Performances
2024 Events
"The Eternal Feminine" is a trio featuring Christine McDonald, Thuy Phan, and Elizabeth Rookey. The work will be performed on Saturday, June 8 at 3:30, in the Indoor Theater in the Sanctuary at Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre, as part of Dance for World Community Festival.
This is the 14th year of Dance for World Community and our 14th year of presenting a work in this annual festival of dance in Boston. We are now 100 percenters and thrilled to be a part of this highly anticipated, yearly event.
What: I will present a new piece, "The Eternal Feminine," performed by Christine McDowell, Thuy Phan, and Elizabeth Rookey.
When and Where: Saturday June 8 at 3:30 on the Indoor Stage in the Sanctuary Theater located at Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre (400 Harvard Street, Cambridge), in the Old Baptist Church along Mass Ave. between Bow Street and Putnam Ave in Harvard Square.
The festival begins at 12 noon. During the afternoon there will be 60 companies performing on 4 outdoor stages plus in the Sanctuary Theater. Intro level classes in many genres of dance will happen throughout the day. The event is free and open to everyone.
Transportation: You can take the Red Line to Harvard Square and walk two blocks to the festival.
The dancers and I would love to see you on Saturday June 8 at 3:30, on the Indoor Stage in the Sanctuary Theater at JMBT.
2023 Events
"Moving Through" is a quartet featuring Lavinia Kosher, Christine McDonald, Elizabeth Rookey and Amane Takaishi to the music of Scarlatti, "Sonatas 322, 193, and 386." The work was performed at Boston University Dance Theatre, September 24, 2023.
https://vimeo.com/868071364/329c3a0ab9
2022 Events
"Quartet" is a quartet featuring Lavinia Kosher, Jenn Markham, Christine McDonald, and Thuy Phan to the music of Cambridge (MA) composer Thomas Oboe Lee, "Testament 1-2-3-4." The work was performed at Dance for World Community, September 24, 2022.
https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/754914334/48704f3e85
2021 Events
Margot created three pieces during the pandemic lockdown. Each is in response to some aspect of isolation.
“Synchronicity” was created on Zoom for former Company member, Christie Taylor Seaver, who worked from her home in Ireland. The dance was then taught in a studio to company member Christine McDowell.
The video below captures the two dancers performing the same dance in different spaces: one is performing inside in Ireland; the other, outside in Cambridge, at Dance For World Community, September 25, 2021.
This is the beginning of a longer work that will include six dancers.
The music is by Cambridge (MA) composer Thomas Oboe Lee, "Duo Concertante for Viola and Piano (2018), Adagio."
“A Galliard,” a courtship dance of hope. This was an experiment to see if it was possible to sync movement with the counts given to the six dancers over Zoom. It became clear that dancers need to be coached together in order to dance together. The dancers are Amane Takaishi, Heather Eliot, Christine McDowell, Stephen Behan, Ashley Zhang, and Thuy Phan. The music is by Cambridge (MA) composer Thomas Oboe Lee, "Suite for Solo Cello (2014), Courante - Allegretto."
Touch Me Not,” danced to spoken accompaniment by Marsha Karp of “Whoso List the Hunt,” a poem by Sir Thomas Wyatt that expresses his forbidden love for Ann Boleyn. The dancers are Christine McDowell, Amane Takaishi, and Marin Orlosky.
2020 Events
Margot received the Michael T. Shannon Dance Champion Award from the Boston Dance Alliance, June 14, 2020
Dance Showcase 2019, BU Dance Theatre, September 27-28, 2019
Premier of "Waltz Suite" with dancers Heather Eliot, Christine McDowell, and Marin Orlosky.
Be Part of the Creative Experience, at The Dance Complex, June 23, 2019
DanceVisions, Inc. performed a contemporary ballet entitled "A Waltz," choreographed by Artistic Director, Margot Parsons.
Historically, we owe a great deal to the waltz's part in allowing women to reinvent themselves by dancing together. These waltzes are a nod to the independence of women. They do not follow the ballroom structure of a waltz.
In addition to the presentation, the Company deconstructed a contemporary waltz from the repertoire, showing how different types of music affect the interpretation and the reading of a piece of choreography. A phrase of movement was taught for audience members who wished like to participate.
Dance for World Community, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Sanctuary, June 25, 2019
"A Waltz" with dancers Heather Eliot, Christine McDowell, and Marin Orlosky. The 4-dance suite included music by Cambridge composer Thomas Oboe Lee.
