Amrita Performing Arts and Epic Arts present
Public Showing of A Contemporary Dance Workshop
"Embracing the silence"
Saturday 22th September, 2012, 6.30PM
Department of Performing Arts
Credits
Choreographers: Chumvan Sodhachivy (Belle), Nam Narim
Dancers: Chumvan Sodhachivy (Belle), Dam Es Ary, Ken Sokna, Nam Narim, Ork Sovy, and Yoem Mary
Produced by: Amrita Performing Arts and Epic Arts
Tech Crews: Keo Thy, Som Khemrei
Music Courtesy of: Christopher Benstead
Musical Numbers: The Edge of Reason, Rhythm Box One Step At A Time, All in The Mind Anticipation, JumpUp, Resolution No. 1
Amrita Performing Arts Executive Director: Fred Frumberg
Program Director: Kang Rithisal
Office Manager: Va Chamnann
Production Coordinator: Hourt Bunny
Office Assistant: Lim Chanboramy
Media Assistant: Lim Hout Chhay
Epic Arts
Programme Manager: Onn Sokny
Advisor: Hallam Goad
Performance Coordinator: Nuth Somneang
Sign Language Translators: Nuth Somneang, Ken Veasna
A NOTE FROM CHOREOGRAPHERS
This is another new experience for us to have been working with the artists from Epic Arts. This intersection of dancers allows us to develop an intimate relationship and profound understanding in spite of the short period of time. It is a work in progress which is born out of the process of sharing, exchange, and mutual assistance. The result of this creative process is a work that relates to our real life stories.
In spite of their disability in hearing and speaking, these artists can feel very well the movements and music and express their physical movements beautifully. We, the choreographers, enjoy the fun part of the sign language which we pick up during the course of time we worked with them.
We compare this work to a small growing tree that is well cared and watered. Though it is a small tree but it has all the beauty that contributes to the nature and lives. We are deeply delighted for the efforts we have gone through together in this project.
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
Chumvan Sodhachivy (Belle) (dancer) began training in Cambodian classical dance in 1994 focusing mainly on the male role of the all female classical court form but is also proficient in Cambodian folk dance and shadow puppetry. Eager to develop her contemporary creative skills, Belle was accepted into Robert Wilson's Watermill Center 2006 International Summer Arts Program. Since then, Bell has participated in numerous contemporary dance workshops around the world and has been a featured dancer in works by Emmanuèle Phuon, Peter Chin and others which have toured internationally.
Dam Es Ary is 20 year old. He was born deaf. In 2007 He joined DDP (Deaf Development Program) in Kampot and learned sign language. In 2008 he graduated from DDP. In 2009 he joined the Vocational Training Programme (VTP) full time at Epic Arts Center. He studied Contemporary Dance, Puppetry, Mask performance, Mime, Story creation and Visual Arts. Ary is a fabulous mover and particularly excels in contact work and improvisation because of his natural flexibility and movement quality. When it comes to the arts he's completely absorbed in what he's doing. He's a brilliant theatre improviser and a very talented visual artist. In end 2011 he graduated from the VTP course. In 2012 he becomes Epic arts full time staff as workshop assistant and performer. Ary had been involved as movement workshop facilitator in Epic Arts center and at school around Kampot community and other provinces and international. Ary has toured with Epic around Cambodia and in other Asian countries and in November will tour with our team in Australia.
Ken Sokna is 19 year old. He was born deaf. In 2007 He joined Deaf Development Program (DDP) in Kampot and learned sign language. In 2009 he joined the Vocational Training Programme (VTP) full time at Epic Arts Center. He studied Contemporary Dance, Puppetry, Mask performance, Mime, Story creation and Visual Arts. In this course there were professional teachers from various overseas countries. Sokna has a natural creative talent and through the 2 year full time course he really found his own style of performance with his incredibly expressive face which wins him fans every time he performs. In late 2011 he graduated from the VTP course and in 2012 became full time staff as workshop leader and performer. Sokna had been involved as movement workshop facilitator at Epic Arts center working at the centre and at schools around Kampot and other provinces in Cambodia. Sokna has toured around Cambodia and other Asian countries and in November he will tour to Australia.
