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2024

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The Fable: A Premiere

The Fable spans the full acreage of Majoda Stables beginnning in the pasture amid ambient horses, then transitioning the audience to a covered round pen where the audience, seated in the round, witnesses dancers and horses engaging in intimate dialogue, charged human duets and full company interludes. The Fable contemplates the dilemma of human impatience measured against  the equine's timeless patience. Confessions about aging and the relentless passage of time are shared with Skippy, a miniature donkey. 

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Physical Listening LABs, NYC

The Equus Projects teaches weekly Physical Listening LABs. The Wednesday morning 3-hour sessions include embodied research and compositional explorations. Open and accessible to all curious movers, the LABs run throughout the year. https://www.equus-onsite.org/physicallisteninglab

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Interspecies Research Workshops in Jefferson, NY.

Participants explore deepening multi-sensory awareness and inhabiting an embodied language that builds trust, inspires curiosity and creates communication. Basic horsemanship ground skills are coached by natural horsemanship trainer Dan McCarthy. Nudging aside human-centric thinking in the studio, pasture and paddocks these workshops guide participants into rich creative territory. 

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May 19, 2024 - Celebrating the Majoda Community

Tthe Equus Projects continued its long-standing collaboration with Majoda Stables with Celebrating the Majoda Community. The audience becomes active participants in the performance via a series of immersive choreographic devices. Four Equus dancers, violinist Nathan Bishop and his Philadelphia-based string trio, Midnight on Water entice the entire audience into a communal celebration for the finale of the piece. 

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Stanford University - January-March 2024

JoAnna Mendl Shaw was a Visiting Adjunct Professor at Stanford University during Winter Quarter, teaching Physical Listening for Physicians in the School of Medicine and Choreography in the Theater/Dance Departmen. Physical Listening for Physicians  will be taught again in the School of Medicine in 2025. 

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2023

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Kairos Produtctions, Seattle - Film Shoot

The Equus Projects company of 7 dancers spent July 2023 in Snohomish County, WA shooting a full length film that captures the complexity of the human-equine dialogue and the dance and horsemanship training embedded in making dances with horses. 

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Florida Tour, March 2023

Based in Ocala and then Tampa, the Equus Projects company taught workshops at South Florida University, Blake High School for the Performing Arts  and conducted a 3-day residency at Hillsborough Community College. The company performed its evening-length dance theater work Interspecies Journey in the HCC Theater. The company also taught Dancing with Horses workshops with equines in Ocala and Brooksville. 

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ACDA Adjudication & Residency, Sweet Briar College, Lynchburg, VA

JoAnna Mendl Shaw was an adjudicator for the American College Dance Festival conference hosted at Sweet Briar College followed by a residency in the Sweet Briar Dance program that  focused on Physical Listening and Choreographic Scoring. 

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Barnard College: Translating the Animal

Shaw introduced the concept of interspecies thinking in a series of movement labs for a Barnard course titled Translating the Animal. Designed by Associate Professor Worthen, this unique course focuses on interspecies studies, ranging from theoricalreading and discussion to embodied practice. 

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Temple University, Interspecies Journey Performance 

The Equus Projects brought its dance theater work, Interspecies Journey to Temple University as part of a day-long teaching and performance residency in February 2023. 

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Physical Listening LABs in New York City

JoAnna Mendl Shaw invites curious movers to explore heightened sensory awareness, spatial intention, creative and strategic decision-making in 3-hour sessions. Participants venture into unexpected creative territory while also gaining insight into their own preferences: https://www.equus-onsite.org/physicallisteninglab



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2022

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Performance - Gibney Dance, NYC

Interspecies Jouney is a full length dance theater work merging dance, narrative storytelling and film. The Equus Projects perfomed the work for the students in the Flight Path program, a ground-breaking dance program for high school dancers. The performance was proesented in the Agnes Varis Theatre at Gibney Dance, New York City 

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Interspecies Journey, Solo

JoAnna Mendl Shaw performed a solo version of Interspecies Journey in the vaulted foyer space the Middlebrook Arts Residency and Research Center in Jefferson, NY

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Interspecies Research Workshop

The fourth in an on-going collaboration with Middlebrook Arts and Research Center in Jefferson, NY. and natural horsemanship trainer Dan McCarthy, this workshop that included hands on experiences with horses and immersive studio research that focuses on Physical Listening skills and embodied decision-making. 

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The FEAST, Majoda Stables

Majoda Stables, Moorestown, NJ

A full length performance featuring five Majoda equestrians ages 9-12,  a cast of six Equus Projects dancers and violinist, Nathan Bishop present a 50-minute performance work that merged dance choreography with horsemanship and celebrated the Fall harvest.

VIDEO: The Feast - https://vimeo.com/771640024

VIDEO: Prologue to THE FEAST: Goldenrod Field, October 2022 - https://vimeo.com/763954909


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Interspecies Journey, Solo - Wellfleet MA

JoAnna Mendl Shaw performs a solo version of Interspecies Journey, merging live dance, film and narrative storytelling at Preservation Hall in Wellfleet, MA. 

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Interspecies Research Workshop

The third in an on-going collaboration with Middlebrook Arts and Research Center in Jefferson, NY. and natural horsemanship trainer Dan McCarthy, this workshop included hands on experiences with horses and immersive studio research that focuses on Physical Listening skills and embodied decision-making. 

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The ENGINE, Biddeford, ME

Equus Projects teamed up with visual performance artist Heather Lyon and dancer, choreographer Liz Mulkey to create a performance installation for Biddefords' Main Street. The performance drew audiences along the Main thoroughfare of Biddeford. The performers wore costumes created with recycled clothing. The event was produced by ENGINE with production support from Sub Circle. 

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Dancing with Horses Clinic

Master Dressage coach, equine trainer and equestrian Patricia Norica, teamed up with JoAnna Mendl Shaw to co-teach a clinic for advanced riders in Clinton CT. Clinic Focus: Spatial clarity in the saddle and riding with a dancer in tandem. Norcia and Shaw began developing performances partnering dancers with ridden horses in 1999 and, to  date, they have co-created eight performance projects.

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Interspecies Research Workshop

The second, in an on-going collaboration with Middlebrook Arts and Research Center in Jefferson, NY and natural horsemanship trainer Dan McCarthy, the workshop includes hands on experiences with horses and immersive studio research that focuses on Physical Listening skills and embodied decision-making. August 11-13, 2022

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RED

RED was the 6th fu;ll-length performance piece The Equus Projects created in collaboration with Majoda Stables. The work featured 6 Equus Projects dancers and 5 riders ranging in age from 12 to 50+. Equus Projects dancers train year-round in horsemanship groundskills at Majoda. In exchange for this horse time and training, the Equus Projects creates performances with Majoda riders and horses for Majoda's November and May Open House celebrations. 

