Ten Tiny Dances – ten choreographers, two towns, one small stage

Published 9:00 am Thursday, May 17, 2012

Standing atop a stage the size of a coffee table, the dancer turns in precise, nuanced movements, careful not to fall beyond the edge.

Orcas Center Director Kara O’Toole, who is also a professional dancer, is passionate about Ten Tiny Dances, a performance that includes 10 choreographers, two towns and one very small stage.

“Because of the variety of the dances and the curiosity of performing them on a small stage, I feel confident that audiences will enjoy it,” O’Toole said. “Good choreographers like a restriction. With rules come new possibilities … that’s what keeps it fresh: you can find new inspiration in these parameters.”

Ten Tiny Dances was created in Portland, Ore. in 2002 and continues to be produced by founder Mike Barber. This special Orcas version will feature seven Seattle choreographers as well as three island dancers: O’Toole, Charles Dalton and Laura Ludwig. The production is on Saturday, May 19 at 7:30 p.m.

The 4-foot by 4-foot stage will be set up at the forefront of the Orcas Center stage. Seating will go around and behind it on the main stage as well as directly in front with the regular middle row seating. The side rows will be closed off. While it slightly decreases the number of audience members, it creates an intimate “circle” arrangement.

O’Toole has been involved with Ten Tiny Dances for five years. The style is considered contemporary, but the pieces range from technical to theatrical. They have been performed in a variety of venues, including the lobby of Pacific Northwest Ballet.

“I have seen a cast of four do a full dance with lifts and elaborate movements, a tennis ‘love duet’ and a ‘shipwreck solo’ where the dancer is dripping wet and cast away on the stage,” O’Toole said.

Ludwig, who is also a dance teacher, created her own performance. Seattle choreographer Corrie Befort produced a piece for Dalton.

“I wanted to give Charles a gift that would also challenge him,” O’Toole said. “This dance is tailored for him.”

Veteran Seattle choreographer Pat Graney created the piece that O’Toole will be performing. Called “Jesus Loves the Little Cowgirls,” it’s a dance that she has performed in Tennessee, Virginia, Oregon and at the Moore Theatre’s 100th Anniversary in Seattle. Through exaggerated sign language and with Patsy Cline’s “She’s Got You” playing, it tells the story of sad cowgirl who lost new love. She wears a drill team uniform from the Sam Houston State University in Texas. Graney made the piece as a “bon voyage” gift to O’Toole when she first left Seattle to teach in Memphis, Tenn.

The Seattle dancers are Aiko Kinoshita, Juliet Waller Pruzan (choreography by Crispin Spaeth), Dead Bird Movement, Jenna Bean Veatch, MouseBones, Maureen Whiting Co. and the New Animals.

“Every audience member will leave with a favorite piece,” O’Toole said. “You’re bound to love one out of 10 – or more.”