Philly 360° Exclusive:
Q&A With Philadanco Dancer Chloe Davis
Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco) premiered its stunning new performance Guess Who's Coming to Dinner, choreographed by Ray Mercer, at the Kimmel Center as part of their spring season. With a fierce group of dancers and impeccable precision choreography, Philadanco controls the stage and the audience with their moves and passion.Creative Ambassador and Philadanco dancer Chloe Davis took some time out of her schedule to catch up with Philly 360° to chat about the performance.
Philly 360°: What was it like for you to work on this piece with such fierce athletic movements around the huge table that was onstage?
Chloe: The experience was amazing! Ray Mercer helped me identify a new unique movement quality. It's a beautiful merge of fast, staccato and temperament movements layered by a soft, vulnerable and even "placid" quality. A New York Times reviewer said my dancing was "strangely placid," but I am going to take that as a compliment.
I am a bit of a dare devil, so I was really very excited about the idea of dancing on a table. Ray taught a lot of the choreography first before he brought in the actually table. And I must say, standing on top of it and doing the movement is completely different than doing it on the floor. The table is basically as tall as me! So yes, I had many moments where I got scared. And actually, I still do get nervous! However, I try to transform myself into the character that was created for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner and she is totally fearless and fiery with no regards to danger.
Philly 360°: What was the meaning of the piece – the title that was taken from the movie, Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner?
Chloe: Ray Mercer said that Guess Who's Coming to Dinner was his Grandmother's favorite movie, and it was something about the title that sparked his curiosity. The piece is not based on the movie, yet it is the observation of different energies (characters) being brought to a common place, a table. The battle of feminine and masculine energies, the urges of lust, and the rawness of inner dialogue are some of the scenes established within the piece.
Philly 360°: What do you feel was the main point the choreographer was trying to get across?
Chloe: I believe Ray Mercer wanted to show the dynamic element of human energies and how they constantly and drastically change.
Chloe: I believe Ray Mercer wanted to show the dynamic element of human energies and how they constantly and drastically change.
Philly 360°: Philadanco is on tour for most of the year traveling to major cities across the country and throughout the world. What is it like to perform at home – in Philadelphia for the home crowd?
Chloe: Performing in Philadelphia is such a treat because your local friends and local dance communities finally get a chance to see you!
Philly 360°: How is it different from being on the road?
Chloe: Performing in Philadelphia is such a treat because your local friends and local dance communities finally get a chance to see you!
Philly 360°: How is it different from being on the road?
Chloe: Actually, there is not very much of a difference with performing in Philly or being on the road. You are just as tired! But being on the road, you muster up a bit of energy to go explore the city and do a little shopping.
Philly 360°: What’s next for Philadanco?
Chloe: We are in our "off season" which means that we are working with new choreographers and preparing works for our upcoming 2011-2012 Season.
Chloe: We are in our "off season" which means that we are working with new choreographers and preparing works for our upcoming 2011-2012 Season.
Philly 360°: Do you have any major projects in the works for the upcoming season?
Chloe: Yes, we are working with choreographer, Hope Boykins, who is a former Philadanco Company Member and currently dances with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. And also, choreographer and Creative Ambassador, Rennie Harris, who is the Artist Director of Rennie Harris PureMovement.
Chloe: Yes, we are working with choreographer, Hope Boykins, who is a former Philadanco Company Member and currently dances with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. And also, choreographer and Creative Ambassador, Rennie Harris, who is the Artist Director of Rennie Harris PureMovement.
And check out Chloe's video below.
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