Mapping & Glaciers.

September 17-25, 2022

Premiered to sold out audiences at the Midtown Arts Theater Complex Houston (MATCH)

Maps. Geology. Boundaries.Shifting surfaces. Subterranean navigation.Ice. Water. Wind. Carbon.Altered landscapes.

Physical. Mental. Emotional. Imaginary. Real. 

Choreography/Direction/Videos & Sets: Karen Stokes

Original Music: Samuel Lipman 

Recording Artists: Matt Armbruster, Patrice Calixte, Karl Mitze, Megan Zapfe

Performers: Brittany Bass, Bethany Logan, Bryan Bradley Peck, Michelle Reyes, Davis Stumberg

Lighting Design and video consultant: Clint Allen

Costumes (Act 2): Ashley Horn Nott

This project was supported by individual donations, ticket sales, and by a Groundwork grant via Dance Source Houston.

The first half is cold, dark, frenetic - entertaining and fascinating - but it made me feel uneasy. The second half works its way from the people (the dancers) literally mapping, and having maps projected on their bodies - maybe you could say discovering their world - to learning how to catch each other when they fall - to the final movement, appropriately titled "Connect". In this last part, the people (the dancers) seem content, nonchalant, even; they have both hands in their pockets, and move more than before, in unison, they smile, they seem to enjoy each other, in fact, they seem to love each other. And then, in the simplest way, they let us, the audience, know that we're part of it all. It's sublime, and heartwarming, and what theater should be all the time. -Philip Lehl on Mapping & Glaciers-

In Memoriam.

Click for an essay by Karen Stokes about beloved KSD dancer Vi Dieu, who left us on August 5, 2020. 

September 27, 2020

Video shoot for project Mapping & Glaciers at the MATCH, originally slated to premiere as immersive performance in 2021.  Video shoot done with solo dancers and projections, conceived to be part of the projection aspect of project.

February 4-7, 2020

Karen Stokes Dance Discovery Series "Framing Dance" at Ziklha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.  Special evening performance for families on Wednesday February 5.  For information about the Discovery Series: Discovery Series at theHobby Center.

For information about Framing Dance:  KSD Educational Programming.  Alonzo Moore joined KSD as our "master of ceremonies" for Framing Dance 2020.

September 10, 2019

Artistic Director Karen Stokes joins Houston Grand Opera project "Exploring Your Creative Identity," a new adult learning experience for those 55+, a six week cours led by industry professionas are HGOco's Senior Educational Manager Alisa Magallon.  KSD is excited by the new collaborative relationship with Houston Grand Opera via "Exploring Your Creative Activity" & "Transforming Mind & Spirit." We look forward to future partnerships with HGOco.

August 25, 2019

Karen Stokes Dance at Theater District Open House, Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.  KSD performs "Pedestrian Blues," a trio originally created for Houston Grand Opera project "Transforming the Mind & Spirit."  Mistress of Ceremonies for KSD Theater Day: Tonnie Walker Beck, Board Vice President for KSD.

May 20, 2019

Transforming Mind & Spirit

DATE & TIME:  May 20 at 7pm

Houston Grand Opera brings together an eclectic group of artists, musicians and thought-leaders in spirituality and creativity for an interactive evening of live performance and art making, audience engagement and reflections about creativity through the lens of art & music, mysticism & spirituality, mental health, and science.

FOR INFO/TICKETS:  Houston Grand Opera Transforming Mind & Spirit

Participants: 

January 15, 2019

Ruby Slippers Celebration

Off the Wall Art Gallery in the Galleria, Houston, TX.

Karen Stokes Dance performs site-duet for "Off the Wall Art Gallery" in Houston Galleria to celebrate their 40th year anniversary. 

Performers: Jerrica Mark and Bradley Bryan Peck.

October 19-20, 2018

Gallery Construction (premiere)

A multi-media performance featured seven short films inspired by installations in Houston area galleries from 2011-2017. Galleries included the former Peel Gallery, Art League of Houston, and the former Rice University Art Gallery.  The artist (installations) that inspired the films: Gabriel  Dawe, Tanya Aguiniga, Roberta Stokes, Yasuaki Onishi, Soo Sunny Park, Anila Quaayyum Agha, and Thornsten Brinkmann.  Four KSD company members interacted with film and a three diminsional screen in a unique film/art/dance experience.

