“Breaking the Bones:  A Plea for Tibet”

Choreographer:  Amanda Cantrell Roche

Music:  Nawang Khechog

I’ve been drawn to the struggle of Tibetans for many years, but have put off starting a choreographic project about it because I felt I needed to go to Tibet before I could authentically start work on the choreography. Since that has not been possible logistically or financially, last summer I finally made the commitment to learn as much about the culture as I could here in Nashville. As part of my research, I went to a Concert for Tibet at the Unitarian Church in August, and I had the great fortune of meeting Nawang, a Tibetan exile who lives in Nashville and speaks fluent English. He has been very kind and generous with his time, sharing with me the story of his life; about his experience growing up in Tibet and fleeing his homeland at age 13, his life in exile and the Tibetan philosophy. I feel I am truly beginning to understand the Tibetan mindset because of him and all the other stories I’ve read of Tibetan exiles. Through several books, documents from the International Campaign for Tibet, websites and documentaries, I’ve really delved into the situation and knew I must move forward on this project.

Another stumbling block in getting started was that I was concerned that audiences would expect authentic Tibetan dance and Asian dancers, and I wondered if this was a valid expectation. Apart from including a few representations of customs and movements such as the prostrations, I’m making no attempt to present this as authentic Tibetan dance or movement. Conversely, it is a response to the struggle and enduring spirit of Tibetans from a very Western viewpoint which uses modern dance – a form born in America – as the language through which to communicate.  I think this is reflective of His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s beliefs that, while we should honor the different beliefs and practices of other cultures, nationality is not really important. What is important is that we recognize we are all human beings and we need to treat each other with dignity and compassion.

Tibetans have endured such oppression, loss – some groups have called it genocide -- at the hands of the Chinese government, and yet they remain peaceful in their struggle and their spirit is so resilient. Many former Tibetan political prisoners who endured torture for years will say they have compassion for their torturers. Because Tibetans have not resorted to headline-grabbing suicide bombings or terrorist attacks, much of the world does not pay attention to their situation. The lack of support for and knowledge of their peaceful route is so very disheartening. I worry that some Tibetan activist groups will give up the non-violent path because they see their homeland and their heritage slipping away and very little international attention is given to it. I know this dance will not make a difference in the status of Tibet. However, if it allows some people to have a better knowledge and understanding of the situation in Tibet and what we can learn from Tibetans about compassion, I will feel I have accomplished what I set out to do. Perhaps it will move them enough to get involved in a human rights or activist organization or to help provide relief for children in Tibetan exile schools.

The arts have the power to tap into our humanity and help us learn to care more deeply and to be more fully present in the world and in our daily lives. When you can create something that is beautiful that also helps people connect on a more intimate level to other human beings and perhaps even delve into their own identity, you are making art rather than entertainment. 

“I speak not with a feeling of anger or hatred towards those who are responsible for the immense suffering of our people and the destruction of our land, homes and culture. They too are human beings who struggle to find happiness and deserve our compassion. I speak to inform you of the sad situation in my country today and of the aspirations of my people, because in our struggle for freedom, truth is the only weapon we possess.”

-- His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama

   Nobel lecture, December 11, 1989

Past Projects:

“Born of the ‘Boro”

Project Description

                 “Born of the ‘Boro” is a collaborative, multi-media project involving Blue Moves Modern Dance Company and local visual artists, musicians and writers.  From submissions publicly solicited during the summer of 2006, company members chose visual art and prose to use as inspiration for choreography. Local musicians are working with the choreographers and their selected works of art to create original musical scores for the choreography. The project will culminate in a dance production at the Rutherford County Center for the Arts on March 23 and 24, 2007, in addition to a visual art exhibit at the Center during the month of March

                Although Blue Moves has collaborated with musicians and writers before, this is the first time choreographers have incorporated visual art, prose and commissioned music all in one production, and the synergy created by infusing local artists of different media into the choreographic process is exhilarating. The performance is expected to consist of four dances and include spoken word, projected images of visual art and some live music. Choreographers are working in pairs, taking the theme of collaboration even further by working together on choreography. Two of the dances are based on Grayson White’s surreal tale “The Peacock and the Pearl,” one dance is inspired by  excerpts of Jonathan Harrison’s self-labeled “proem,” “The Last Big Thing,” and one dance takes shape and theme from David Lundquist’s painting, “Illuminudies.” The selected composers’ musical styles range from bluegrass to symphonic spy rock.

