EXODUS, Gregory Hancock’s newest work will premiere at The Tarkington on April 5-6, 2019, at 7pm. Inspired by the book of Exodus, the second book of the Torah and Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), this production will be a contemporary re-telling, set in “anytime” and “any place,” with the original plaques of Egypt being replaced by contemporary cautionary tales for the modern world. GHDT’s talented cast will inspire the audience through powerful movement and theatrical storytelling. The Original Ten Plagues are exchanged for the Modern Day Ten Plagues. The final plague in both remains the same, to parallel the similarities of the two versions. History repeats itself, though it may not look the same.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre presents EXODUS at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts, April 5-6, 2019, at 7pm. For tickets, click here.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, the resident professional dance company at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel, Indiana, will present the world premiere of Gregory Hancock’s newest work, EXODUS, this April.
EXODUS is inspired by the book of Exodus, the second book of The Torah and Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), which tells the story of the Israelites’ departure from Egypt, led by the prophet Moses through the wilderness to the Promised Land.
As with many of Mr. Hancock’s works, EXODUS will be a contemporary re-telling, set in “anytime” and “any place”, with the original plagues of Egypt being replaced by contemporary cautionary tales for the modern world. EXODUS will envelop the audience with visually stunning theatrical dance, costumes and lighting in synchronization with powerful and poignant, contemporary music. The talented cast will lead the audience through thematic stories of oppression, emigration and freedom, and will speak to human rights and equality that resonates globally even today.
This inspiring and thought-provoking, epic contemporary ballet, will transport the audience into an emotional story of love and sacrifice. Through the creative storytelling of Mr. Hancock, EXODUS is sure to become another masterpiece in the GHDT repertoire.
Seeking SINGER/ACTORS for LA CASA AZUL, The Musical
AUDITION DATES: Sunday, March 3, 2019 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday, March 4, 2019 from 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm Possible Call Back Date: March 6, 2019
AUDITION LOCATION: The Academy of GHDT, located at 329 Gradle Drive, Carmel, Indiana 46032
Please bring a CURRENT Resume and Head Shot. Please be prepared to sing 24-32 bars of a song that best displays your vocal skills. Please bring sheet music for accompanist in proper key.
Seeking an ethnically diverse cast. LA CASA AZUL is a completely sung-through musical.
Production dates: July 11-28, 2019 Rehearsal start date: June 17, 2019 Venue: The Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre Director: Lance Gray Producers: Gregory Glade and GHDT
All roles are available. Key roles are listed below. The ensemble also plays a variety of secondary roles.
FRIDA KAHLO Age 35-40 (plays age 21-47) Alto Mezzo Soprano Belt. An emotional, passionate, and raw voice with a large vocal range A petite and fragile woman in appearance, but strong, confident, courageous, and stubborn in presence, with nuances of insecurity, brokenness, and desperation. A charismatic, disarming, quiet force of nature.
DIEGO RIVERA Age 45-55 (plays age 36-68) Baritone A man of large stature, girth, presence, and personality. Self-absorbed and oblivious to much due to his commitment to his art and politics.
CRISTINA KAHLO Age 25-35 (plays age 20-45) Alto Frida’s younger sister. A quiet presence. Plays other characters in the ensemble as well.
GUILLERMO KAHLO Age 45-55 Baritone/Tenor Frida’s father. Caring, nurturing and proud of his children. Plays other characters in the ensemble as well.
ALEJANDRO GOMEZ ARIAS Age 24-40 (plays age 20-50) Tenor Frida’s boyfriend. Handsome, idealistic, political, ambitious, and a dreamer.
Logo inspired by the original painting “Looking Within” by Mirvia Sol Rivera Eckert with graphic adaptation by Dave Eckert.
The original musical written by Gregory Hancock, LA CASA AZUL, is coming back to the stage.
Production dates: July 11th-28th, 2019.
Venue: Phoenix Theatre Cultural Centre
Stay tuned for details on auditions, tickets, and more.
The new logo for LA CASA AZUL was created from the original painting, “Looking Within” by Mirvia Sol Eckert (Mirvia Rivera Eckert) with graphic adaptation by Dave Eckert.