Choreography, film, and set:  Karen Stokes

Location:  The MATCH at 3400 Main St, Houston, TX 77002

Time:  7:00pm & 9:00pm

Tickets:  matchouston.org  SOLD OUT

September 9, 2018

Reunite/Reunir:  Benefit Performnce to reunite children with families at the border.

Organized by Hopestone Inc.

Time:  4pm & 6pm

Location: The MATCH at 3400 Main St. Houston, TX 77002

August 26, 2018

Theater District Day Open House

KSD Peformance time: 2:00pm.

12:00-4:00 pm (Lobby table open)

Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

July 23-August 4, 2018

KSD Sixth Annual BOOT CAMP

Two weeks of dance technique classes by a mixed slate of outstanding teachers.  Int-Adv level.

Location: University of Houston. 

Information about instructors & registration in May.

April 13, 2018

"Music That Should be Danced"

Deconstruction of "Space" Duet to new original music by Eric Heumann, played by Apollo Chamber Group

Choreographed by Karen Stokes, Performed by Jerrica Mark & Bryan Bradley Peck

Commisioned by Foundation for Modern Music

Location:  Miller Theater

Time:  8:00 pm

Free & open to the public.

February 7-10, 2018

Framing Dance:  A Discovery Series

Zilkha Hall  Hobby Center for Performing Arts

9:30 am & 11:30 am performances  FULLY BOOKED

Reservations:  Annalisa Minnitti <Annalisa@thehobbycenter.org>

Information: Education Projects

KSD Framing Dance Teaching Artist Residencies at Wharton Elementary School and Atherton Elementary School, January-February 2018.

November 6, 2017

Review-Preview:   X20

Karen Stokes will discuss the devleopment of her original dance work over the last 20 years.

Location:  The MATCH at 3400 st, Houston, TX 77002

Time:  7:00pm

Free and open to the public.

November 10-11, 2017

X20

KSD celebrates 20 years with special appearences by company alums, repertory performances, and the premiere of a new work titled "Mapping & Glaciers."

Location:  The MATCH at 3400 st, Houston, TX 77002

Time:  8:00 pm

Tickets:  matchouston.org

Tickets by phone:  713-521-4533

September 9, 2017 (re-scheduled due to Harvey)

NEW DATE FOR THIS PROJECT:  OCTOBER 6, 2017

Color Remix

A site performance that relates to "Arcade," an art isntalltion by The Color Condition at Discovery Green and Avenida Houston as part of "Color the Ave" Celebration at Discovery Green.  With special guest musician Terrence Karn in front of the George R  Brown Convention Center.

Location:  1500 McKinney St, Houston, Tx 77010

Time: 7:00 pm

''Color Remix' was devloped in a residency at Discovery Green made possible by a generous grant from The Humphreys Foundation

February 7-10, 2017

Framing Dance:  A Discovery Series

TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF FRAMING DANCE

Zilkha Hall  Hobby Center for Performing Arts

9:30 am & 11:30 am performances  FULLY BOOKED

Reservations:  Annalisa Minnitti <Annalisa@thehobbycenter.org>

Information: Education Projects

March 5, 2017

Performance of Duet for French Pavilion at the French Consulate

March 27, 2017

KSD performance at ribbon cutting ceremony for the Borders, Trade, and Immigration Institute at the University of Houston.

July 17-29, 2017

KSD Fifth Annual BOOT CAMP

Two weeks of dance technique classes by a mixed slate of outstanding teachers.  Int-Adv level.

Location: University of Houston. 

Information about instructors & registration in May.

August 27, 2017

Theater District Day Open House CANCELLED DUE TO HARVEY.  From KSD: 

We are sorry to miss all our friends - and send out hope for the rebuliding of this great city.

Zilkha Hall Hobby Center for Performing Arts

KSD Peformance time TBA

12:00-4:00 pm (Lobby table open)

3:45pm KSD performs

February 2-4, 2016

Framing Dance:  A Discovery Series

TENTH ANNIVERSARY OF FRAMING DANCE

Zilkha Hall  Hobby Center for Performing Arts

9:30 am & 11:30 am performances  FULLY BOOKED

Reservations:  Annalisa Minnitti <Annalisa@thehobbycenter.org>

Information: Education Projects

February 19, 2016

"Tree People"

Karen Stokes Dance returns to Discovery Green for a performance that interacts with the installation Field of Light by Bruce Munro

Time:   7:00 pm & 7:40 pm

Location: Location: Discovery Green®  park in downtown Houston

1500 McKinney  MAP

March 8-13, 2016

"Just Us"

Rehearsal Director Bryan Peck sets repertory work "Just Us" on dance students at University of Wisconsin, Eau Clare.

