{Dd} Exclusive: Emery LeCrone at the Guggenheim

To be a successful choreographer in today’s market takes more than just creativity and a dream. It takes business savvy, people skills, and flexibility. Emery LeCrone, whose works have been performed by renowned ballet companies and universities across the country, is continuing to make her mark as an astute choreographer, performer, and businesswoman. This month, LeCrone’s newest work, Bach Interpreted, will be presented by curator Mary Sharp Cronson as part of Guggenheim Museum’s Works & Process series.

Set to Bach’s Partita No. 2 in C Minor, LeCrone has created two separate works, one classical and one contemporary. The challenge, presented to her by Cronson, allows LeCrone to stretch and push her choreography in new directions.

“I had to ask, ‘how do I stay inspired by the same piece of music twice?’” says LeCrone. “It’s important to know the music well, but not so well as to repeat patterns.”

For the contemporary piece, LeCrone began rehearsing six New York City freelance artists last July for two weeks. She saw the challenge of choreographing contemporary movement to a piece of music that lends itself more to classical ballet as an exciting opportunity to push herself—another challenge was the logistics of getting a group of six dancers, each with contrasting schedules into the studio at the same time.

“I was nervous leaving the piece for eight months, but it was a great decision that allowed me to step away and come back with new perspective,” says LeCrone.

Rehearsing for the classical piece proved to be simpler.

The two couples, from New York City Ballet and American Ballet Theatre respectively, had more consistent and predictable rehearsal schedules.

The two works present unique opportunities for the dancers to have 20 minutes of original work created on them.

This is not unusual in the freelance scene of New York City, but, for dancers from two of the world’s largest dance organizations, this presents an exciting chance to show something tailor made as opposed to the same recycled repertoire.

The two works will be performed back-to-back, with a ten-minute discussion following the first piece and a fifteen-minute discussion after the second. The music will be performed live by Vassily Primakov. The costumes are designed by Yigal Azrouël. whose work will be seen on dancers for the first time.

“I thought it would be more interesting to use another artist,” says LeCrone. “We’re all out there trying to make something at the end of the day. We should be supporting each other, and this is why I chose to bring the design elements into Works & Process.”

LeCrone’s new work can be viewed as part of the Works & Process series at the Guggenheim Museum March 23 at 3 and 7:30 and March 24 at 7:30.

The March 23 7:30 show will be live-streamed, allowing audience members everywhere be exposed to the work.

Dancers

Contemporary Work:

Kimi Nikaidoh

Richard Isaac

Alfredo Solivan

Pierre Guilbault

Sarah Atkins

Kaitlyn Gilliland

Classical Work:

Stella Abrera (ABT Soloist)

Teresa Reichlin (NYCB Principal)

Alexandre Hammoudi (ABT Soloist)

Tyler Angle (NYCB Principal)