I first saw Andre Zachery perform in Lift, in Atlanta, about 5 years ago. I was immediately drawn to his choreographic voice as it was a complete juxtaposition of the way I moved. While I was dancing, I would always study those dancers who were different from me in an effort to inspire my own development. Andre, to me, was very clear and deliberate. His movement spoke to me like words and I could see his connection to the story he was sharing with the audience.
Since then I have silently followed his career. Creating groundbreaking ways of moving, traveling around the world to perform and teach, a company of fierce dancers here in New York City, constantly presenting new works and ideas. Through his work, people who might have never had a voice get to speak and be heard through this beautiful art form. His attention to detail and care for the message he is conveying allows his work to be performed in the most pure and honest way. His intellect shines as he is a student of the world and deems it important to show not only the artistic aspect, but the human aspect as well.
Not only is he an activist in his own right, but his dancers live their lives in purpose as well! I am so excited to present this series to you of Andre Zachery and the Renegade Performance Group!!! My hope is to sit down with each of these people and dive into the truth about what drives them as dancers....I'm sure we will find a plethora of inspiration and thought provoking ideas.
You can learn more about Andre below, but before you do I'd like to urge you to support this amazing artist and his company of dancers NOVEMBER 4-7th for their AFROFUTURISM Series at Irondale Center in Brooklyn!!! For more information on how to support please visit the link below!!!
Where are you from originally?
- Chicago, IL
What is your dance background? How long have you been dancing?
- I have been training as a dancer for almost 30 years (insane) and have studied an enormous amount of techniques from Modern techniques, Ballet, West African techniques, Capoeira, and grew-up with Hip-hop, street, and breaking.
What word would you say best describes your movement vocabulary? Why?
- My movement is based in raw physicality. It is about maximizing the body as moving vessel in space with dynamic energy, awareness of others, and completing a desired objective.
When you are dancing, what do you feel most....happy, lucky, fulfilled??
- When I was younger, it was exhilarating to dance on stage and liberating to dance in a party. Now, it is even more liberating to dance at a party and a social statement to perform.
What inspired you to create your own company and technique? How is it different from other forms of dance you have studied?
- Creating my own company was a means to have an outlet for my own creative voice. It has since grown into a mission to create new narratives and symbolism for the artistic landscape of this country. My style of movement is different because I have made very focused efforts to decentralize Classical ballet from my work as a choreographer.
- My process begins with wanting to explore an idea and my relationship to it... Understanding social dynamics and contemporary existence. I'm interested in offering new perspectives and possibilities through my artistry rather than directly commenting on what is in front of us. What comes first is the concept, the the message, the performers, the music.
What do you feel is the most important ingredient to teaching movement and rehearsing with your dancers?
- Clear direction and communication. I let my performers know what I'm looking for and we work together finding out the best way to achieve this task. Being honest about where you are in your own development process, and inviting the team in to help craft something from this meeting of minds.
What do you enjoy most about watching (your) dancers?
- I love my performers because we simply want to do the work and share it in a meaningful way with others! The way we work in RPG is honoring the task laid before with your best ability and with honesty.
What fear have you overcome thanks to dance?
- I have overcome the fear of not being prepared... sometimes you have to go for it whether you feel ready or not! Trusting yourself!
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT THIS COMPANY PLEASE CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW!
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HELP REACH THEIR GOAL PLEASE
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