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Linda Parelli -  Happy Horse Happy Life Inaugural Conference

The Equus Projects presented demo performances at Linda Parelli's inaugural Happy Horse Happy Life Conference: Shaw focused on how spatial clarity in the dancer's movement can create choreographic resonnace with ridden (and at liberty) horses. Shaw emphasized how powerfully attention to the horzontal plane supports and facilitates moving with equines.

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An exhibition of art works created by three choreographers at NYC GalleryJanis Brenner - Mixed-Media Collage
Christine Jowers - Digital Collage/Painting
JoAnna Mendl Shaw - Doodles

Gallery Show: Dancers Turn to Visual Art During the Pandemic

An exhibition of art works created by three choreographers at NYC Gallery

Janis Brenner - Mixed-Media Collage
Christine Jowers - Digital Collage/Painting
JoAnna Mendl Shaw - Doodles

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Equus Artistic Director Shaw (NYC) and former Equus dancer Audrey Rachelle (Seattle) team up with LIVE musician Stuart Smith (Albuquerque) to teach an 8-week session of weekly virtual movement workshop for all curious movers. The workshops focused on heightened the Physical Listening skills and real-time decision-making. Classes included improvising inside scored rule structures and developing dynamic choreographic trajectories. 

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Physical Listening: Virtual Workshops for Curious Movers

During the pandemic teaching became virtual ZOOM sessions. The Equus Projects taught Embodied Explorations for Curious Humans on line to participants from States throughout the country and Equrope. 

Sesssions focussed on the somatic practice of Physical Listening that sharpens our noticing and creative decision-making skills. 

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Interspecies Journey Premiere: National Arts Club, NYC

Commissioned by the National Arts Club, Interspecies Journey merges live dnce with film and n arrative sotrytelling, all woven into a fluid tapestry designed designed to draw the audience into the profound world of physical listening.Three Equus dancers share insights into lessons learned in the process of shooting IMPRINTED, a full length documentary film that follows theihorsemanship training with two pregnant mares, the birth of their babies and three dancers exploring with their young foals. Film footage shot by Candian cinematographer, Stefan Morel. 


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IMPRINTED, A Documentary

The film follows the  co-creation of a choreographic language between three dancers, two mares and their newborn foals. We witness the dancers inside a research process that merges  horsemanship skills with improvisation and leadership with consummate listening. Their triumphs and failures reveal ego and passion, the desire to control nature and the humbling realization that we cannot. https://www.imprintedthefilm.com/

Due for release, Winter 2025 . 

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2021

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Dancing with Horses Clinic 

Master Dressage coach, equine trainer and equestrian Patricia Norica, teamed up with JoAnna Mendl Shaw to co-teach a clinic for advanced riders in Clinton CT. The focus of the clinic: Working with spatial clarity in the saddle and then riding with a dancer in tandem. Longtime collaborators, Norcia and Shaw began developing a performance form partnering danceres and ridden horses in 1999 and went on to co-create eight large performance projects between 1999 and 2018.

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Dancing with Horses in the Catskills

The first collaboration between The Equus Projects, Middlebrook Arts and Research Center in Jefferson, NY and natural horsemanship trainer Dan McCarthy with hands-on experiences with horses and immersive studio research that focuses on Physical Listening skills and embodied decision-making. 

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Virtual Physical Listening LABs

Physical Listening is a somatic practice that evolved out of the Equus Projects' horsemanship training. The embodied research focuses on heightened noticing and developing nuanced movement choices, task-based choreographic strategies and scored improvisations. The non-verbal communication skills investigated in this workshop inform dynamic team building, fluid collaboration and effective leadership. https://vimeo.com/629389825.

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Horse and Human Conference,

University of Montana West, Dillon MT

JoAnna Mendl Shaw is a panelist at the Horse and Human Conference at the University of Montana West (UMW) in Dillon, MT. The Sizzle Reel for IMPRINTED is screened. 

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IMPRINTED: A Documentary Film 

IMPRINTED captures the co-creation of a choreographic language between three dancers, two mares and their newborn foals.Three Equus Projects dancers merge  improvisation with natural horsemanship to bond with to mares and their  foals. The film  is a story about listening, compassion and interspecies communication -  themes with powerful resonance in 2021, as the world emerges from a  devastating pandemic. IMPRINTED Website: https://www.imprintedthefilm.com/

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2020

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Equus in ACTION: ZOOM Workshop Series

A virtual workshop series that featured collabrations with eight seasoned dance professionals who shared  with the Equus Projects company pedagogy, choreographic strategies and  insights about dance and beyond. Choreograpghers: Audrey Rachelle Stanley, Rebekah Morin,  Melissa Riker, Melissa Turnage, David Norswoorthy, Marielis Garcia, Jenna Pollack and Cynthia Pegado. The 8-Part Series ran through the second week of November 2020.

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Equus Projects at Dunrovin Ranch,  Lolo MT

JoAnna Mendl Shaw visits Dunrovin Ranch in Missoula, Montana to teach a series of workshops for equestrians. 

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The Equus Projects in Dance Magazine

The September 2020 issue of Dance Magazine included an article on The Equus Projects.

https://www.dancemagazine.com/horse-dance/#gsc.tab=0



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Clinic for Equestrians: Farah DeJohnette & JoAnna Mendl Shaw

Equine trainer Farah DeJohnette & JoAnna Mendl Shaw co-teach a workshop for equestrians focused on creating join-up with horses in the pasture. The clinic included herd observation, physical listening exercises and experiments in embodied joining up with the equines.

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EQUUS in ACTION Summer ZOOM Series

A virtual workshop series for curious movers. Each session was taught in collaboration with an equestrian and focused on concepts ranging from SPACE to Defining the ASK. guided emboied experiences were augmented by footage of paddock training sessions, the Equus company workinh in the studio and in performance. The series attracted attendees nationwide and in Great Britain and Italy. Equestrian Collaborators: Carrie Christiansen (NJ), Alissa Mayer (OR), Taby & jessica Ealy (OR), David Lichman (CA) and Machel Jordan (NM). 

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Mark DeGarmo Dance Summer 2020 Salon Series

June 25, 2020: It is Covid-19 and The Equus Projects is still performing. Thanks to the Mark DeGarmo Dance Summer 2020 Salon Series, the Equus Projects company was able to present a full evening performance. Video excerpts from past performances and recent training sessions with horses was accompanied by LIVE narration. The evening offered a virtul audience of over 80 people a comprehensive overview of the work of the company.

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May Center for Learning, Research Residency 

In 2018 The Equus Projects and Santa Fe dance educator Melissa Briggs Bransford began developing an on-going research project with The May Center for Learning in Santa Fe, NM. The May Center is a private school, K-8th grade offering innovative education for children with learning disabilities. Equus Artistic Director Shaw and Bransford developed a Physical Listening curriculum in collaboration with a nucleus of May Center faculty. The March 2020 residency was designed to observe May Center faculty's Physical LIstening strategies in action. The May Center project was abruptly interrupted by the onset of Covid 19.

