A little over a decade ago, BodyVox was formed as a pick-up dance troupe to fulfill a commission for the Portland Opera in Oregon. Eleven years later, BodyVox has choreographed three operas, created six original shows and toured the United States.
The Sun Valley Center for the Arts brings BodyVox to the Wood River Valley on Saturday, March 8, to perform at the Community Campus auditorium in Hailey. Tickets are $25 for members, $30 for non-members and $5 for children 12 and under. In addition, BodyVox will conduct a number of residency activities in the community from Thursday, March 6, through Friday, March 7.
BodyVox presents dance in a physical and imaginative arrangement revealing a large spectrum of dance movements and presentations. The troupe has received critical acclaim for projects ranging from choreography for the Academy Awards to music videos for Sting, U2, Pat Metheny, John Fogerty and others.
The combination of athleticism and a honed theatrical performance is similar to dance companies such as Pilobolus and MOMIX. Funny, witty and whimsical, BodyVox also combines several forms of dance with media and stage design to present an "innovative" and "uninhibited" performance, according to dance critics and audiences.
"BodyVox crosses boundaries between dance, storytelling, cinema and comedy," said Dan Mankin, performing arts director for Sun Valley Center for the Arts. "They speak to our emotions and desires in a sublimely physical way."
BodyVox artistic directors Jamey Hampton and Ashley Roland were dancers with MOMIX and co-founders of ISO Dance. Hampton is also a musician who has released two CDs. Roland has danced throughout Europe, Canada and the United States as a solo performer. The pair received Emmy awards for their work on the public television production "Episodes." In addition to its live performances, BodyVox has created several films that have won numerous awards in national and international.
For more information, call 726-9491 or visit sunvalleycenter.org.
BodyVox residency activities
Thursday, March 6
9-10 a.m., lecture demonstration at The Community School in Sun Valley.
3:45- 5:15 p.m., Footlight Dance master class in Hailey with 15-20 dancers with no beginners.
7:30-9 p.m., ballet school master class at the YMCA in Ketchum with 10-15 dancers and no beginners.
Friday, March 7
9-10:15 a.m., "Over 60 and Getting Fit" class at the Community Campus in Hailey.
1-2:15 p.m., master class at the Wood River High School with 8-15 actors.