T.H.E Dance Company: Rethinking Co-existence Digital Programme

T.H.E DANCE COMPANY

RETHINKING CO-EXISTENCE

A TRIPLE BILL BY KUIK SWEE BOON, KIM JAE DUK AND THE HUMAN EXPRESSION DANCE COMPANY, SINGAPORE "Edgy, current and fiercely independent"

THE STRAITS TIMES

T.H.E DANCE COMPANY RETHINKING CO-EXISTENCE A triple bill by Kuik Swee Boon, Kim Jae Duk and The Human Expression Dance Company, Singapore

09 - 10 Feb, 2024 Running Time: Approx 1 hour 50 mins with interval Order of Performance: Un-form (31 minutes) Present (17 minutes) Interval Pure (32 minutes)

UN-FORM One of Kuik Swee Boon’s most intimate and revealing works, Un-form began as personal, burning questions concerning the validity and value of his role as an artist to his own existence, and within the context of society. Devising solos as a response, the dance artists delve deep into their memories and experiences, inviting audiences to embark on the same journey of self-contemplation.

PRESENT Kim Jae Duk’s fourth creation for T.H.E continues his highly physical, music‐ driven signature, conceived with the original cast over 14 intensive days of creation. Jae Duk’s existential exploration is nuanced with undertones of dark humour that heightens the urgency of his artistic investigation.

Two people are locked in a physical dialogue that discusses existence and being.

One looks for reasons, the other seeks value. How far will this discussion take them and what is their relationship?

PURE Pure is driven by the perpetual cycle of tension and compromise that accompany every form of social interaction. Inspired by the existential adage, “l’existence précède l’essence” (existence precedes essence)“, this stunning duet examines the complexities of living together as both a unit of family and society.

CAST AND CREATIVE TEAM Artistic Director Kuik Swee Boon Choreographer and Music Arrangement – Present Kim Jae Duk Choreographer – Pure & Un-form Kuik Swee Boon Performers – Un-form Fiona Thng; Klievert Mendoza; Haruka Leilani Chan Performers – Present Billy Keohavong; Klievert Mendoza Performers – Pure Billy Keohavong; Chang En Music Composer – Un-form Zai Tang Music Composer – Pure Jing Ng Costume Designer – Pure Jamela Law Production Stage Manager Lee Xinzhi Lighting Designer Adrian Tan General Manager and Producer Athelyna Swee Rethinking Co-existence is supported by the National Arts Council, Singapore

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T.H.E DANCE COMPANY The Human Expression Dance Company (T.H.E) was founded in 2008 by Artistic Director Kuik Swee Boon. Rooted firmly in Singapore yet universal in its perspective, T.H.E’s contemporary dance works reveal the body as a medium for exploring and celebrating the human condition.

Dance artists at T.H.E are immersed in the Company’s signature methodology, HollowBody™️, which guides them to access their deeper instincts and impulses through movement. The Company’s movement vocabulary is distinct in its intensely personal aesthetics, yet thrilling in its diversity. Driven by a sincere desire to uncover the intricate, complex and oft-times overlooked dimensions of human existence, the Company’s incisive observations on the human condition and its original creations are an essential mirror to the issues and rhythms of contemporary life.

As one of Singapore’s seminal contemporary dance companies, T.H.E has performed and toured at many major local festivals and prestigious international festivals, including the Singapore Arts Festival, Esplanade’s da:ns festival and Huayi – Chinese Festival of Arts, Singapore Chinese Cultural Centre’s Cultural Extravaganza, SIDance Festival and Seoul Performing Arts Festival in South Korea, Beijing and Guangdong Dance Festival in China, Yokohama Dance Collection at TPAM and Niigata International Dance Festival in Japan, Les Hivernales Festival in Avignon, France, as well as Italy’s Oriente Occidente Festival in Rovereto, Inteatro Festival in Ancona, Cross Festival in Verbania, and Fabbrica Europa in Florence.