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2019

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Straight from the Heart: A Choral Convening, A Choral Convening, The Pullman District in far South Chicago

The Equus Projects, in collaboration with Pullman choral directors and Luther Mason, Pastor of the Greenstone Church in Historic Pullman,  orchestrated a mutli-sensory performance featuring two choruses, soprano soloist, musicians and dancers. Envisioned as part communal meditation, part sonic landscape, part choral celebration Straight From The Heart: A Choral Convening brought together communities from North Pullman, South Pullman and beyond. The staging filled the entire santuary of Greenstone Church. 

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The May Center for Learning: Research Residencies

The Equus Projects in collaboration with Santa Fe dancer, educator and choreographer Melissa Bransford Briggs initiated a project with The May Center in 2017, with the goal of gradually building a Physical Listening curriculum to be embedded in the school teaching methods,. 


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Lane Community College  Residency

The Equus Projects returned to Lane Community College for a second residency, teaching classes ranging from Improvisation to Ballet to Hip Hop!! Equus Artistic Director Shaw and LCC Dance Chair Bonnie Simoa explore possibilities for a Physical Listening Independent Study at LCC to include studio practice and hands on equine experiences with equestrian collabirator Alissa Mayer at her horse farm in Oakridge, Oregon. 

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Inter-Species Research LAB ll - Oakridge, OR

A second Inter-Species Research LAB convening, the two-day workshop brought together somatics practitioners, equine trainers, Contact Improvisers and choreographers. The LAB goal was to further define how our multi-sensory presence with equines informs human discourse, education practice, performance presence and choreographic forms. 

 



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Dance Differently Workshops, NYC

Dance Differently is a movement-based workshop that meets for nine hours each month to take a deep dive into embodied explorations of: Spatial awareness, the architecture of movement, heightened tactile sensing and communication, adaptability and strategic decision-making. Sessions include improvisational scores and compositional assignments. 

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Poe Classical Elementary School Residency, Pullman District, far south Chicago

Physical Listening for Poe 3rd Graders: The Equus Projects returned for its 6th residency at Poe Classical, a school for gifted learners in the Pullman District, far south Chicago. The focus of their work at Poe was Physical Listening: The multi-sensory skills that lie at the foundation of Executive Function and building compassionate humans. Mid week, students traveled to Hannaberry Farm where all the Physical Listening concepts were re-experienced through hands on experiences with horses.

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Training Magazine Tech Learn Conference, New Orleans

JoAnna Mendl Shaw co preeented with  David Gaines, the Equine Trainer for the New Orleans Mounted Police:

The Experiential Learning component of the Tech Learn Conference orchestrates immersive experiences in each host city. The 2019 Conference was held in New Orleans. 

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Presence & Performance: A Research LAB with Alyssa Mayer

A convening of dancers, somatics practitioners, corporate leadership trainers, Contact Improvisation practitioners, therapists, scholars and equestrians at Mayer's farm in Oakridge, OR set out to to experientially research and creatively brainstorm about embodied decision-making.

Alissa Mayer, A Somatic Approach To Horsemanship.

http://alissamayer.com/about/

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Dancing With Wild Mustangs, LaPine OR

Equus dancer Kat Reese and Shaw had the opportunity to experience moving with two wild mustangs. The mustangs' trainer, Jessica Ealy is a dancer and equine trainer in La Pine Oregon. She trains wild mustangs for the Bureau of Land Management. Jessica has gone through the rigorous TIP training for the BLM. As of 2021 Ealy has relocated to a small horse farm near Bronzeville, OR and continues to train BLM mustangs. 

PHOTO: Laura Holbrook

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A collaboration with dancer, dance scholar, educator and equestrian Karima Borni

A convening of dancers, somatics practitioners, educators and equestrians looking to research and creatively brainstorm in the equine arena in collaboration with dancer, dance scholar, educator and equestrian Karima Borni, Dance Faculty at Middlebury College.

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Pullman Salon, Vol III - Pullman District Chicago

JoAnna Mendl Shaw and Sarah Rose Graber present the third in an on-going series of Pullman Salons: Site works created for intimate spaces in the historic Pullman District iof far south Chicago. Salon Vol. III is a collaboration with North Pullman resident Educator, Artist and Activist, Deborah Jackson and depicts Jackson's life and work through visual image, movment and art installations. 

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New York State Dance Force: Ithaca Research and Performance Project, Ithaca NY

Ithaca-based NYS Dance Force presenter Jim Self brought The Equus Projects to Ithaca NY to explore the intersection of horsemanship and choreographic chance operations in a week-long residency. The residency inluded master classes, live presentations with horses on the farm of Ithaca College Emeritus Professor of Theater Norm Johnson, a clinic for equestrians, shooting the site-specific film Dusting Trees, performance of a site work with dancers and horse on the grounds of the Cherry Theater in Ithaca and presentation of the score-based performance work The Breaking Ring in the Cherry Theater. 

Film shot with Equus & Friends in Ithaca

Dusting Trees, Ithaca: https://vimeo.com/339422356

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The Equus Projects Performs with Equestrian Bettina Drummond, Millbrook NY

April 27th was a, Equus Projects Demo with a horse at Liberty with live accompaniment by the Ethel String Quartet

April 28th - Performance of The Walking Score, a work created in collaboration with world renowned equestrian Bettina Drummond, riding her Lusitano, Macho with music composed by Todd Reynolds. 


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Creation Residency with Deborah Jackson

Sarah Rose Graber and JoAnna Mendl  Shaw spend a week in Pullman in a Creation Residency with collaborator, visual artist and educator, Deborah Jacksonin preparation for the June 2019 Pullman Salon, Vol III that celebrates Deborah Jackson's art and life in Pullman. 

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2018

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Pullman Salon, Vol. II

Collaborators Shaw and Graber produce Pullman Salon Vol II, part installation, part interactive theater work. Salon Vol. II  invited audiences to interact with a collection of memorabilia and Pullman Factory articfacts - part of the extensive collection of Pullman Factory artifacts assembled by Pullman resident Alfonso Quiroz. The stories of the artifacts  were experienced in recordings and written displays and collectively told the story of Al and Marilyn Quriroz's life in Pullman. Pullman Salon Volume II was staged for the ground floor of the Monsart Art Space, a quintessential historic Pullman row house.

Pullman Salon, Vol. ll Full Performance): https://vimeo.com/318677682


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The Equus Projects and Majoda Hipsters: Halloween 2018

The Equus Projects and Majoda Hipsters: An afternoon-length performance at Majoda Stables. The Equus Projects dancers maintain their horsemanship ground skills training via monhtly training sessions with Carrie Christiansen, the equestrian director of the youth riding program at Majoda Stables in Moorestown, NY. In exchange for horsemanship training, Equus choreographs and performs two large public performances created with the Majoda riding team,The Majoda Hipsters.

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Workshop: Dancing with Horses in Aurora New York

The Equus Projects taught a workshop for dancers that brought together the disciplines of horsemanship and dance improvisation in a workshop hosted by C&K Farm in East Aurora, NY.

