MISSION IMPROVABLE ‘24
Video highlights of Untamed Grace (7 minutes)
Directed, Choreographed, and Designed by Stephan Koplowitz
Untamed Grace (2024)
A Performance Journey of Improv and Site
Commissioned by Center Mouvement & Nancy Hughes
Site Location: St. John's Grace, Buffalo, NY
Performed April 14, 2024
Untamed Grace was born from choreographer/producer Nancy Hughes' invitation to lead her annual Mission Improvable creative process workshop in Buffalo, NY. The vision for our process was to meld a site-specific approach to an improvisational mind to create a work of site performance. Given the brevity of our time together (five days), I decided the performance site should be where previous Mission Improvable's had occurred, at St. John's Grace (Episcopal Church). My excitement grew exponentially when I learned that a professional Gamelan orchestra is in residence at the church, resulting in our happy collaboration with Matt Dunning and Nusantara Arts.
Untamed Grace (full version) 23 minutes
Producer Nancy Hughes created this short promotional video to support fundraising efforts for the residency, it features dancing by Nancy Hughes and an0th3r.l0p3z
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Untamed Grace
A Performance Journey of Improv and SiteApril 14, 2024Location: St. John’s Grace (Episcopal Church) Buffalo, NY
Directed, Choreographed, and Designed by Stephan Koplowitz
In Collaboration with the Performers of Mission Improvable
Performers/Collaborators: Fenna Mandolang, an0th3r.l0p3z, Avye Alexandres, Jenna Zodl,
Tim Greco, Jeremiah Apton, Bryan Johnson, Milagros Paredese, Christina Vega-Westhoff,
Melanie Aceto, Tim Greco, Monica Karwan, Sophia Roberts, May Kesler, Lindsay Daniels,
Ailani Graham-Shaw, Nanako Horikawa Mandrino, Sara Golic
With Stephanie Beauchamp performing 50 Looks (excerpt) by Merce Cunningham (under licensefrom the Merce Cunningham Trust, owner and copyright holder)
Music by Nusantara Arts, directed by Matt Dunning
Nusantara Arts Musicians:
Matt Dunning, Kelly Miller Schreiner, John Spears, Dan Lesniak,Riesa Avanti, Peter Theryo, Tom Torrisi, Al Griffin, Kurt Volle,
Halim Byron, Kevin Kud, Juan Sebastian
2024 Mission Improvable Team
Organizational Manager: Lindsay Daniels
Cook Extraordinaire: Stephanie Beauchamp
Photographer: Michael Mandolfo
Assistants to Stephan Koplowitz and Stephanie Beauchamp:
an0th3r.l0p3z and Sara Golic
Community class teacher: Connor Graham
Community Jam leaders: Buffalo Contact Improv Collective
Community class teachers: Max and Amaya
Community jam leader: an0th3r.l0p3z
Taking Care of the Space: Jenna Zodl
Breakfast Helper: Jeremiah Apton
Special Thanks:
St. John’s Grace, Clergy, and Staff and Phil Wackerfuss -
VIDEO CREDITS:
Videography: Nick Green and Henry Raes
Video Editor: Keonah Son