Based on its vision of contemporary dance as a medium for nurturing human potential, T.H.E has also actively initiated numerous platforms to engage young artists and the wider public. Since it was founded, the Company also started its semi-professional wing, T.H.E Second Company, which identifies and mentors dance artists who aspire to reach a professional standard of contemporary dance.

In 2010, T.H.E also founded the cont·act Contemporary Dance Festival (previously known as the M1 Contact Contemporary Dance Festival) – the country’s first annual contemporary dance festival to showcase local and international artists. The Company also regularly runs public classes, workshops, and customised programmes for schools and the community.

If you have time, it would be greatly appreciated if you could fill out a short feedback form from T.H.E Dance Company which will help them to better understand their audiences and secure future grant funding.

FILL OUT THE FEEDBACK FORM HERE

KUIK SWEE BOON Founding Artistic Director & Main Choreographer, T.H.E Dance Company Founder and Artistic Director of T.H.E Dance Company and the cont·act Contemporary Dance Festival (Singapore); co-Artistic Director of Malaysia’s D’MOTION International Dance Festival 2013 – 2015. Swee Boon was the first Asian principal male dancer with Spain’s Compañia Nacional de Danza (CND) from 2002 – 2007. During his career with the CND, he worked mainly with Nacho Duato as well as renowned choreographers like Jiri Kylian, Mats Ek, Ohad Naharin and Wim Vandekeybus. Prior to joining the CND, he began his dance career in 1990 with the Singapore People’s Association Dance Company and Singapore Ballet (previously known as Singapore Dance Theatre).

Swee Boon’s exceptional artistry led him to receive a nomination in 2003 for the Benois De La Danse Award. In 2007, he was awarded the Young Artist Award from the National Arts Council of Singapore (NAC). He founded T.H.E Dance Company in September 2008. Since its establishment, T.H.E has quickly ascended to become a well-known company locally and in Asia. His critically acclaimed works include Silence (2007), As It Fades (2011), collaboration works RE:OK…BUT! (2011) and Above 40 (2015) were recognised as amongst the best of shows in their respective years. Swee Boon’s works have also toured to prestigious international festivals, including festival-closing performances at the Les Hivernales festival in Avignon, France. In 2016, Swee Boon initiated and continues to develop the HollowBody™ methodology for T.H.E’s training system and performances.

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LONDON’S FIRST SHOWCASE OF TAIWANESE CULTURE FEATURING DANCE, MUSIC, VISUAL ART, PHYSICAL THEATRE, VR AND IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES

12 - 27 Apr

THE CORONET THEATRE TEAM Artistic Director & CEO Anda Winters General Manager Andy McDonald Senior Producer Hetty Shand Finance Manager Andrew Michel Company & Production Coordinator Emma Smith Producer Daphne Seale Assistant Producer / PA to Artistic Director Lola Gabellini Associate Producer Cathy Lewis Digital Marketing Officer Riccardo Tito Pescini Marketing Manager (Freelance) Elliot Hall Press Representative Sharon Kean Poetry Coordinator Marion Manning Audience Experience Manager Giudi Di Gesaro Box Office Assistant Ivana Dieli

Duty Managers Francesca Battinieri, Adrielle Feliciano, Maria LisbergJonasson, Sofia Bitelli Front of House Staff Brian Maitland, Andreane Rellou, Ewa Emini, Sua Tsubokura-Aguiriano, Maya Giulivi, Hazel Townsend, Daniel Camou, Elias Giulivi, Kelsey Moebius, Thea Gavanski, Aishani Ghosh, Eugénie Bakker, Emma Laird-Craig, Daniel Timoney, Cooper Tweedie, Dominika Jarečná, Hamza Mullick, Dong Ting Huang Trustees Linda Bernhardt, Mike Fisher, Mimi Gilligan, Jane Quinn, Anda Winters, Bill Winters (Chair)