Passages: A journey in dance

PUBLISHED October 17th, 2012 03:54 am | UPDATED July 25th, 2024 03:24 pm

Get ready Nomads to be blown away by this year’s Passages – a showcase of three up and coming local choreographers who will soon be presenting their works courtesy of Singapore Dance Theatre’s dancers.

And blown away you will be. I should know because I was lucky enough to get behind-the-scenes and watch the dancers in all their glory performing works put together by up and coming choreography talents. The pieces I saw covered everything from the dramatic, emotive, humorous and everything else in-between and were a feast for the eyes, senses and soul.

Under the guidance of Singapore Dance Theatre’s Artistic Director Janek Schergen, it’s no wonder that last year’s performance was a sell out, and we’re inclined to think that this year’s will be too. So be sure to snap up your tickets!

We got up close and personal with Janek Schergen, the man with the vision; Christopher Arzaga, one of this year’s choreographers and Ayami Miyata, one of SDT’s dancers to find out what it takes to pull it all together.

JANEK SHERGEN, THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR:

What is your vision for Passages?

Passages was created to give younger choreographers insight into the kinds of tools that can be used to shape the creation of a dance. Almost every good choreographer today began with smaller commissions or working with student dancers to begin as choreographers.

What were your thoughts when working with the choreographers?

I want them to take a risk and not be afraid to fall in the process. To develop their choreographic language and voice, they have to experiment.

What exciting developments are happening in the dance sector in Singapore? And how does Passages fit into that?

There are many more performance groups in Singapore now and that’s a healthy development. The question is how it is helping someone develop a unique and accomplished voice in creating and shaping dancers.

What has been the main highlight of your time at Singapore Dance Theatre so far?

Mine has been in developing the company dancers through a sophisticated repertoire. Bringing choreographic talent through Passages like Christina Chan or Gigi Gianti is very satisfying. In 24 years of being involved with SDT, I’ve watched the company on stage hundreds of times and each time is unique.

CHRISTOPHER ARZAGA, THE CHOREOGRAPHER:

You started out as a street dancer back in the Philippines – you’ve come a long way since then! Tell us a bit about your journey and also what it’s like to have the opportunity to work with leading light Janek Schergen?

I know it sounds such a cliche but it is true. I started out on the streets and worked my way through where I am now. I guess it’s my passion for it that pulled me through and I was really lucky to have met and worked with amazing souls who have shared their knowledge, wisdom and talent with me… I learned what I have now from these people, my friends… they gave me a chance .

How would you describe your choreography in Passages?

Twisted, Raw, Organic… and no, it’s not salad!

What inspired you when creating the work?

I was inspired by the whole process of this workshop, Passages. The hard work, the pain, these wonderful artists that I’ve met and my new found knowledge. Just like in life… it’s not the destination, it’s the journey.

Tell us a bit about how you approached the choreography for this work?

I see the beauty in the breakdown. I love taking something so beautiful and oh so perfect and just break it down… twist it and tear it apart like the artists from the company. They inspire me so much and I see them as this beautiful and perfect angels but what if I clip their wings? What if I break their legs? What if I make them wear dirty grey instead of white? What if I put them here on earth and not in heaven? How will they look? Feel? Move?

Does your street dance background come into play in the work at all?

Yes, I think you can see it in my style and movement. It’s more pedestrian contemporary.

What ideally would you like audiences to take away from your piece?

I would love for them to take a piece of me.. It’s my heart and soul on the floor flowing through the bodies of these amazing artists.

What does it mean to you to have the opportunity to present your work through this platform?
This is one of those once in a lifetime kinda things so this means the universe to me. I may not have this kind of opportunity ever again that’s why I’m ecstatic and I am giving it my all 🙂

AYAMI MIYATA, THE DANCER:

What does it take to be a dancer at SDT?

It takes both mental and physical strength, and a love for dancing.

What is it about the choreography in Passages that moves you?

I feel the passion to create something new from all the choreographers and in doing so, I feel compelled to give them back my feelings and emotions and quality of the movements using my body.

Can you tell us a bit about what it’s like to be dancing Christopher’s work in particular?

He actually has one big theme in his piece. He says, ‘we are angels who have no wings… we want to fly, but can’t. In this way, we suffer for it.’ The movements in the piece are very contemporary, with beautiful music. We are now in the middle of the creation, but I think that it will be an extraordinary piece by Christopher!

Passages runs from 2nd – 4th November at the National Museum Gallery Theatre. Tickets are $25. For show times, ticket booking and more information see here.