Teague's work and process below! 

I am working on a piece about the challenges we experience trying to communicate (our feelings, our belief systems, our intent). As an entry point, we have discussed political differences in our family and our friend circles as a cast.  I am also exploring resiliency as a method of adapting to differences and how we listen to each other. I am trying to discover new ways of expressing this in dance.

Working in Duet form, the dance becomes a conversation. I hope to discover ways of building trust that strengthens how we listen. I hope to discover ways that “big differences” coexist in an environment of respect. I plan to build this conversation with the audience by stepping out of duet form. 

Thank you Lori! Tickets for the Emory Dance Company Fall 2024 Concert are on sale now. Click here to purchase them now.

Emory Dance Company Choreographer: Danielle Swatzie

Photo by Shoccara Marcus

The Fall 2024 Emory Dance Company Concert features new work by faculty members Julio Medina, George Staib, Lori Teague and guest artists Doug Varone and Danielle Swatzie. 

Read about guest artist Danielle Swatzie's work and process below! 

In this work, I'm exploring the intersection of movement and improvisational jazz, using abstract scores to guide both narrative and physical expression. I want to create a space where the music and movement flow together organically, inviting play, joy, and spontaneity. My aim is to let the choreography tell a story while being in constant conversation with the music, allowing both to drive the emotional and creative journey. 

My goal is to challenge and dismantle expectations. Right now, I'm drawn to asymmetry and controlled chaos, and I want to lean into that, allowing the work to stretch beyond boundaries and invite new possibilities. 

Collaboration is central to my creative process. We’ve started by creating solo scores, allowing the dancers to explore different compositional techniques, which helps reveal their individual strengths and potential. I also incorporate journal prompts to keep them emotionally connected to the work, deepening their engagement. As we explore character development, these collaborative elements shape the tone and world of the piece, laying a strong foundation for the final work. 

Thank you Danielle! Tickets for the Emory Dance Company Fall 2024 Concert are on sale now. Click here to purchase them now.