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Poe Classical Elementary School Residency, Pullman District Chicago

The Equus Projects taught its 5th residency at Poe Classical Elementary School bringing text devising and Physical Listening into 3rd and 4th grade classrooms. The Physical Listening week concluded with an Equine Day at Hannaberry Farm in Crete, Illinois where the children re-experienced Physical Listening via hands on work with horses. Funded in part by Beverly Arts and the NEA Community Engagement.

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The May Center, Santa Fe, NM  - Designing a Physical Listening Program            

The Equus Projects partners with Santa Fe dance educator Melissa Bransford Briggs and Equine Learning specialist Machel Jordan to design a Physical Listening curriculum for The May Center for Learning, a school dedicated to creative strategies for challenged learners. The project goal is to design Physical Listenbing training for May Center teachers and an equine assisted learning experience for  May Center 6th-8th graders. The equine component is a collabiration with Santa Fe horse owner and equine assisted learning specialist Machel Jordan. 

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Residency in Jackson Hole, Wyoming - Project Development & Performance

Working with producer Lisa Morgan, Equus Projects' Artistic Director JoAnna Mendl Shaw spent 10 days in Jackson meeting equestrians and dancers, teaching a Master Class for Dancers' Workshop and presenting a performance with community dancers and horses for an audience of Jackson locals and visiting company, Hubbard Street Dance. 

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Colorado Tour Research

Elizabeth and Fort Collins, Colorado

Visit with equine trainer and animal communicator Anna Twinney in Elizabeth, CO

Master Class for Impact Dance, Fort Collins

Visit to Hearts and Horses Therapeutic Riding Center with plans for future collaborations.

PHOTO: Taken on an epic drive from Fort Collins , Colorado to Jackson Hole, Wyoming

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NYS DanceForce Project: Ithaca NY

The Equus Projects in rural Western New York with New York State Dance Force 

A collaboration with Ithaca Producer Jim Self and Theater Director and equestrian Norman Johnson. The multi-stage project will begin creation process in 2019. June 24-26th, dancers spent round pen time exploring kinetic dialogues with Norm's horses, taught a master class for Ithaca area dancers and presented a lecture demonstration performance with horses.

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Creative Problem Solving Conference and Tour, Buffalo NY

For the second year The Equus Projects presents a full day Spark Session and Breakout Sessions at the annual Creative Problem Solving Institute Conference at the University of Buffalo. Master Class, 

Wasteland Studios, Buffalo 

Parkinson's Master Class

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Pullman Salon Vol. I, Pullman District Chicago

A mock town hall meeting and whimsical interpretation of early Pullman District history: The Pullman Project team of JoAnna Mendl Shaw and Sarah Rose Graber collaborated with Pullman historian Andy Bullen and Pullman graffiti artist Ian Lantz, to create the first in a series of Pullman Salons created for intimate spaces in Pullman. Salon Vol. I, staged in the historic Florence Lowden Miller Historic Pullman Center. Funded in part by Interdisciplinary grants from the NEA Interdisciplinary Fund and Pullman National Parks.  


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The Breaking Ring Performance in Washington Square Park NYC

In celebration of the 2018 Laban Conference, NYC , the Equus Projects perfiormed interludes from The Breaking Ring on site at Washington Square Park, NYC. June 1, 2018


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Red Ascending 

Commission & Performance, Zurich

Red Ascending created for the Zurich Tanz dancers and sited on the concrete stairs at the Landes Museum

Zurich Switzerland. May 6, 2018 



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Majoda Stables: Dancing with Horses Creative Residency & Performance

The Equus Projects dancers joined a team of exuberant Majoda equestrians \to celebrate horses in a performance and to raise money for Majoda Stables' riding and community outreach programs. 


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Poe Classical Elementary School Residency, Pullman District Chicago

April 22-26, 2018 - JoAnna Mendl Shaw & Sarah Rose Graber in residence at Poe Classical Elementary where they created a performance piece with the Poe 3rd graders that celebrated the historic and current leaders in the Pullman community. The project was co-produced by Poe Classical and Beverly Arts as part of the school-wide Celebrate Historic Pullman event that was presented in June 2018.

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Wisconsin Northwoods & Milwaukee Tour

ArtStart, Rhinelander - Creation of a new performance work for ArtStart galleries

The Warehouse, Eagle River - Master Class

Trees for Tomorrow, Eagle River - Physical Listening Workshop for Trees for Tomorrow Faculty

The Conserve School, Land O Lakes - Creation Residency and Master Classes

UW Milwaukee - A week-long residency atwith master classes and performance of resimaginedThe Breaking Ring. 

March 11 - March 31, 2018


PHOTO: Dogged Persistence - Film shot on frozen Lake Elliot at The Conserve School

https://vimeo.com/326066024



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Majoda Stables: Collaboration with Youth Program

Equine Training and Creative Explorations January - May 2018 that culminated in an informal performance evebnt with dancers and ridden horses on May 19, 2018. 


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Pullman Community Engagement & Research

In 2015 the Equus Projects began an on-going community engagement project in the historic Pullman District in far south Chicago. In order to get to know Pullman residents, project collaborators JoAnna Mendl Shaw anmd Sarah Rose Graber initiated a process of One-on-One interviews, conducted with 60 Pullman residents between November 2017 and June 2018. 

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2017

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Horsemanship Training, Philadelphia PA

The Equus Projects dancers maintain their horsemanship skills via on-going ground skills training. In early 2017 the company traveled down to Philadelphia to work with dancer and equestrian Susan Deutsch and her horse, Caetano and  to Majoda Stables in Moorestown, NJ to work with trainer Carrie Christiansen.



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Wisconsin North Country Tour

Bringing the Arts to Rural America

The Equus Projects on a 3-week tour in the rural communities of Northern Wisconsin:Rhinelander

Land 'O Lakes and Eagle Riverending with a teacxhing residency at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee and performances of  a new staging ofThe Breaking Ring



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The Breaking Ring: Philadelphia

Staged for the large indoor arena at the historic Northwestern Stables, in Philadelphia, this version of The Breaking Ring incorporated a live horse with expansive choreography created for horse and equine handler, Philadelphia dancer and equestrian Susan Deutsch. Equus Projects dancers integrate their movement phases into an equine landscape created by Susan Deutsch and her horse Caetano. 

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Poe Classical and Pullman Elementary Residencies, Chicago: Physical Listening

The Equus Projects returned to Poe Classical and Pullman Elementary schools for a week-long residency focused on Movement and Physical Listening skills. Equus dancer Audrey Rachelle and JoAnna Mendl Shaw taught a week of in-school classes that culminated with a Field Day to Hannaberry Farm in Crete, Ill where Physical Listening was re-experienced by the chiuldren, teachers and parents through hands-on work with horses.