                The gallery exhibit at the Center for the Arts, running February 28 through March 24^th, 2007, will showcase a range of works by the three participating visual artists. The company expects to incorporate live music and dance in the opening reception on Saturday, March 3. Blue Moves is proud to be part of the rich creative tradition of Murfreesboro and is excited to be able to share the diverse talent of many local artists in one production.

Participating artists, in addition to Blue Moves Modern Dance Company:

Laine Cantrell, Rebecca Gillespie, David Lundquist:   visual artists

David Cannon, Ernie Gray, Jeff Holt, Kris White:  musicians

Jonathan Harrison, Grayson White:  writers

“Born of the ‘Boro”                                  

Friday and Saturday, March 23 and 24, 2007      

7:30 p.m.

Murfreesboro/Rutherford County Center for the Arts                

Tickets:  $10 adults, $6 students                             

Gallery Opening, featuring the work of Laine Cantrell, Rebecca Gillespie and David Lundquist

Saturday, March 3, 2007  5-7 p.m.

The Glenn Frederick Repertory Dance Theatre presents its inaugural performance, Tsunami Echoes: Katrina Cries, April 22-23 at Vanderbilt’s Ingram Hall.

Initially inspired by the devastating effects of the 2004 Asian tsunami, the company formed with a common need to respond and provide relief to those affected. When Hurricane Katrina tore through the Gulf Coast the following year, the dancers were led to incorporate the local disaster into their creative process. Tsunami Echoes: Katrina Cries is the journey of dancers from all walks of life, their response to the storms, their depiction of those affected and the promise of hope in tomorrow.

"Artists respond to life-changing events by creating art. That is why I formed this company," said Glenn Frederick, artistic director. "I was unable to just sit still while so many people worldwide were suffering, so I gathered a group of talented, dedicated and thoughtful dancers to help me conceive a show rooted in human need and spirit. There’s something in the human spirit that can be restored after facing tragedy, and we’d like to help that process along – both through tangible aid and an artistic acknowledgement of their pain."

Frederick, a native of Trinidad, formed the Glenn Frederick Repertory Dance Theatre in January 2005. Before coming to Nashville, he was a member of the National Dance Company of Trinidad and Tobago. He also founded the LaBrea Performance Theatre in Trinidad and choreographed the Caribbean Music Awards in 1993, held at the Apollo Theater. Locally, he has taught at the Global Education Center, Vanderbilt University and the Village Cultural Arts Center, among others.

Tsunami Echoes, Katrina Cries will explore the origins and outcomes of the tragedies from all angles, as the dancers become the earth, atmosphere, towns, people and animals through the choreography. Some original music was created for this show, and sounds and pictures will be used to depict certain aspects of the natural disasters.

The dancers in the company are volunteering their talent for this cause, most of them working full time jobs, attending school and/or raising families in the meantime. The entire company plans to visit New Orleans in April to observe firsthand the effects of Hurricane Katrina and to help rebuild the city so rich in culture and history.

In turn, Frederick hopes to offer those in the audience a small piece of the inspiration they gain not only from this visit to New Orleans, but also the process of putting the show together since early 2005.

"When you present a art form such as dance, it’s not absolute in its meaning or message. Each person can take something different, something unique to their situation away with them," said Frederick. "It is my hope that our performance will provide something that is beautiful to watch as well as something that educates the audience about the world around them. This company exists to educate as much as it entertains. We want to make a difference."

The show will open with a performance by the Glenn Frederick Repertory Dance Theatre, and also will feature guest choreography from the American Academy of Dance of Hendersonville, the Village Cultural Arts Center’s Village Drum and Dance Ensemble, and Blue Moves Modern Dance Company of Murfreesboro. Members of both companies, as well as students from the American Academy of Dance, will perform alongside the Glenn Frederick Repertory Dance Theatre throughout the main production, Tsunami Echoes: Katrina Cries.

A portion of the proceeds from the performances will be donated to disaster relief funds.

Tsunami Echoes: Katrina Cries is made possible by the Metro Nashville Arts Commission, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Tennessee Arts Commission through their funding a creation grant written on behalf of the Glenn Frederick Repertory Dance Theatre by the Village Cultural Arts Center. It is also sponsored in part by Caterpillar Financial Group, also through the efforts of the Village Cultural Arts Center.

The Glenn Frederick Repertory Dance Theatre educates and entertains by presenting a repertoire of dance based on indigenous cultures and modern occurrences, with a strong commitment to participating in relief efforts directed at supporting those subjected to the obstacles and beauty of the human race.