Coastline Dance

“Tempest”, an original contemporary dance piece, was inspired by Shakespeare’s “The Tempest”. The dance follows the character Miranda as she explores her relationship with the ocean and the mysterious island she calls home. “Tempest” opens with a tableau mirroring the painting “Miranda and the Tempest”, by pre-raphaelite artist John William Waterhouse. The tableau breaks and Miranda, choreographer/dancer Sarah Canfield, begins her solo. She is joined by “The Sea”, company members Ivanna Wei and Mary Haynes, who mimic the movements of the ocean. Original music, composed and performed by Suzanne Schwetz and Laura Hughes, create an ethereal, dreamlike atmosphere.

This 20 minute dance piece is a celebration of the delicate beauty of life and the powerful struggle for survival in the face of adversity. Sarah Canfield, artistic director of Coastline Dance, would like to dedicate this piece to her grandmother, whose life was sadly cut short by breast cancer. Sarah would also like to dedicate this piece to the wonderful women in her Encore swim class. These women are cancer survivors and have truly inspired her with their stories and their hope.

“The object of art is to give life a shape.” – William Shakespeare

Filed under: Art Inspiration, Nature Inspiration on August 1st, 2008