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On the Edge, A Performance Workshop Buffalo

Hosted by UB Music Professor, Jean Kopperud

Dancers' Workshop with Horses

Hosted by UB Music Professor, Jean Kopperud

Buffalo Dancers Master Class: WASTELAND

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Workshop, Santa Fe NM: Discover the Interspecies Dance

Workshop with Horses for Santa Fe dancers

Santa FE, NM

Co-taught with Equine Assisted kLearning Specialist, ith Machel Jordan

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Bates Dance Festival

The Bates Dance Festival produced The Equus Projects creation of works for dancers and horses in 2006 and  2011 and supported creation research in 2005 and 2008.

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INSITU Mandala, Long Island City NY

Commissioned BY INSITU Site-Specific Dance Festival, this intricate score for 24 dancers was created for the Circular Playing Field at Hunters Point, LIC


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Creative Problem Solving Institute - 2017 Conference,University of Buffalo

The Equus Projects presented a full-day workshop session on Physical Listening

and an evening performance of The Breaking Ring

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Creative Problem Solving Institute - Keynote Performance

Featured performance event, The Equus Projects presented version of The Breaking Ring focused on playful engagements.

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Performance: Horses Come to Pullman

Horses and dancers performed in the PullmanDistrict on June 10th in a choreographic work for two dancers and two ridden horses. SXet to a dynamic orchestral work of Steve Reich, the work was created with the historic Pullman Railroad Mural as its back drop. Dressed in Vikctorian travek garb, perflrmers Graber and Shaw seem to emerge from the historic mural, beckoning two animated horses to join them in a demonstration of masterful riding with dancers in c,lose tanmdem.  

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The Breaking Ring, Boston

Residency: The Dance Complex, Cambridge

Master Class: Boston Conservatory


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The Breaking Ring, NYC

The Breaking Ring waas then performned in NYC at the Agnes Varis Center for the Performing Arts in the Gibney Dance Center


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2016

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After Image University of Florida Gainesville

A collaboration with Gainesville visual Artist Erin Curry, After Image transforms the simple task of drawing onto huge swatches of paper in a choreographic work that captures the intersection of movement making and drawn image. The inspiration for this second straging of After Image is S. A. Andrée's Arctic balloon expedition of 1897 - an ill-fated effort to reach the North Pole. The three expedition members perished. As the work progresses, the substrate occupied by the dancers becomes destabilized and fractured.

ERIN CURRY: Collaboration

VIDEO: After Image Excerpts - https://vimeo.com/168381608

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Sedona Artist Colony Residency

The Equus Projects joined by choreographer Rachel Barker spent a week in residence at the inaugural season of the Sedona Artist Colony, housed at the Verde Valley School in the heart of the epic landscape of Sedona, AZ. Choreographer material was devised and filmed at four high desert sites. Dancers: Audrey Stanley and Kacey Katzenmeyer

VIDEO: The Equus Projects, Sedona

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The Breaking Ring: Round Pen Duets - Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe

A movement installation commissioned by Center for Contemporary Art, Santa Fe for the M12 Installation: The Breaking Ring, an installation focused on cruelty to wild horses. A progression of round-pen duets seek authentic kinetic dialogue by responding to and shaping given behavior. Six choreographed duets shape the periphery of the space.  The 3-hour installation for ambient audience draws willing spectators into a round pen experience.

VIDEO: The Breaking Ring: Round Pen Duets (Excerpts)

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#Is This A Dance, OnSite NYC

#IsThisDance was a performance event that merged performance with social research in a choreographed event that ecplored the line between everyday movement and the art-form of dance. Conceived in collaboration with David Norsworthy, the event was presented in two different venues for two very different demographics: DANY studios presented for Stella Adler actors and invited guests. The Raw Space, Harlem co-produced with the Harlem Arts Alliance for a gathering of 40 early, mid and late career Harlem-based artists.

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Poe Classical and Pullman Elementary School Residencies, Pullman District Chicago

JoAnna Mendl Shaw and Sarah Rose Graber sin residence teaching 5th and 6th graders in sessions focused  on devising text and creating accompanying movement. Collaboration with Be The Groove performer Kevin Brown introducing body percussion. Residency funded by Chicago Public Schools

Video: Clint Mosley

VIDEO: Poe Classical at Hannberry Farm: https://vimeo.com/256807518https://vimeo.com/256807518


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After Image Performance, Gibney Dance, NYC

The movement generates layers of drawn images with the seemingly chaotic markings gradually orchestrated into cohesive visual statement. The performers function in a state of constant decision-making, operating within a sequence of rule structures. Task-based interactions create visual after image and simultaneously expose an emotional terrain that negotiates constant, subtle power shifts. 

VIDEO: After Image (Excerpts)

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Interspecies Encounter, Centenary College NJ

Interspecies Encounters was created during a 4-month residency at Centenary College, funded by the Gates-Ferry Lecture series. The project was a collaboration between Centenary Equine Studies and the Theatre Dance Department.

Interspecies Encounters featured Equus Projects dancers and Centenary equestrians and horses and was presented as the featured event at the Intercollegiate National Dressage Competition.

VIDEO: Interspecies Encounter (Excerpts)

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Zurich Creation Lab, Zurich Switzerland

The Equus Projects Artistic Director JoAnna Mendl Shaw has a long history of teaching choreographic workshops in Switzerland. The Zurich Creation Lab is an annual workshop that takes places in February or March. Produced by Zurich choreographer, Tina Mantel.

Zurich Creation Lab - February 11-15, 2017

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2015

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Teaching and Research Residency, Pullman District, Chicago 

The Equus Projects Artistic Director JoAnna Mendl Shaw in collaboration with theater director Sarah Rose Graber spent a week in the Pullman District of south Chicago teaching in the elementary schools, and conducting preliminary research on Pullman history and community residents. This residency was funded by the Pullman National Monument.

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The Pullman Project, Far Sotuh Chicago: Launch

A Multi-disciplinary, multi-year creation project in collaboration with the Pullman National Monument, Arts Pullman, Historic Pullman Foundation and local Pullman schools and the that brings visibility to the historic role the Pullman District played in Chicago and its current unique multi-cultural landscape.

 

The Pullman Project


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Lane Community College Residency, Eugene OR

JoAnna Mendl Shaw, Artist in Residence

Modern Technique, Improvisation, Composition and Ballet

Five-Day Playground Lab for Lane students and Eugene community

Playground Lab performance event.

Dancing with Horses Workshop

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In Celebration of Wheatgrass, OnSite NYC

A performance installation created for the North Plaza of Union Square that paid homage to one of NYC’s iconic urban farmers, Stewart Borowsky - The Wheatgrass Man. Borowsky has been selling homegrown wheatgrass for over 15 years with his wheatgrass farm operating out of a warehouse in Brooklyn. In Celebration of Wheatgrass is a series of solos, each functioning inside a large scale visual installation built with wheatgrass flats, soil and farming tools. Research, creation and performance of this project was funded by a grant from the Lower Manhattan Cultural Council.

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SUNY Potsdam, Crane Plaza: This is a Dance

Site work created for the Crane Plaza at SUNY Potsdam with a cast off 16 dancers. The 30-minute installation featured a series of task-based scores that moved 74 audience members and constructed a kaleidescopic mandala with 400 apples. The work was commissioned by the SUNY Potsdam Theatre & Dance Department with funding from the New York State Dance Force, NYSCA.