2018 Events
Dance Showcase, September 21-22, 2018
Premier of "Waltz," in tribute to a friend, Oliver.
Tiny & Short: A Drop in the Bucket, September 14-16, 2018
Premier of "Al Dente," a solo for Ashley Zhang.
Be Part of the Creative Experience, June 23, 2018
DanceVisions, Inc. presented the first steps of creating a dance -- and the nuts and bolts
that go into making a piece of choreography.
Dance for World Community Festival, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Sanctuary, June 9th, 2018
DanceVisions presented “Clarity” as part of Dance For World Community 10th anniversary year.
Carlos Micháns, the Dutch composer of the music, stated “Beautifully done and danced ... very graceful and not just an (hysterical) explosion of movement and jumping, as is often the case ... stylish and graceful and a real pleasure to look at.”
Living Legacies: Margot Parsons, "In Transit,"
with Aerial Artist, Marin Orlosky Randow, April 6 and 7, 2018
A full-evening performance of new dances along with pieces from the repertoire of DanceVisions, Inc.
Performers include Khiara Bridges, Daisy Giunta, Anna Guastella, Dana Hammarstrom, Anna Kobzeva-Herzog, Christine McDowell, Marin Orlosky, Margot Palaith Parsons, Kate Penner, Amane Takaishi, and Ashley Zhang. Composers include William Bolcom, Robin Cho, Ken Field, Ai Isshiki and Steven Milton, Carlos Micháns, and poetry read by Professor T. Jefferson Kline.
2017 Events
DanceVisions presents 35, June 16 and 17, 2017
"35" celebrates the 35th anniversary of DanceVisions, Inc.
Choreography by Artistic Director Margot Parsons, Marin Orlosky, and Christine McDowell
From the Horse's Mouth, May 5-7, 2017
A Celebration of Dancers' Lives Through Stories and Movement
Conceived and Directed by Tina Croll & James Cunningham
Performers include Margot Parsons along with 27 other members of the Boston dance community
Tiny & Short: A Drop in the Bucket, February 12, 2017
2 works, a Solo (in Tiny) and a Quartet (in Short)
Dancers: Rachel Miscenich, Katelyn Bourdeau, Marin Orlosky, Thuy Phan, and Ashley Zhang
2016 Events
The Harvard Ballet Company Presents "Oz," at Farkas Hall, October 21 - 24, 2016
Margot choreographed a new work for nine dancers entitled "And So It Began: The Tornado/The Dream"
Boston University Dance Showcase, September 30 and October 1, 2016
2 new works -- "Open Field III: Shadows"(performed by Rachel Miscenich Catanzariti)
and "When" (a Premiere, performed by Khiara Bridges and Rachel Miscenich Catanzariti
DanceVisions, Inc. Presents “Borders,” June 4 and 18, 2016
A Salon-Style Dance Performance with Q&A Facilitators David Alexander and Iris Fanger
Dancers: Khiara Bridges, Kate McMahon, Rachel Miscenich Catanzariti,
Marin Orlosky, Thuy Phan, Ethan Pravetz, and Ashley Zhang
2019 Events
Margot was honored at the Boston University Dance Theatre Group Reunion on November 19. 2020
Dance for World Community Festival, June 11, 2016
2 works with dancers Khiara Bridges, Kate McMahon, Marin Orlosky, Thuy Phan,
Ethan Pravetz, and Ashley Zhang
The Festival of You & Us & We & them, June 24 and 25, 2016
2 works with dancers Khiara Bridges, Kate McMahon, Marin Orlosky, Thuy Phan,
Ethan Pravetz, and Ashley Zhang
2015 Events
The Festival of You & Us & We & Them, November 20-22, 2015
2 works with dancers Khiara Bridges, Marin Orlosky, and Thuy Phan
Dance Showcase, Boston University Dance Theatre, October 2-3, 2015
2 premieres: "Open Field I" performed by Marin Orlosky and Thuy Phan and "Open Field II" performed by Khiara Bridges
Dance for World Community Festival, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Sanctuary, June 13, 2015
2 dances: "En l'Air," performed by Marin Orlosky, and "Here and There," performed by Thuy Phan and Ashley Zhang
DanceVisions, Inc. presents "Depth of Field," BU Dance Theatre, May 1 and 2, 2015
An evening of dances by Lynn Modell and Margot Parsons with lighting design by Lynda Rieman
Dancers: Ann Brown Allen, John Andrews, Jackie Borck, Peggy Campion, Judith Chaffee, Anna Gaziano,
Ava Geffen, Lisa Guisbond, Eurydice Hirsey, Nadya Karpova, Katelyn McMahon, Yael Marshall, Lynn Modell, Ava Moreno, Marin Orlosky, Margot Parsons, Thuy Phan, Ethan Pravetz, Natalie Rock, Reisa Sperling,
Elaine Shannon, Micki Taylor-Pinney, Ashley Zhang
Dance Currents, Inc. Presents "Drawn In"
a Concert with guest artists from DanceVisions at Green Street Studios, January 31, 2015
2 works: a solo, "When," performed by Anna Gaziano, and
a duet, "We're Alright Back Here," performed by Marin Orlosky and Ethan Pravetz
2014 Events
Identified Moving Objects, at The Dance Complex, November 15, 2014
A new work, "When," danced by Anna Gaziano
Dance Showcase, Boston University Dance Theatre, September 26 and 27, 2014
"All Right Back Here" with Marin Orlosky and Ethan Pravitz
and Marin Orlosky and Margot Parsons' "Aloft" (Premier)
"All Right Back Here" (duet) was inspired by the freshness of a new friendship.
