Premiered October 2020 for The Luckman Presents Los Angeles Dance Festival. Awarded: Director's Pick-of-the-Festival. Cinematographer: Joseph Cicio Performers: Zac Greenberg and Charlotte Smith Director: Angeline Herron Editor: Scott Kelley Colorist: Jose Hernandez Donate to the artists at: https://venmo.com/code?user_id=2126495661162496225 or on Venmo @CharlotteKatherineAndCo
"Pyriscence was choreographed and danced by Charlotte Katherine Smith with a mournful score and on-screen performance by Composer/Upright Bass player Zac Greenberg. One of the best explanations of the word Pyriscence that I found was “Pyriscence can be understood as an adaptation to an environment in which fires are regular, and in which post-fire environments offer the best germination and seedling survival rates”. Smith speaks about how many of us feel as if the entire world is on fire, driving us inside, and leaving us to look inward for a path to renewal. Smith chose a burned-out landscape to film Pyriscence, dressed in a long white dress, signaling purification, with Greenberg wearing a floral patterned sarong style skirt, a nod to rejuvenation. Smith’s movement is primarily slow pace, restive, reflective and loving. Throughout this beautiful film she ponders the situation around her, longs for what has been lost and how to move forward. Pyriscence was directed by Angeline Herron, the stunning cinematography was by Joseph Cicio; Edited by Scott Kelly; Colorist was Jose Hernandez; and Costumes by Diana MacNeil." By Jeff Slayton | Oct 20, 2020
Check out the full review here: https://www.ladancechronicle.com/week-three-of-la-dance-festival-2020-best-thus-far/
Appalachian Trail
Commissioned by Concert NOVA of Cincinnati, OH for their virtual travel music concert, Appalachia. Premiered October 14th 2020. Composer/Performer: Zac Greenberg Choreographer/Performer: Charlotte Smith
Sixth Sense
Created as part of the Virtual Digital, Dance, and Music Collaboration Workshop as part of the Seoul International Dance Festival in TANK. Premiered July 2020 in collaboration with Korean choreographer, Jeong Mi Young and NYC composer, Zac Greenberg. Original video film footage premiered July 31st, 2020 at LA Dance Festival presented by the Luckman Fine Arts Complex.
Director/Editor: Scott Kelley Colorist: Jose Hernandez Click here to watch the film: vimeo.com/437305817
"Though her movements are simple, the rocking is enhanced by quick panning shots, which distort the direction of her body, often making it appear as though she is falling off of the hill. The disorientation knocks the viewer for a loop, intentionally disrupting and upending the choreography, similarly to Sauma’s Coalesce. Sixth Sense however more solidly reflects an altered state of mind and a dizzying sense of self. The Director and Director of Photography: Scott Kelley, Editor: Jose Hernandez." Lara J. Altunian | Aug 6, 2020
Read the full review here: https://www.ladancechronicle.com/the-virtual-la-dance-festival-showcases-quarantines-most-necessary-skill-adaptability/
Cavernous Consciousness
Premiered: July 2020 at the virtual Seoul International Dance Festival in TANK (Korea) Director/DP/Editor: Katherine Grace Murphy Performer: Charlotte Katherine Composer: Zac Greenberg: Call of the Corycian Cave Colorist: Karbis Sarafyan Click here to watch the film: vimeo.com/432257200
Perspective
A dance film commissioned by Los Angeles Dance Festival, Dance Camera West, and the LA Department of Cultural Affairs for the LA virtual dance film festival: Dance From LA, Off the Stage and Onto the Screen. Director/Editor/DP: Glyn Gray Performers: Charlotte Smith and Zac Greenberg Set Design: Charlotte Smith Sound: Zac Greenberg Premiered: June 23, 2020
"Delicate spins paired with Zac Greenberg’s deep bass melodies invoke a calm ambience, occasionally disrupted by slightly erratic movements embodying moments of realization within an ongoing thought process. As the music’s pace quickens, so does her waltz, which transitions into pauses full of outstretched arms, hand-staring, and close-ups on the dancer’s face. One of Virtual LADF’s longer pieces, there is a repetitiveness to the routine, which works well, considering the number’s overall message. One final movement features Smith lying on the floor while hugging the instrument that kept her flowing throughout the work, personifying what might be an epiphany or peaceful mental surrender — a satisfying conclusion." Lara J. Altunian | Aug 6, 2020 Read the full review here: https://www.ladancechronicle.com/the-virtual-la-dance-festival-showcases-quarantines-most-necessary-skill-adaptability/
Les Petits Plaisirs de la Vie
An ongoing work in progress which reminds its audience to enjoy the beautiful moments present in every day life. We are each granted opportunities to find joy in “life’s little pleasures”; this work explores treasuring these magical moments as an individual and the benefits of generously sharing them with our communities. The goal of this work is to remind ourselves to be grateful for the people and moments in our lives that remind us to carry gratitude with us as we realize our potential as individuals and as a collective. Concepts for the individual sections were inspired by seemingly mundane, but decidedly magical moments from the cast’s own experiences: Music by Benjamin Marx. Edited by Zac Greenberg. Original cast: Katherine Murphy, Hyosun Choi, Taylor Unwin, Leslie Duner, Charlotte Smith. Rehearsal Director: Leslie Duner Premiere: Los Angeles Dance Festival: Fringe April 2019 Additional performances: LADF Main-Stage at the Luckman Fine Arts Complex, LA (TBD 2020). DanceBACK at the Madrid Theater, Canoga Park, CA November 2019.