VIDEO: This is a Dance

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Film: Earth Poem - Elizabeth, CO

A film by LA based filmmaker, Gabe Bienczycki shot on the ranch of equine trainer, Anna Twinney, in Elizabeth, Colorado.

Gabe Bienczycki, Zebra Visual

VIDEO: Earth Poem -  https://vimeo.com/151059022https://vimeo.com/151059022

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Grazing Gracefully, Snug Harbor Cultural Center Staten Island NY

Grazing Gracefully was commissioned by the Snug Harbor Cultural Center on Staten Island. The commission requested that The Equus Projects perform with Staten Island horses. Grazing Gracefully was created for a cast of five dancers and two local Staten Island ponies from the Seguine Equestrian Center.

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Elephant Shenanigans 2015, OnSite NYC

Created by choreographer, David Norsworthy for OnSite NYC, Elephant Shenanigans was a traveling choreographic installation for four dancers and inflatable elephant that traveled through the streets of New York City for durations of 3-6 hours. 

The May 2015 version of Elephant Shenanigans was performed for a total of 8 hours and traveled 50 city blocks.

This version of Elephant Shenanigans was funded by The Harkness Foundation.

VIDEO: Elephant, 2015: https://vimeo.com/133190716

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2014

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Circular Celebrations, OnSite NYC - Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, NYC

A movement Installation created for Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, adjacent to the United Nations, the piece was constructed as a series of circular choreographic scores that celebrated the peace-keeping and negotiation spirit of the United Nations.Circular Celebrations was created for and featured 16 dancers from the Ailey/Fordham BFA Program and Percussionist, Jeremy Smith

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(Com)Passion, Clinton CT

(Com)Passion, a collaboration between Equus Projects, dancer Lacina Couliably from Burkina Faso and equestrian Patricia Norcia, explores the intersection of West African dance and classical dressage, both grounded by rhythm, listening and compassion.

VIDEO: (Com)Passion

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Nattdans pa Hovdala, Hovdala Castle, Hassleholm Sweden

Nattdans pa Hovdala was an evening length work commissioned by the Swedish theater company, Klinten Kultur. Created as a site-specific event for the courtyard of the historic Hovdala Castle in Hassleholm, Sweden. Nattdans featured the Klinten Kultur cast of young adults with autism joined by The Equus Projects and European dancers, live percussionist Tina Quartey and Fire Artist Amanda van Rheinberg.

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Elephant Shenanigans, OnSite NYC

Elephant Shenanigans was created as a traveling installation for NYC Streets. The 8-hour event, performed in two installations, featured two casts of 4 dancers each and a large inflatable elephant. Elephant Shenanigans was created by David Norsworthy.

Elephant, 2014: https://vimeo.com/117245661

Elephant, 2015: https://vimeo.com/133190716

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Hastdans pa Hovdala - Premiere, Dance on Film Festival, Lincoln Center, NYC 

Hastdans pa Hovdala was screened at the Lincoln Center Dance on Film Festival on February 1, 2014, followed by a panel with DFA curator JoAnna Ney, Equus Artistic Director JoAnna Mendl Shaw, Equus Projects dancers Carlye Eckert and Jessica Martineau and filmmaker, David Fishel.

Filmmaker, David Fishel: http://guerillagorilla.com/

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Math Research Lab, NYC

Choreographer and mathematician Lauren Vogelstein spent six weeks with The Equus Projects exploring the application of math principles to choreographic scoring.Studio investigations investigated scoring mechanisms for:

Curvatures

The Fibonacci Equation

Tessellation

Rolling Objects


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2013

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Strategic Studies Group, Naval War College Newport, RI

Physical Listening and Strategic Decision-Making

The Equus Projects was commissioned to engineer a full day workshop for the Strategic Studies Group of the Naval War College, Newport, RI. The presentation and demo focused on movement as a dynamic agent for accessing Strategic Thinking and Bold Decision-Making.

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Bright Morning Stars was created for the David Lichman North American Northeast Tour Stop performed at Que Sera Farm in Clinton Corners, NY. The work featured The Equus Projects dancers with riders from the Bard College Equestrian Team and horses from Netherwood Acres Farm, Hyde Park, NY.

VIDEO: Bright Morning Stars

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Håstdans på Hovdala, Hassleholm Sweden

Håstdans på Hovdala was a full evening length site-specific work commissioned by Klinten Kultur, a Swedish company of young adults with autism. Created for the historic Hovdala Library ruin in Hassleholm, southern Sweden, Håstdans på Hovdala featured a cast of Equus Projects dancers, local horses and six Klinten Kultur performers. Filming was funded in part by the American Embassy in Stockholm and a Frances Mary Hazen Fellowship from the Mount Holyoke College Alumnae Fund.

VIDEO: Håstdans på Hovdala (Excerpts): https://vimeo.com/162312489

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Garden Six B, OnSite NYC 

Garden Six B was created for the community Garden Six B in the East Village in NYC. The piece featured Equus dancer Jessica Martineau and original soundscape composed and performed by

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The Secret Garden, OnSite NYC

The Secret Garden was created for the south garden at Tudor City Greens. Set to the Bach Unaccompanied Cello Suite #2, the work featured three Equus dancers and eight guest performers who are planted among the spectators. Based on Frances Hodgson Burnett's children's book, The Secret Garden, the work suggests the fantasy-life of an urban child playing in a small urban garden. Embedded in the choreography are opprtunities for spectators to read small notes with facts about the architecture and history of the historic buildings of Tudor City.

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Judson Church, NYC

Take the Time It Takes was created for the Judson Church series STUFFED. The work is a duet about struggle, loss and the order we create to keep ourselves sane. Set to the selections from Bartok's 44 Duos, the piece concludes with a snow shower of 1000 paper snowflakes.

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Ligne Roset, OnSite NYC

SoHo, NYC: The first event of the OnSite NYC's 2013 season, Ligne Roset was an installation created for the SoHo furniture store of the same name. The evening explored possibilities for scripted behavior as performance staged for a live party event. Three female performers each inhabit a furniture constellation in the store, embodying a distinct character throughout the 4-hour event. A solo male dancer entices each women onto duet interludes that provide small diversions witnessed by ambient party goers. Throughout the evening, Visual Artist Jeff Hopkins created quick sketches of the evening's events.

PHOTO: Nir Arieli

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2012

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Dag Hammarskjöld Plaza, OnSite NYC

Created for the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, a city plaza directly adjacent to the United Nations, this task-based movement installation featured 8 dancers in a score that gradually constructed a 10' long glass peace bough constructed with 300 Ronny Brook Farm glass milk bottles. Ronny Brook Farm is one of the primary vendors at the weekly Dag Hammarskjold Green Market. 

