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The Trisha Brown Dance Company in Travelogue (1977). 

Staged by Andrea Weber (MCDC 2004-2011) and Marcie Munnerlyn (MCDC 2004-2011).

Photo: Ben McKeown, courtesy of the American Dance Festival

 

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The summer has gotten off to a busy start with a variety of stagings, performances, workshops, and classes. 

 

The first week of June, more than twenty dancers participated in a one-week workshop devoted to solos choreographed for Carolyn Brown. Several stagers contributed to this unique workshop: Holley Farmer (1997-2009), Jean Freebury (MCDC 1992-2003), Jennifer Goggans (2000-2011), Jamie Scott (MCDC 2009-2011), and Andrea Weber (MCDC 2004-2011). That same week, Jean Freebury staged a suite of solos & duets from Interscape (2000) for Gary Champi and Eleanor Hullihan, and Holley Farmer taught a duet from Split Sides (2003) for dancers from A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham. 

 

The following week, at the American Dance Festival, the Trisha Brown Dance Company, in partnership with the Merce Cunningham Trust, gave their first performance of

Travelogue (1977) on a program celebrating Rauschenberg’s centennial (New York Times article), and Brandon Collwes (MCDC 2006-2011) began teaching technique and repertory for ADF’s Summer Dance Intensive.  

 

Next came “In Conversation with Merce: New Arrangements,” a program at Baryshnikov Arts Center presenting four works – one on film and three live (Dance Enthusiast review). The week concluded with the filming of one of these works, Suite for Two (1958), in BAC’s John Cage & Merce Cunningham Studio. Filmed by Alex Munro and his team, Suite for Two is danced by Jacquelin Harris and Chalvar Monteiro with Adam Tendler playing John Cage’s Music for Piano (4-19).

 

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Alexzander Larson and Sienna Blaw in XOVER: Duet for Six. 

Staged by Brandon Collwes (MCDC 2006-2011).

Photo: Maria Baranova.

 

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In the Studio

 

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Suite for Two (1958) filming

 

Jacquelin Harris and Chalvar Monteiro being filmed in Suite for Two (1958) by Alex Munro and his team in BAC’s John Cage & Merce Cunningham Studio.

 

Staged by Andrea Weber (MCDC 2004-2011). 

 

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Interscape (2000)

 

Gary Champi with Eleanor Hullihan rehearsing a suite of solos and duets from Interscape (2000), staged by Jean Freebury (MCDC 1992-2003). 

 

 

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Split Sides (2003)

 

Olivia Wang and Mykiah Goree, dancers with A.I.M. by Kyle Abraham, rehearsing a solo from Split Sides (2003), staged by Holley Farmer (MCDC 1997-2009).

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In Memoriam

 

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Alan Good

1954-2025

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Sandra Neels

1939-2025

 

We are deeply saddened by the recent passing of Alan Good and Sandra Neels, who will be remembered as brilliant performers, devoted teachers, and remarkable individuals. Click the following links to watch Alan Good in Beach Birds and Sandra Neels in Walkaround Time.

 

From the Archives

 

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Samuel H. Scripps/American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement in Choreography

Left to right: Charles Reinhart, Joan Mondale, Merce Cunningham, Samuel H. Scripps, John Cage

Photo by Jay Anderson, 1982.

 

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On June 16,1982, Merce Cunningham received the Samuel H. Scripps American Dance Festival Award for Lifetime Achievement in Choreography. The evening began with a short Event followed by the award presentation. For the program, Cunningham wrote: “To the dancers who have shared these experiences with me over the years, whether briefly or those who have given me of themselves for longer periods, I extend my gratitude. It is with their backs and legs and energies and spirits that any arrival point has been reached, and I am indebted to all of them."

 

The Cunningham company performed many times at ADF, first at Connecticut College and then at Duke University.  Over the years, the company presented 58 different dances including seven premieres: Antic Meet (1958), Summerspace (1958), Rune (1959), Crises(1960), Roadrunners (1979), Doubles (1984), and CRWDSPCR (1993).

 

Current and Upcoming Events

 

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Martha Graham Summer Intensive ChoreoLab:

Chance Operations Workshop

 

Jean Freebury (MCDC 1992-2003) is currently teaching a three-week BEG/INT Chance Operations Workshop which began June 16 and runs through July 3rd.

 

Jamie Scott (MCDC 2009-2011) will lead the next three-week ADV Chance Operations Workshop which begins July 8th and runs through July 25th.

 

Link to summer intensive info

 

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Beach Birds Excerpts (1991)



Educational staging by Jennifer Goggans (MCDC 2000-2011).

 

July 7, 8, 9, 2025: Accademia Nazionale di Danza in Rome, Italy 

 

Information and ticket link



 

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Queering Cunningham / 

Queering Form and Process:

Performance Making Strategies



Workshop led by Neil Greenberg (MCDC 1980-1986).

 

July 21-25, 2025: Movement Research in NYC, NY

 

Link to register

 

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Public Workshop Showings of Pond Way (1998)



Staged by Jean Freebury (MCDC 1992-2003).

 

July 25, 2025; Mark Morris Dance Center

2PM and 330PM

 

Click here for reservations

 

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Public Workshop Showings of Summerspace (1958) and Winterbranch (1964)

 

Staged by Lisa Boudreau (MCDC 1994-2008) and Kimberly Bartosik (MCDC 1987-1996), assisted by Jennifer Goggans (MCDC 2000-2011).

 

August 22, 2025; City Center Studios

2PM and 4PM

 

Click here for reservations

 

 

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In-Person Classes

 

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Cunningham Technique® classes take place daily in New York City as follows:

 

Monday & Wednesday & Friday

at the Mark Morris Dance Center

3 Lafayette Avenue

10:15-11:45am

Click here to register

 

Tuesday & Thursday

(July 22, 24, 29, and 31 ONLY)

at the City Center Studios

130 West 56th St

10:00-11:30am

Click here to register

 

Check our website for more information and updates

 

Saturday

Beginner classes with Janet Charleston

at the Mark Morris Dance Center

3 Lafayette Avenue

1:00-2:30pm

Click here to register

 

Open Classes are also taking place elsewhere in the U.S. and across the globe!

For information, click here

 

For more information, contact: jgoggans@mercecunningham.org