"Aloft" (quartet) is focused on exploring the sense of flight through conbining aerial work with contemporary ballet.
Dance for World Community Festival, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Sanctuary, June 14, 2014
A new work, "Summer Heat," with dancers: Meredith Baer, Anna Gaziano, Marin Orlosky, Ethan Pravetz, and Amane Takaishi
BalletNY presents "Dreams" by Margot Parsons at Ailey Citigroup Theater, New York, NY, April 15-17, 2014
An 11-minute work choreographed by Margot Parsons, with an original score by Ai Isshiki and Steve Milton, and dancers of BalletNY company
2013 Events
DanceVisions, Inc. presents "Flight" in 2 performances at BU Dance Theatre, May 5, 2013
A 45-minute work choreographed by Margot Parsons, with sound score by Andreas Randow and lighting by Lynda Rieman. Dancers: Marin Orlosky, Thuy Phan, Mary Elizabeth Tinervin, Chelsea Wilson
A collaboration with Andreas Randow, a local software architect, entrepreneur, and flight enthusiast. As an innovative experiment, "Flight" was collaboratively developed according to an object-oriented programming approach. It explored the emotional experience and physical properties of flight, particularly the shared experience of airplane travel. The object-inheritance properties of this programming approach lend themselves to each phase of the dance as an abstract task to complete, before moving on to the next part of the travel experience.
Four dancers are onstage in this forty-minute piece of choreography that is brought to a new dimension with a sound score by Randow. The work is an abstraction of an experience that nearly everyone can relate to, created using a technological approach to art making. Through this combination of art, technology, and near-universal human experience, we created a dance performance that resonates on a personal level with the audience.
Choreographer Series, Third Life Studio, Somerville, February 22, 2013, produced by Kelly Donovan
"Twill" choreographed by Pam Newton, danced by Margot Parsons, music by Christopher Renna
2012 Events
Dance Showcase, Boston University Dance Theatre, September 28 and 29, 2012
"Gateway" (premiere) danced by Marin Orlosky, Kate Penner, Mary Elizabeth Tinervin, and Ashley Zhang
"Here and There," a 30th Anniversary of DanceVisions, Inc., at The Dance Complex, June 8 and 9, 2012
This show honored the very special dancers who have worked in the choreography of Margot Parsons for many years, bringing their grace, artistry, clarity, and beauty to the dances. The dancers featured are Connie Blumenthal, Nicole DeVicci, Langston Fishburne, Jackie Flynn, Daisy and Ruby Giunta, Anna Kharaz, Lia Kaynor, Julie Krieg, Sara Lapery, Eliza Mallouk, Marcie Mitler, Christine McDowell, Madelaine O'Connell, Marin Orlosky, and Julianna Stavros.
