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-
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
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
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
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
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
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
KSD is a 501c3 non-profit company, and all donations are tax-deductible to the full extent allowed by law.
Karen Stokes Dance has been presenting original dance theater & educational programming in Houston Texas for over 20 years.
Karen Stokes has been twice recognized as the "best choreographer in Houston" and received a Masterminds award from Houston Press.