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Migliorelli Mandalas, OnSite NYC 

Migliorelli Mandalas was created for the North Plaza of Union Square, site of the weekly Union Square Green Market where Migliorelli Farms is an iconic vendor. Migliorelli Mandalas was performed by 21 dancers, members of The Equus Projects and dancers from Alvin Ailey/ Fordham and an unexpected small boy. The piece used 350 Migliorelli apples.

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Red, Yellow, Blue - River-to-River-Festival, Governor's Island, NY

Commissioned by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and The Drawing Center

for the 2012 River-to-River-Festival and created for Fort Jay on Governor’s Island, NYC.

Red, Yellow, Blue was a 50-minute work for created for 10 dancers and 3 visual artists whose brush strokes determined the movement material. 


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Martin's Pretzels, OnSite NYC 

Created for the location of the Union Square Green Market, Martin's Pretzels mobilized 50 cardboard boxes from the iconic Green Market vendor, Martin’s Pretzels as a dynamic choreographic visual. Movement of the lead box determined the body shaping for the entire cast of 8 dancers. The spatial patterns wer based on a Laban B Scale.


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Ronnybrook Mandalas, OnSite NYC

The first of OnSite NYC's mandala scores for public spaces, the Ronnybrook milk bottle mandalas were created with the iconic Union Square vendor's, Ronny Brook Farm glass milk bottles.The performance featured 8 dancers work inside a complex task-based choreographic score that engineered the building of several intricate glass bottle mandalas. 250 glass milk bottles were used.

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Anita’s Way, OnSite NYC

Commissioned by chashama, a NYC arts presenter that nurtures artists by transforming unused NYC property into work and presentation spaces. Anita’s Way was a  40-minute site-specific work  made for the Anita's Way alley in midtown Manhattan. The work investigated the notion of necessity, movement choices  determined by the charcoal markings of three visual artists. 

VIDEO: Anita’s Way: https://vimeo.com/49200810

Visual Artists:

Jeff Hopkins: http://picturescometolife.com/

Alan Bolle: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_M._Bolle

Ellen Colcord: http://www.colcordstudioschool.com/efcolcordaolcom/


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 2011

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Herds and Horses

Center for the First American Horse, Morrisville, VT

Produced by Center for the First American Horse in Morrisville Vermont, Herds and Horses was a 40-minute work that showcased The Equus Projects' unconventional use choreographic scoring to frame natural horse behavior and gently create performance with horses at liberty.

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UnStable Landscape, Bates Dance Festival

Commissioned by the Bates Dance Festival, UnStable Landscape was an evening-length work created in collaboration with choreographer Carl Flink and Black Label Movement, MN. Made for 10 Equus and BLM Dancers, 5 horses and 14 dancers from the Bates Festival Un/Stable Landscape was created as a site specific work for the hillside and horse paddocks of Chance Encounter Farm in Pownal, ME.


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Celebration - High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center, Old Lyme CT

Commissioned by High Hopes Therapeutic Riding Center for their 2011 Gala Fundraiser, Celebration featured the Equus Projects company and a cast of 6 equestrians.


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2010

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Horses & Humans: A Celebration of Dancing & Healing, Prospect Park Brooklyn NY

Horses & Humans: A Celebration of Dancing & Healing was a 4-hour performance installation for 6 dancers, 5 horses and riders created for The Nethermead in Prospect Park. The project was a collaboration with Gallop NYC Therapeutic Riding Program. A centerpiece of the event was a demo performance with Equus dancers and children and parents from the Gallop NYC programs.

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Hudson Valley Wine and Cheese Festival, Rhinebeck, NY

For its second season at the Hudson Valley Wine & Food Festival, The Equus Projects created a series of small ensemble pieces with dancers and horses at liberty. The company also created an installation without horses sited to travel throughout the wine-tasting halls.

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Dancing in Real Time, Vashon Island WA

Dancing in Real Time was commissioned by the Heart of the Horse Farm on Vashon Island. The 50-minute work was a collaboration with composer Jami Sieber & percussionist Geoff Johns, both playing live. The work partnered three Equus Projects' women with a small herd of Polish Arabian at liberty horses.


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A Celebration of the Horse, Mount Holyoke College Equestrian Center, South Hadley MA

Created for the 2010 Eastern Regional Andalusian Horse Conference and performed in the equestrian arena at Mount Holyoke College in South Hadley, MA. The work was commissioned by ERAHC and featured six horses and riders and four dancers.


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A Texas Hillside, Aubrey TX

Texas Hillside was created for the OX Ranch in Aubrey, TX with a cast of seven local equestrians and their horses and eight dancers including guest performers from Cirque du Soleil and Texas Women's University. Equitation styles ranged from dressage to cutting and reining.

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 2009

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Join Up -The Myrna Loy Center for the Performing Arts, Helena Montana

Join Up was created during a National Performance Network residency for the Myrna Loy Center for the Performing Arts in Helena, Montana. The evening length concert of six pieces and a prologue featured a cast of 19 local horses, 16 riders, The Equus Projects company of four dancers, and guest equestrian David Lichman. The bull running arena at the Helena State Fairgrounds was transformed into a theater venue. The performance, open dress rehearsal and narrated rehearsals drew audiences totaling 1500 for the week.

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Rhinebeck Wine and Food Festival

An Afternoon of Horses & Dancers and Wine featured a collection of small performance works featuring for three horses and riders and four dancers performed on multiple sites of the festival grounds.

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Resting Ground, Vashon Island WA

Created for a herd of Polish Arabians at the Heart of the Horse Farm, Vashon Island WA

A 50-minute work created for four dancers and seven horses was commissioned by the Heart of the Horse Farm and featured a small herd of Polish Arabian horses and live music composed by electric cellist and vocalist, Jami Sieber.

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White Oak Plantation Residency, Yulee FL

The Equus Projects & Black Label Movement

Equus and BLM created three works during their 10-day residency at White Oak Plantation. All works created were collaborations between Equus Artistic Director JoAnna Mendl Shaw and BLM Director, Carl Flink. White Oak is funded by the Gilman Foundation that supports the White Oak Wildlife Preserve and annual dance residencies.

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June Dancers Intensive, Rhinebeck NY

From 2005 - 2012, The Equus Projects taught annual June Dancers Workshops that introduced dancers to basic horsemanship ground skills and translated those skill sets into choreographic scoring techniques.

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Claustrophobia, Pomona NY

Claustrophobia was created for the indoor arena at Country Lee Farm in Pomona, NY. The work was created during the winter and spring of 2009 with horses from Country Lee. The tiny horse farm is located just 40 minutes from downtown Manhattan and was the location for most of Equus equine training 2007-2009.

PHOTO: Vanessa Wright


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2008

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Performance Installation: Chance Encounter Farm, Pownal Maine

A performance installation created for a small horse farm in Pownal Maine, created while the company was in residence at the Bates Dance Festival.

PHOTO: Rene Braun

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Landscape, Saratoga Arts Festival

Commissioned by the 2nd Annual Saratoga Arts Festival for the Polo Fields. Created with a local cast of performers ranging in age from 16 - 72 years old.