We have cancelled our Company Audition scheduled for January 19th, 2019 due to incoming winter weather. If you are registered for this audition, please contact us to reschedule for another audition. We apologize for any inconveniences.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre will be performing THE WILD WILD WEST at The Academy of GHDT weekends February 9-24, 2019.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre brings the American Old West into the black-box cabaret setting for a fun and up-close, theatrical experience weekends in February! GHDT gives a nod to the Western movies of old Hollywood with its new production of THE WILD WILD WEST. Complete with cowboys, gunslingers, bandits, townsfolk, lawmen and saloon girls, this interactive performance will feature renowned music from popular Westerns and elaborate costume of yesteryear. Refreshments from the general store will be available. Be sure to bring your loot as this is the annual fund-raising event for GHDT. Cowboy boots, chaps and Stetsons are suitable attire for audience members.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, located in Indianapolis, Indiana is seeking male and female dancers for company positions, guest work, and apprenticeships for its 2019-2020 season. GHDT is a contemporary ballet/modern dance company looking for dancers with strong training in ballet, modern and contemporary styles.
All applicants who live outside the US must have a valid work visa. All applicants must be available to audition in person.
Current scheduled Audition dates:
January 19th, 2019 – Registration at 1:00pm – Audition at 1:30pm
March 9th, 2019 – Registration at 1:00pm – Audition at 1:30pm
April 13th, 2019 – Registration at 1:00pm – Audition at 1:30pm
To register, please fill out the form below. There is a $20 audition fee. If you have questions, please contactauditions.ghdt@gmail.com
Under the direction of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre, the student production of The Nutcracker will be performed at Pike Performing Arts Center November 30 – December 1, 2018.
“Sometimes you must go on a journey to find home,” is the theme of this heartfelt, enriching story. In their 21st Performance Season, GHDT will revel in theatrical tradition with the renowned student production of this holiday classic with a modern twist. GHDT’s full-length contemporary version features the highly-talented dancers of G2, the preprofessional company of GHDT. G2 is joined by students from The Academy of Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre and other young student dancers filling the stage with movement and color! The Nutcracke r follows the same overall story line as the original, but is uniquely different. This magical version portrays Klara as a homeless orphan girl who discovers the true meaning of the season through the gift and giving spirit of a homeless man. GHDT’s The Nutcracker prominently presents a wide range of world and cultural music in contrast to the traditional Tchaikovsky score.
The homeless man wishes for Klara to have a better life. Finding a broken Nutcracker doll in the garbage, he presents it to her. He casts a magic spell over Klara and she dreams of the grim reality of life on the streets with mice who chase and torment her. The Nutcracker appears and battles the Mouse Queen. Klara slays the Mouse Queen in his defense. Klara’s tears fall upon the defeated Nutcracker and he is transformed into a handsome prince. The Prince takes Klara on a journey to a magical kingdom where the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy comes to dance with them. The colorful dances and costumes of the Kingdom dazzle Klara. She is no longer an orphan and has found her family. She will never be alone again. Through this adventure Klara has discovered the meaning of giving and the importance of giving from the heart. The greatest gift given is that of love and compassion for others. The Nutcracker is a family favorite and is sure to add joy and cheer to this holiday season.
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre is performing a pop-up performance on November 9th and November 10th. We let the fans vote between two fan-favorite shows, Alice and Her Bizarre Adventures in Wonderland or The Black Dahlia. The winner is…
Alice and Her Bizarre Adventures in Wonderland
Two Nights only!
Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre takes a gothic turn into artistic delirium with a wonderful retelling of Lewis Carroll’s “Alice in Wonderland.” Mad Hatters, Queens, and Caterpillars lead the way through this terrific journey through a dark and strange world. Alice was last performed February of 2013.
Reserve your seat at the Tea Party and follow Alice down the rabbit-hole! Click here for tickets!
To make THE CASKET GIRLS come to life, Gregory Hancock was not alone. He enlisted the help and partnership of Cory Gabel. Cory is a composer, and composed all of the music for THE CASKET GIRLS. The two worked together, while living in two different states, to make the show happen. Gabel was inspired by the legend of “The Casket Girls” and used it to come up with the storyline of the show.
