MIDDLETOWN — Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet, in collaboration with the Cuatro Puntos Ensemble, will present the world premier of “Uncaged” as a part of their spring performance Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main St..The performance is being billed as "an evening of music, movement, and visual art that brings hidden stories to light," according to a press release."In Afghanistan, where music and art are forbidden, women have been silenced and pushed out of society," E...
MIDDLETOWN — Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet, in collaboration with the Cuatro Puntos Ensemble, will present the world premier of “Uncaged” as a part of their spring performance Sunday at 6 p.m. at the Church of the Holy Trinity, 381 Main St..
The performance is being billed as "an evening of music, movement, and visual art that brings hidden stories to light," according to a press release.
"In Afghanistan, where music and art are forbidden, women have been silenced and pushed out of society," Ekklesia sai in a prepared statement. "Some Afghan women refuse to be silenced."
Four women connected with UK composer Sadie Harrison, the Hartford-based string ensemble Cuatro Puntos, and the ballet to "bring their stories to life through music and dance."
The score, commissioned by Cuatro Puntos, is based on the artworks and poetry by commissioned Afghan women artists and poets. These artworks were "transported" out of Afghanistan through an organization called Beyond Skin, a Northern Ireland-based intercultural arts collective working to build peace and social cohesion," the news release said.
Art will be on display at the performance.
"Witness the strength and beauty that emerges when voices refuse to be silenced. Join us for this unforgettable evening of art, music, and movement — a celebration of resilience and the enduring power of creative expression," the release said.
The ballet emphasizes "strong classical technique and a flow of movement that is versatile and strong," it continued. Students have gone on to study at American Ballet Theatre, Alvin Ailey, and other professional companies.
The school has a dual mission: to train classical ballet dancers capable of joining the ranks of Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet and other professional companies, and to offer young children and adults an introduction to classical ballet and the "joy of communicating through movement."
The ballet performed "Ahavah: The Story of Christmas" at Middletown High School in December.
The performance includes mature themes and may not be suitable for all audiences, the company said. Parental discretion is advised.
For tickets, visit ekklesiaballet.org or follow Ekklesia Contemporary Ballet on Facebook.