Physical theatre expert CarlosAlexis Cruz, an assistant professor of voice and movement at UNC Charlotte and an Artist-In-Residence at McColl Center for Art + Innovation, will present his main stage production of \u201cNouveau Sud, Nouveau Cirque\u201d April 29-30 at Booth Playhouse at Blumenthal Performing Arts Center (130 N. Tryon St., Charlotte).<\/p>\n
Funded by ASC\u2019s $25,000 McColl Award, \u201cNouveau Sud, Nouveau Cirque\u201d is a cirque-style performance that incorporates the \u201cunderground\u201d dance, acrobatic and physical theater scenes that thrive within Charlotte-Mecklenburg\u2019s multi-ethnic communities. Cruz has spent the last two years developing the \u201cNouveau Sud\u201d team, which includes UNC Charlotte alumni and current students and members of diverse Charlotte communities, including Latino, African-American and Asian-American communities. Through the physical language of dance and movement, their stories and traditions will be tied to the larger story of Charlotte-Mecklenburg in this examination of what it means to be a citizen of the \u201cnew\u201d South.<\/p>\n
\u201cNouveau Sud\u201d demonstrates an effort to \u201cbuild our communities as real and actual partners in making art,\u201d said Ken Lambla, dean of the College of Arts + Architecture at UNC Charlotte. \u201cThis collaborative celebration of common ground through art-making is evident both on the stage and in the partnerships among the three institutions that have nurtured this work \u2013 ASC, McColl Center and the university.\u201d<\/p>\n
The final creation period for \u201cNouveau Sud\u201d has taken place this spring during Cruz\u2019s artist residency at McColl Center. During the week of April 11-18, the public will be able to see the team at work in open rehearsals on MAX, the UNC Charlotte Mobile Arts & Community Experience. MAX will be set up as a performance stage on the McColl Center\u2019s front lawn on North Tryon Street. Rehearsals for \u201cNouveau Sud, Nouveau Cirque\u201d will take place every evening from 6 to 8 p.m., weather permitting.<\/p>\n
\u201cCarlosAlexis has exemplified our mission of advancing community through the creative process by staging public rehearsals and previews of \u2018Nouveau Sud, Nouveau Cirque\u2019 during his residency,\u201d said Lisa Hoffman, associate director of McColl Center. \u201cCharlotte\u2019s diverse communities are both part of the performance and witness to its development.\u201d<\/p>\n
The McColl Award, named in honor of Hugh and Jane McColl, is awarded every three years with the purpose of investing in the creation of a new work of art and to recognize artistic excellence in Charlotte-Mecklenburg. Past McColl Award winners include John W. Love Jr., Children\u2019s Theatre of Charlotte, The Light Factory, Carolina Voices, Charlotte Symphony Orchestra, Moving Poets Theatre of Dance and Carolina Raptor Center.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe McColl Award is intended to inspire original, imaginative and innovative thinking in the pursuit of artistic excellence, which is at the heart of Hugh and Jane McColl\u2019s long-term commitment to the cultural community,\u201d said Ryan Deal, vice-president of Cultural & Community Investment at ASC. \u201cCarlosAlexis has personified all of those characteristics and more in creating a breathtaking performance that celebrates the depth and strength of the creativity that exists within our community.\u201d <\/p>\n