." Warm light, wistful glances and strong bonds between the performers create a comforting contrast to the rest of the lineup, emphasizing the general feelings many of us have been craving during the pandemic: closeness and unity." Lara J. Altunian | Aug 6, 2020 Read the full review here: https://www.ladancechronicle.com/the-virtual-la-dance-festival-showcases-quarantines-most-necessary-skill-adaptability/
"With extensions for days, classical gestures, and magical acting, finally something joyful and soulful in the often bogged down, avantgarde world of modern dance." -Amber Adams BroadwayWorld.com https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/article/BWW-Review-LA-DANCE-FESTIVAL-FRINGE-FRIDAY-at-The-Diavolo-Space-20190502
"Each châinés was followed by captivating looks upward, as the women leaned on one another, then extended their arms and cupped their hands as though attempting to grab the ethereal. Theirs was by far the most heartwarming of the evening." -Lara J. Altunian for LA Dance Chronicle https://www.ladancechronicle.com/fringes-opening-night-reveals-an-edgier-side-to-la-dance/ Photo by: Ginger Sole
Original Performer: Heather Francis Music: "Feet" by Zac Greenberg and Sam Katz International premiere: Seoul International Dance Festival in TANK: Seoul, South Korea. July 2019 National premiere: The Power of Music and Dance: Cincinnati, OH. April 2018 Local premiere: PGK Dance Project presents at San Diego Art Walk. May 2017. Other performances: MashUp's Dance's International Women's Day Festival, Closing Night Celebration (2021), Los Angeles Dance Festival FRINGE (2018), DanceBACK in Los Angeles (2017)
The Power of Music and Dance
An evening length, dance and music concert commissioned by Musicians for Health at the historic Memorial Hall in Cincinnati, OH April 2018. Choreographer: Charlotte Katherine Smith Composer: Zac Greenberg Rehearsal Director: Leslie Duner Alvarez Dancers: Leslie Duner, Alan Perez, Moises Josue Michel and Charlotte Smith Orchestra: concertNOVA Raised over $70K for cancer research.
LIMIT
A quartet of zooming dynamic dancers pushing their movement to the limit. Music by "Athena's Wrath" by Zac Greenberg Orignal cast: Leslie Duner, Moises Josue Michel, Alan Perez, Charlotte Smith Premiere: Los Angeles Dance Festival Fringe April 2018 Additional performance: The Power of Music presented by Musicians for Health in Cincinnati, OH April 2018. Photo by Paul Antico.
Cave
Dropped in a deep dark cave, the dancer explores their new environment and familiarizes themselves with their new reality. Music: "The Call of Corycian Cave" by Zac Greenberg. Original dancer: Alan Perez. Premiered at CMDC's 5th Anniversary showcase in January 2018. Presented by Musician's For Heath in The Power of Music at the historic Memorial Hall in Cincinnati April 2018. Also performed by Charlotte Smith at The Madrid Theatre, Canoga Park, CA in February 2020.
Jupiter Rising
Music by Zac Greenberg Premiere: danced by Alan Perez at Voices of LA ARTISTS December 2017 Additional performances danced by Leslie Duner: The Power of Music Cincinnati, OH April 2018. LADF Summer Dance Series June 2018. Photo by Denise Leitner
Burning Bell
A collaborative work with live taiko drumming by Taiko Center of LA's Director Willie Wu. Premiered at WHDF in August 2017. Restaged at LA Theatre Center in January 2018. Original cast of dancers: Sarah Butler, Moises Josue Michel, Leslie Duner, Hyosun Choi, Jessica Harper, Heather Francis, and Charlotte Smith. Photo of Alan Perez and Charlotte Smith.
Bending Inward
Choreography by: Charlotte Katherine in collaboration with dancer, Leslie Duner. Music: "Sin for a Sin" by Zac Greenberg Premiered August 2016 in the West Hollywood Dance Festival Additional performances: Voices of LA ARTISTS. LA, CA. 12/11/16. PGK Dance Project presents at San Diego Art Walk 05/30/17. Power of Musiccomissioned by Musicians for Health. Cincinnati, OH 04/22/18.
"Together, they seamlessly partnered through the space, lifting and melting into one another. There was a movement theme of imbalance and falling that moved the piece forward and carried with it an emotional drive that was not overdone, but instead read honest and visceral," Beth Megill. Full review of WHDF: https://ladancereview.com/2016/08/27/powerful-start-to-the-west-hollywood-dance-festival/
DEAD OASIS
Restaging of 'Bending Inward'. Reimagined by Director: Katherine Grace Murphy and created by CMF Productions in Borrego Springs, CA. Dance film/music video for "Sin for a Sin" by Zac Greenberg.
Choreographed and performed by: Charlotte Katherine in collaboration with Graphic Designers: Marylouise McGraw and Charles Lin. Premiered August, 2016 at Pasadena Art Center College of Design
"HAPPINA": a full sensory theatrical experience (inspired by the life and philosophy of Pina Bausch combined with the spirit of the Happenings) in a series of moments that captures the essence of these groundbreaking art movements in a modern day environment.