Nam Narim (dancer) comes from a long family line of esteemed Cambodian classical dancers. Narim began her classical training at the age of nine. She completed the Secondary School of Fine Arts in 2000 and received her BA in choreographic arts from the Royal University of Fine Arts in Phnom Penh in 2004. She continued her studies at the Korean National University of Arts where she graduated in 2009 with a master's degree in choreography. She is currently a member of the Cambodian National Theatre troupe, Ministry of Culture and Fine Arts. Narim has performed in a number of new works of contemporary dance with Amrita Performing Arts and was most recently a featured dancer in Stravinsky's Persephone directed by Peter Sellars at the Teatro Real in Madrid, Spain.
Ork Savy is 27 year old. He was born deaf. In 2002 Savy Joined Deaf Development Promgramm (DDP) in Phnom Penh for learning sign language. In March 2006 he graduated. Then he started working at the Epic café on the job training as community officer. He goes out to meet new deaf people and introduced them to DDP and make the deaf community wider. In 2006 - 2007 he was part time with DDP and part time with the café. In 2009 he joined the Vocational Training Programme (VTP) full time at Epic Arts Center. He studied Contemporary Dance, Puppetry, Mask performance, Mime, Story creation and Visual Arts. Sovy has a strong presence on stage and a talent for theatre improvisation. He shows enthusiasm and skill for all performance related work. In early 2011 he graduated from the VTP course. Then he became Epic arts full time staff as workshop leader and performer. Savy had been involved as movement workshop facilitator in Epic Arts working at the center and at schools around Kampot, other provinces and internationally. Savy has toured around Cambodia and internationally including the UK, Hongkong, Thailand, Singapore, Japan and this year in November he will tour to Australia.
Yoem Mary is 25 year old. She was born deaf. In 2002 – 2005 she studied at Deaf Development Programme (DDP) in Kampot and learned sign language. In 2005 she graduated from DDP course. In 2008 she worked for the Epic Arts Café. In 2009 she joined the Vocational Training Programme (VTP) full time at Epic Arts Center. She studied Contemporary Dance, Mask performance, Mime, Story creation and Visual Arts. Since she joined the VTP, Mary has really developed in her physicality; her body stiffness has softened and she is opening up her range of movement. She is a bright and quick learner and has a fearless approach to contact work and physical theatre. She is becoming an incredible role model for young, deaf Cambodian Women. In end 2011 she graduated from the VTP course. In 2012 she became Epic arts full time staff as workshop assistant and performer. Mary had been involved as movement workshop facilitator working at the Epic Arts center and at schools around Kampot and other provinces in Cambodia. Mary has toured performance around Cambodia and in other Asian countries and this year in November will tour to Australia.
ABOUT THE COMPANIES
Amrita Performing Arts is committed to the creation of cutting edge Cambodian contemporary dance and theater, responding to the creative drive of a young generation of artists who have taken on the task of ushering Cambodia's ancient performing arts heritage into the future. Our work is developed through workshops based on intensive exchange and dialogue with international collaborators. All of our efforts emphasize capacity building as we assist in nurturing a new generation of Cambodian choreographers, directors and practitioners in all areas of arts management.
Epic Arts is a disability arts organisation working in the UK, Cambodia and China. Epic Arts believes in a world where Every Person Counts (EPiC) and where people living with disabilities are valued, accepted and respected. Epic Arts is a disability arts charity established in 2001 and working in the UK, Cambodia and China. We reach out to those with physical and learning disabilities of all ages and backgrounds, through workshops in dance, drama, visual arts, crafts, photography, music, and story-telling. Epic Arts promotes integration of people of all abilities and disabilities using the arts as a form of expression, transformation and empowerment; celebrating the creative potential of those with whom we work.
Amrita Performing Arts PO Box 1140 128G9, Sothearos Blvd Phnom Penh 12000 Tel: 023-220424 / Fax: 023-220425 admin@amritaperformingarts.org www.amritaperformingarts.org You can also visit us on our facebook page, twitter, youtube and the Amrita blog.
Epic Arts Cambodia PO Box 737 Sovann Sakor, Kompong Kandal, Kampot, Cambodia Tel: +855 (0)33 555 5201 cambodia@epicarts.org.uk www.epicarts.org.uk You can also visit us on our facebook page, twitter and vimeo
The finished work was named "Embracing the Music" for the performance at the 2012 Youth Arts Festival in Phnom Penh.