July 18-July 30, 2016

KSD Fourth Annual Boot Camp!

Two weeks of dance technique classes by a mixed slate of outstanding teachers.  Int-Adv level.

Location: University of Houston. 

August 28, 2016

Theater District Day Open House

Zilkha Hall Hobby Center for Performing Arts

KSD Peformance time TBA

12:00-4:00 pm (Lobby table open)

October 20-22, 2016

"DEEP: Seaspace"

The culminating staged performance of the DEEP: Seaspace initiative.

Original music by Bill Ryan.

Further information pending (regarding reservations & times).

Zilkha Hall Hobby Center for Performing Arts

In Houston, it’s Karen Stokes who comes to mind as an artist tightly tied to Texas. I named Stokes a choreographer of “place” over a decade ago when she created Hometown, her choral/kinetic poem to the Bayou City. Now heading up Karen Stokes Dance, she’s exploring the ground truth with "Backstage at Allen's Landing," nine art and performance installations that reflect on the landscape, history, architecture, and habitat of a historic Houston site named for Houston founders Augustus Chapman Allen and John Kirby Allen . . .  She is not only the choreographer of Houston but on Houston.  Nancy Wozny on "Backstage at Allen's Landing." -

February 3-5, 2015

Framing Dance:  A Discovery Series

Zilkha Hall  Hobby Center for Performing Arts

9:30 am & 11:30 am performances FULLY BOOKED

Reservations:  Annalisa Minnitti <Annalisa@thehobbycenter.org>

Information: Education Projects

April 19, 2015

"Ten Tiny Dances" 

10 different choreographers will be showing solos on a 4x4 platform. Brittany Bass will perform a solo by Karen Stokes as part of the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts CounterCurrent Festival. 

11 am Brunch, 12 noon Performances

Location: Adjacent to 13 Celsius, 3000 Caroline Street

Information:  CounterCurrent Festival

April 26, 2015 

"Backstage at Allen's Landing"  SOLD OUT 

The University of Houston Interdisciplinary Arts course "Site Performance," explores "Allen's Landing" on the north White Oak side of the site under the direction of Karen Stokes. On April 26, guests can engage with this exploration through a special walking tour with surprise performances by students and KSD dancers that relate to the architecture, landscape, and history of the site. 

Location: White Oak Bayou at Wood Street between N.Main and San Jacinto Blvd, Downtown Houston

Reservations required. 

June 5-6, 2015 

MARAVILLOSO 2015: The Water Festival

KSD premieres "Drench" at Discovery Green at 8:30pm.  DRENCH TRAILER

Evening includes performance by Chanson d'Eau, a Belgium performance group http://www.chansondeau.com/index.php 

Location: Discovery Green Park in downtown Houston

More information: http://www.discoverygreen.com/circus

July 20-August 1, 2015

KSD Third Annual Boot Camp!

Two weeks of dance technique classes by a mixed slate of outstanding teachers.  Int-Adv level.

Location: University of Houston. 

August 30, 2015

Theater District Day Open House

Zilkha Hall Hobby Center for Performing Arts

KSD Peformance time TBA

12:00-4:00 pm (Lobby table open)

October 18, 2015

"Sunset at White Oak Bayou"

A site specific work near Allen's Landing, part of the DEEP: Seaspace initiative.

Original music by Brad Sayles, played live by Heights 5 Brass.

Further information pending (regarding reservations & times).

RAIN DATE:  November 1, 2015

February 4-6, 2014

Framing Dance:  A Discovery Series

Zilkha Hall  Hobby Center for Performing Arts

9:30 am & 11:30 am performances FULLY BOOKED

Reservations:  Annalisa Minnitti <Annalisa@thehobbycenter.org>

Information:  www.karenstokesdance.org

June 1, 2014

"Black & White"  A new duet by Karen Stokes with music by Tiziana De Carolis

To be performed at an open house for the exhibition "Ailleurs/Elsewhere" curated by Yvonamor Palix.  Hosted by the Honorable Sujiro Seam, Consul General of France, and wife, Jane Seam.