“The story for Act 1 felt fairly natural to bring together, based off the original “legend” of the Casket Girls. Like with any historical theme, Gregory and I quickly decided to make the main character Catherine the center of the story. The backdrop of New Orleans, the Ursuline Convent, nuns, locals… the story came quickly, and I remember thinking distinctly that I wanted it to have a Westside Story kind of vibe. Or… Romeo and Juliet, gothic, tragic love. The ending we had fun with, and overtly went with the horror movie trope of leaving everything unknown – who opened the caskets? Was Catherine a vampire all along? Did the King of France actually send the vampires over covertly to take care of the “problem” of New Orleans?”
Gregory and the company were in Indiana choreographing and rehearsing, while Cory, who lives in Connecticut, would send new cuts and versions of the music leading up to the final version that was used for the show. Gregory and Cory actually did not even meet until the weekend of the performance back in 2009. Even before the show premiered as one act, both knew they wanted to expand the show and extend Catherine’s story.
“Even before finishing, we had the idea that when we’d add a second act to the show, it would be in a different, future time period – that was Gregory’s idea. So, I’ve somewhat been thinking of Catherine’s arc for the last 9 years. Gregory has a huge affinity for voodoo culture (he gifted me homemade voodoo dolls after the first show!), so we both knew we wanted that element in Act 2.”
Fast forward nine years, and here we are in 2018 doing just that. The one act show, is now a full two-at story ballet. Cory came up with a storyline for Act 2, and then composed music to fit.
“I really settled in and wrote the bulk of Act 2 this year once I knew we were going to do the show. I really liked the notion that Catherine felt alone after what transpired in Act 1, but then feels this kindred spirit with the voodoo clan, and in particular, two of the women within. Quickly, our villain emerges, and I was drawn to the idea of having him be a vulgar narcissist who is hell bent on destroying everything and everyone. I suppose a writer is always influenced by current events. So – the theme gelled that these different women – either physically alive or alive only in spirit – would unite to protect those they love and rid everyone of a leader with a warped sense of “leadership”.”
Going off of the storyline Cory came up with for Act 2, Gregory choreographed a truly remarkable piece. You’ll witness conflict, love, death, and even a masquerade ball. THE CASKET GIRLS will arrive at The Tarkington Theatre September 21st and 22nd at 7pm. For tickets, click here. To learn more about composer Cory Gabel, read below.
Cory Gabel
Cory Gabel is an American composer, singer, songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and record producer. He first became known as the lead singer and songwriter for the grunge rock-era band Limestone Rome from 1993 to 2001. As a composer, he is known for his solo piano work and his frequent collaborations with dance companies, producing original, modern dance and ballet scores.
Cory was born in Hays, Kansas, where music was a central part of family life. A self-proclaimed (and proud) “band nerd,” he earned his first composing credit in high school with the drumline feature “Revolt of the Proletariat,” and went on to be the drum major of the marching band. Yup, that happened.
After graduating college, Cory moved to Los Angeles, and founded the alternative rock band Limestone Rome with his sister, Ursula. Digital recording, streaming and the Internet changed the landscape for indie rock bands, so Cory fronted the band, produced its records, and founded his own record label.
Cory parlayed his 90s alt-rock experience into instrumental piano records (curious, right?) in the early 2000s, releasing One Road and Alabaster Sky. He continued to experiment as a producer, and the exposure of his diverse range of music to filmmakers and producers paved the way into composing for dance, theater, and the occasional strange short film.
In 2009, he teamed with Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre for The Casket Girls. The project marked a career-defining turning point for Cory, as his rock and classical influences converged for the first time in a dark and dramatic piece. A new passion was affirmed, and the dance productions Water Wars, The Odyssey and The Moon would all soon follow.
In 2013, Cory combined his love of music and wine as a perfect excuse to embark on a “composing tour” of the California wine country. He spent a week in the vineyards of Paso Robles, keyboard in tow, using the surroundings as inspiration. The album Paso was the result, containing many of the nearly two dozen songs written during the tour.
Cory’s music and soundtracks can be found on Spotify, iTunes, and hundreds of digital outlets worldwide. His releases include the solo piano records Alabaster Sky and Paso, dance works The Casket Girls and Water Wars, the single Hallelujah and Limestone Rome’s Charge the Head. Sadly, nothing from high school marching band is available online. Yet.
Cory works from his home studio in Simsbury, CT, where he lives with his wife of 22 years, Donna, and their children Kiera, 12 and Max, 9
