Dance artist Maura Garcia empowers through movement by presenting contemporary Indigenous performances and working with people to dance their stories of community, strength and love. More about Maura’s work at www.mauragarciadance.com

Maura is currently an artist in residence at the Lawrence Arts Center. Her project-based residency runs from January – April 2017 and provides studio space so that she can create new work.

In December of 2016, Maura traveled to Vancouver to attend a “Movement Culture” intensive taught by internationally renowned Maori dancer/choreographer, Charles Koroneho (www.tetokiharuru.com).  Among the many concepts explored in the intensive were the following:  the idea that creation begins with provocation; the need for extended exploration of a specific movement in order to realize infinite possibilities; quadrupedal and primordial movement; the validity of Indigenous traditional activities as a place from which to create contemporary choreography.

Maura will use these concepts to create new choreography during her Lawrence Arts Center residency.  The culmination of her project-based residency is the premiere of this new work at Lawrence Ballet Theatre’s Emergence 2017.

Residency Activity Timeline

November 2016 – Awarded ArtsKC Inspiration Grant to attend “Movement Culture” intensive

December 2016 – “Movement Culture” intensive in Vancouver, BC CANADA

January 2017 – Lawrence Arts Center project residency begins

February 10, 2017 – work-in-progress showing of Lawrence Arts Center’s project residency choreography at: Maura Garcia Dance presents “Full Moon Dances” at the Cider Gallery, Lawrence, KS

March 5, 2017 – work-in-progress Showing & Discussion of Lawrence Arts Center’s project residency choreography at Oyate Okodakiciyapi: A Festival of Native Contemporary Dance/Art at the Ordway, St. Paul, MN

April 21-22, 2017 – premiere of Lawrence Arts Center’s project residency choreography at Emergence 2017