Split Stitch by GroundWorks DanceTheater

Northeast Ohio’s premier dance company will celebrate its 11th consecutive year at the historic Ice House on Akron’s Northside with exciting new work by New York’s Jill Sigman, as well as GroundWorks Artistic Director David Shimotakahar and Artistic Associate Amy Miller, and the Akron premiere of a highly acclaimed piece by internationally renowned choreographer Dianne McIntyre.

GroundWorks DanceTheater will present the world premiere of “Split Stitch,” a commissioned work by Sigman with original score by GroundWorks Music Director, Gustavo Aguilar. Sigman describes her work as "experimental dance theater" and "movement-based performance." Classically trained in ballet with a Ph.D. in philosophy, she feels that with each piece she creates, whether in residencies such as with GroundWorks or with her own company, thinkdance, she is also creating a new process of physical exploration and improvisation which gets channeled into new bodies, characters and movements.

Shimotakahara and Miller’s new work, “DnA,” is a duet they’ve created collaboratively to honor their close creative partnership in GroundWorks over the past 12 years, said Shimotakahara. Miller announced in late June that she is moving to New York City with her husband who will be studying at the prestigious French Culinary Institute. She will continue to have creative ties with GroundWorks.

Also on the program will be the Akron premiere of McIntyre’s Just Yesterday set to an original score by Olu Dara. Based on various company members’ family histories, the piece has been described as “whimsical,” “endearing” and “potent.” Wrote one reviewer: “McIntyre’s seamless weave of events abounds in communal joy, ethnic pride and touching details, as well as sober remembrances.” (Donald Rosenberg, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Jan. 24, 2010)

The Friday, September 3 and Saturday, September 4 concerts will begin at 8:00 pm with a matinee on Sunday, September 5 at 2:00 pm. The Ice House, part of the Northside Ice/Coal Factory Complex, is located at 129 North Summit Street (between Perkins and Furnace Streets) in Akron.

Tickets are $18 for regular admission and $12 for seniors and students and can be purchased by calling GroundWorks at 216-691-3180, ext. 2.