N.Y.I.D.E. news
September 13, 2008

The Sean McLeod Dance Experience Debuts in the United Kingdom

About the Sean McLeod Dance Experience:

American Choreographer Sean McLeod and the Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre debut a second dance company that bears Sean McLeod's name and brings his special approach to dance and interaction to the stage.

Sean McLeod is an altruistic "believer in people," whose choreographic ingenuity is only surpassed by his civic-minded pursuits and deep compassion for mankind. An American Institute for Public Service to America - Jefferson Award Winner, Sean's choreographic work is both a technical display of his depth in understanding composition, and his great use of tools that range from deeply dramatic themes to the anecdotal use of comedy.

His work depicts a diversity of topics (if not "diversity" itself) as he challenges people to embrace humanity and inclusion. His professional work in musical theatre since the age of nine has given him an equal exposure to music and directing which enables him to deliver expressly themed work effortlessly. Mr. McLeod can inspire a cast to focus their specific talents and desires to present a single idea in the most thought provoking manner. His successes include concert dance, ethnic-based work, musical theatre, and social commentary. Sean McLeod's unique approach and connection to dance starts with the dance technique he developed.

Sean McLeod conceived a dance technique that was more an experience of survival, and turned it into a movement of self-assurance, forgiveness, and fulfillment. As most dancers do, Sean had come to study and hate his every imperfection because of the unforgiving yet beautiful experience of dance. However, he always noticed that no matter how bad it was for him, it was always far worse for the girls! Dance could be an absolute place of destruction for a woman's self image and ability to see herself as anything other than a work in progress, fighting her body for a perfection that honestly would never come.

Sean's dance technique was primarily created to help women learn to appreciate themselves again. MT showed women their value, and then locked it into their bodies and souls through movement. The results were immediately noticeable. No matter how many times the dancers made mistakes, they stopped self-loathing and started to learn how to fail with smiles on their faces. Shortly thereafter, Sean realized men were not exempt from these feelings and self-attacks! He soon incorporated male experiences into the development, and the technique
became universal.

The Sean McLeod Dance Experience debuted in
England at the Fairfields Arts Centre, September 13,
2008, presenting 5 UK premieres including works by
Vancouver Choreographer Brenna McLaud, New York Choreographer Jerami Kipp, and the award-winning
Sean McLeod. Company Members for this debut tour
included Jamie Beth Wiegand, Annie Hubben, Jerami
Kipp, Lorienne Beals, and Sean McLeod of New York.

Company photography by Mark Andrew, resident
photographer for the National Museum of Dance.
Company promotional photography © Mark Andrew
Images. Additional company images found on
www.markandrewimages.com

Click here to see the UK debut
performance videos on YouTube