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Processional, Connecticut College New London CT

Performed at the American College Dance Festival at Connecticut College, New London CT

Commissioned by ACDFA and created for the Great Lawn at Connecticut College.

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Score for Dancers & Rider-less Horses

Interspecies Explorations

Ocala, FL


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2007

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Perfiormance at Equine Affaire, Pomona CA

Collaboration with Five Star Parelli Natural Horsemanship Trainer, David Lichman.

Trail Less Traveled performed with singer/songwriter Mary Ann Kennedy singing live.

Gotan Tango created with equestrian Elli Johnson.  

Libertango

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Clinic for Equestrians

Hosted by Willow Tree Clinic, Long Island NY

Dancing with Horses clinic for equestrian co-taught with 5-Star Pareeli Instructor, David Lichman

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2006

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Hayfork CA. Exploration Lab with David Lichman

Week-long exploration lab at Hayfolk Farm in the Shasta Mountains, CA with equestrians and their horses directed by David Lichman

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Seven Games, Bates Dance Festival

Commissioned by the Bates Dance Festival and created for the central green on the Bates College campus. Based on the Seven basic training games of Parelli Natural Horsemanship. A collaboration with cellist, vocalist and composer Jami Sieber. Four dancers and three Saddlebred horses.

Parelli Natural Horsemanship: http://www.parelli.com/

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Equine Landscape, Perry Mansfield Performing Arts, Steamboat Springs CO

Commissioned by Perry Mansfield Performing Arts Camp in Steamboat Springs, CO. The work featured two Equus Projects dancers, Big Apple equestrian and gymnast Sasha Nevidonski, 15 Perry Mansfield dancers and faculty members, Fort Collins equestrians Kime Orth and Cindy Loader and horses and Steamboat equestrian JoAnne Drahota.


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Bach Suite, Heifetz International Music Institute, Wolfeboro, NH

Bach Suite was commissioned by the Heifetz International Music Institute. Set to selections from the Bach Cello Suites rearranged for cello and violin, and played live by students from the Heifetz Institute

Four Equus dancers, three horses and riders.

Equestrians: David Lichman, Annie Schneider.


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2005

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Rules of Engagement, Claremont Stables NYC

A collaboration with Video Artist, Janet Biggs, Rules was created for the historic Claremont Riding Academy in New York City. Equus transformed the arena into a theater space with full theatrical lighting. Rules examined notions of cruelty and survival that play out in nature and in the relationships between humans and equines.

PHOTO: Janet Biggs

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Walking Score

The Walking Score I was conceived at Perry Mansfield during a week-long residency with the dancers and guest equestrians, Kime Orth and Sasha Nevidonski. 24 dancers, 1 horse and rider.

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Oxridge Gala, Oxridge Equestrian Center CT

Connecticut Dressage Association

Oxridge Equestrian Center

Equestrian, Bettina Drummond

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Ellipse, River to River Festival NYC

Commissioned by the 2005 River to River Festival , the piece was created for the Oval Garden adjacent to the 9/11 site. The site presented very specific specifications for the piece: The horse must weigh under 1000 lbs, the choreography could not cross the center of the garden until the last moment, the horse could only walk and trot, not canter. The elliptical shape of the choreography was engineered specifically for the site specifications.

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2004

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Duchess County Tour of Historic Farms, Millbrook NY

Commissioned afternoon of works for dancers and horses performed at Goose Chase Farm in Millbrook, NY. Created in collaboration with equestrians Bettina Drummond & Patricia Norcia

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Bach Dances, Symphony of Horses Ocala FL

Commission for Marion Country Therapeutic Riding Gala, Symphony of Horses,

Performed with live symphony orchestra

Equestrian, Karen Rohlf

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EQUUS I, Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VA

An evening length work commissioned by Virginia Commonwealth University, created during a month-long residency at VCU. Two Equus dancers, eight VCU dancers, seven local Richmond riders and horses, guest equestrian, Maddrey Baker with her two horses.The live performance was accompanied by an embedded video Installation created by Video Artist, Peter Richards.

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2003

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Kalliope, Riverdale Equestrian Center NYC

Re-staged for the indoor equestrian arena at the Riverdale Equestrian Center in Van Cortlandt Park, NY

This production featured a cast of 14 dancers, 7 horses and 6 riders.his production was produced by The Equus Projects in collabiration with Riverdale Equestrian Center.

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2002

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Kalliope, The Ethel Walker School, ​  Simsbury CT

Re-staged for the indoor equestrian arena at the Ethel Walker School in Simsbury, CT, this production of Kalliope was co-commissioned by Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT and The Flynn in Burlington, VT with funding from the National Performance Network Creation Fund. Staged during a week-long Equus Projects residency at Ethel Walker, the work was performed in the Ethel Walker indoor arena with full theatrical lighting. The residency included master classes for the Dance Program  and a clinic for Ethel Walker equestrians. 14 dancers, 7 horses and 6 riders.

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Kalliope, Shelburne Museum VT

Created for the historic carousel at the The Shelburne Museum in Shelburne VT

Kalliope was a National Performance Network Creation Commission from The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts in Burlington, VT. The full evening length work was create over a six-month collaboration between Equus Projects Artistic Dorector, JoAnna Mendl Shaw and Vermont equestrian, Kate Selby. Kalliope featured a cast of 8 New York City Equus dancers, 6 Vermont dancers, 6 equestrians, 7 horses and 6 children.

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2001

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In Honor of the Horse, A Tribute

A Site Installation and Performance to Commenorate Losses of 9/11

Commissioned by the Green Mountain Horse Association for its 75th Anniversary Gala, A Tribute was schedule for September 29th. Woodstock, VT suffered profound losses in the 9/11 attacks so Equus created a series of site installations as a tribute to lost lives that drew audiences through the GMHA grounds and into the performance site. 6 Vermont dancers, 14 Equus Projects dancers, 6 riders and horses.

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The Equestry, New Haven, VT

The Equestry was a full evening length work for eight dancers and six horses and riders

This the first in depth exploration of dancing with horses in collaboration with equestrian, Kate Selby owner of The Equestry

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2000

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Dancing with Horses, Bronxville, NY and Patterson, NJ

An Afternoon of Performance Works for Dancers and Horses

Bronxville, NY

Patterson, NJ


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1998-1999

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The Dancing with Horses Trilogy, Mount Holyoke College South Hadley MA

Body on Body, Hillside & MHC Green

This trilogy of site p[erformance works featuring dancers and ridden horses was commissioned by Mount Holyoke College Dance department. The works were created for and performed for three sites on the Mount Holyoke campus. The Dancing with Horses Trilogy featured over 50 human performers - dancers from the Five College and MHC staff - and a total of 12 horses and riders. 

Dance + Theatre + Horsemanship

joannamendlshaw@gmail.com 

121 W. 17th, 4B New York, NY 10011

917-533-4946

The Equus Project (c) 2014   all rights reserved.

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