Limited seating for performance, please RSVP: <ypalix@yvonamorpalixart.com>

Time:  4:00 pm

Location:  1904 Kirby Drive, Houston 77019

Performers:  Yahudi Castaneda and Bryan Peck

NOTE:  Exhibition open to the public from 11am-5pm on May 31 and June 1.

August 24, 2014

Theater Day Performance

Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for Performing Arts

12:00-4:00 pm

September 30 - Oct 2, 2014

"Dance, Film, & Conversation"

Time:  7:30 pm

Location:  The Barn, 2201 Preston St, Houston

Tickets & Info

An evening that includes live performance by KSD, dance for camera projects, and a conversation with the artists.  Will include elements from DEEP:Seaspace projects.  September 30 will be special student showing, Oct 1 & 2:  General public.

October 3 & 4, 2014

Brazos Contemporary Dance Festival

Time:  7:30 pm

Location:  College Station, Texas

Information:  http://www.brazosdance.org/

Performance of "Dualities: Black & White,"  music by Tiziana De Carolis.

January 29-31, 2013

Framing Dance, A Discovery Series

9:30 am & 11:30 am Shows  FULLY BOOKED

Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for Performing Arts

Interested Teachers:  Framing Dance

January 26, 2013

Artopia

KSD performs at Houston Press's annual celebration. 

KSD received a 2013 Masterminds Award from Houston Press.

For information: ARTOPIA 2013

August 25, 2013

Theater Day Performance

Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for Performing Arts

12:00-4:00 pm

KSD Performance:  12:55 pm

October 1, 2013

The Methodist Hospital
Center for Performing Arts Medicine
Lobby, 6565 Fannin Street

Noon



November 15-17, 2012

Vine Leaf Dances

An Evening of Short Works

Barnevelder Theater 2201 Preston St.

8:00 pm  SOLD OUT

August 26, 2012

Theater Day Performance

Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for Performing Arts

12:00-4:00 pm

KSD Performance:  12:45 pm

June 15-16, 2012

Gallery Constructions 1-3

A new dance for camera project.

Big Range Dance Festival

Barnevelder Theater 2201 Preston St

8:00 pm

January 29-31, 2012

Framing Dance

Discovery Series

Zilkha Hall Hobby Center for Performing Arts

9:30 & 11:30 am shows SOLD OUT

• February 1-3, 2011:  Framing Dance Discovery Series at Zilkha Hall with open to public performance on February 2, 2011 at 7:30 pm.  Framing Dance Discovery Series was fully booked for our 2011 season - thank you to the Hobby Center & Young Audiences. See Docu-Short here:  Framing Dance 2010
• February 18, 2011:  Choreographer & Composer Exchange with Jane Weiner of Hopestone, Karen Stokes, Bill Ryan, and Todd Reynolds.  Wortham Theater Lab 208 at 6:00 pm. See video here:  The Exchange 2011
• March 3 & 4, 2011:  12 Minutes Max at Diverse Works, Houston.  Excerpts from 2 new works, including a sneak peek at collaboration with composer Bill Ryan.  7:30 pm.
• March-April 2011:  Film Shoot:  Bob Dorough (jazz composer/musician) film project "FOAM".
• October 20-22, 2011:  The Secondary Colors at Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston. The Secondary Colors was presented in partnership with the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts at the University of Houston. The project was a first time collaboration between  composer Bill Ryan & Karen Stokes. The premiere featured musical artists David Cossin, Michael Lowenstern, Jonathan Nichol, Todd Reynolds, Andrew Russo, and Pablo Mahave-Veglia.
  

Major Projects: 1999-2009

2009:  The Recycle Club, Barnevelder Movement Arts, Houston

2008:  Portables, Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston

2007:  Framing Dance, Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston

2006:  Hometown, Zilkha Hall, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Houston

2005:  Pronoun Pieces, Barnevelder Movement Arts, Houston

2003:  Hometown (premiere), First Annual Big Range Dance Festival, Barnevelder Movement Arts, Houston

2000: Three, co-created with Kimberly Karpanty & Rebecca Malcolm-Naib, Travesty Dance Group, Merce Cunningham Performance Space, NYC

1999:  Perhaps By Tomorrow, Texas Contemporary Dance, Miller Outdoor Theater, Houston