Across the Ages Dance Project, Green Street Studios, June 1-3, 2012
2 works "Tapestry" and "Minuet for Ruby"
Dance for World Community Festival, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Sanctuary, June 9, 2012
"Clarity" with dancers Nicole DeVicci, Christine McDowell, and Marin Orlosky
Rising UP a Dance Showcase, at the Robsham Theater, March 30 and 31, 2012
"Trilogy"
Choreographer Series at the Third Life Studio, Somerville, February 23, 2012, Produced by Kelly Donovan
"Journée" with Elizebeth Randall
2011 Events
20th Anniversary of The Dance Complex, November 12 and 13, 2011
"Clarity" with dancers Nicole DeVicci, Shannon Luchs, and Marin Orlosky.
Dance Showcase at BU Dance Theatre, September 30 and October 1, 2011
"Clarity" (premier) with dancers Nicole DeVicci, Shannon Luchs, and Marin Orlosky.
Dance for World Community Festival, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Sanctuary, June 11, 2011
"Stirrings/Dream" (excerpt 2011) with dancers Nicole DeVicci, Shannon Luchs, and Christine McDowell, to an original score by Ai Isshiki and Steve Milton
Faculty Show, The Dance Complex, May 14 and 15, 2011
2 works: "Continuum," with Elizebeth Randall, to music by John Cage performed by David C. Robbins on a prepared piano modified by the pianist according to instructions from John Cage and
"Stirrings/Dream" (excerpt 2011), with dancers Nicole DeVicci, Shannon Luchs, and Christine McDowell, to original music by Ai Isshiki and Steve Milton.
“Stirrings,” Presented by DanceVisions, Inc. at The Dance Complex, April 1 and 2, 2011
“Stirrings,” an hour-long performance of six pieces choreographed by Margot Parsons with music composed by Ai Isshiki and Steve Milton, presented by DanceVisions, Inc.
The show entitled “Stirrings” includes six pieces that all involve the interconnection of individuals who are traveling forward and backward in time, revisiting the past, and addressing the future. The pieces enter the habitat of the light and dark where the quality of mutuality winds itself around the changing series of planes. The evening captures the quiet stirrings that exist around our frenzied life.
Dancers: Jessica DeJean, Nicole DeVicci, Daisy Giunta, Youn Kyung Lee, Shannon Luchs, Christine McDowell, and Elizebeth Randall
2010 Events
DANCE AND BACK AGAIN, at The Dance Complex, November 13 and 14, 2010
"Stirrings" performed by Nicole DeVicci and Christine McDowell with music by Ai Isshiki and Steve Milton
and "Journée" performed by Elizebeth Randall
Dance Showcase at BU Dance Theatre, October 1 and 2, 2010
2 pieces: "Stirrings," Music by Ai Isshiki and Steve Milton, performed by Nicole DeVicci and Christine McDowell, and "Journée," performed by Elizebeth Randall
Dance for World Community Festival, Jose Mateo Ballet Theatre Sanctuary, June 12, 2010
“Temporal Constellation” (Excerpt 2) with music, "Kaleidescope" by Ai Isshiki and
dancers: Youn Kyung Lee, Christine McDowell, Rachel Nizhnikova
Aurora Borealis,A Festival of Light and Dance, Roberts Studio Theater, Calderwood Pavilion at the BCA, February 25-28, 2010
"Temporal Constellation" (Excerpt 1) with dancers: Youn Kyung Lee, Christine McDowell, Rachel Nizhnikova
2009 Events
It’s a Living, 18th Birthday Party at The Dance Complex, November 14 and 15, 2009
“Streets of Laredo,” Music by Erik Lindgren, Dancers: Nicole DeVicci, Daisy Merritt Giunta, Malia Hill,
and Christine McDowell
"Temporal Constellation," 2 performances, BU Dance Theatre, October 24, 2009
Choreography by Margot Parsons, Music by Tom Johnson, performed live by Theodore Bale
Dancers: Jennifer Carr, Katie Crowley, Nicole DeVicci, Malia Hill, Youn Kyung Lee, Christine McDowell, Rachel Nizhnikov, Jim Banta, and Langston Fishburne. Lighting Design by Lynda Rieman
"Temporal Constellation" was performed for one hour without intermission in a gallery-like atmosphere. Prior to the showing, Ms. Parsons and Mr. Bale discussed their recent collaboration, offering viewers some additional tools for understanding and engaging with the dance. It explored ideas of stratification, transmutation, and a changing series of planes while allowing certain narrative themes to emerge, fade and return as the dance progresses. Observers have called it "mesmerizing" and filled with "powerful elegance."
Dance Showcase, BU Dance Theatre, October 2 and 3, 2009
"Interchange" with dancers Nicole DeVicci and Christine McDowell