Prometheus Dance in Cambridge, MA | Dance Schools

Prometheus Dance

Prometheus Dance was founded in 1987 by Ms. Noya and has become one of Massachusetts’ most outstanding and established modern dance companies, contributing quality dance performance, arts education and cultural service to the community. Named One of the Year’s Ten Best in Dance by The Boston Phoenix in 2006 & 2004, The Boston Herald in 2002, and The Boston Globe in 2000, the company performs extensively both nationally and internationally. Developed through a highly-charged and theatrical choreographic style, the dances of Prometheus are visually beautiful, physically intimate, and emotionally provocative ruminations about social issues and psychological intricacies. The company is known for its performances of the large-scale works Apokalypsis, concerning the world-wide refugee crisis; Dreams, based on Jungian symbolism; Impromptus & Intrigues, a modern setting of a Schubertiade; Devil's Wedding, a look at muslim fundamentalism in modern society; and Anadimioupyia, exploring the beauty of Tourettes Syndrome; in OperaBoston's productions of Nixon In China, Alceste and The Pearl Fishers; repertory pieces performed to jazz, world and commissioned music; and outreach performances in public schools, homeless shelters and nursing homes.
Masterclasses
Prometheus Dance Artistic Directors Diane Arvanites-Noya and Tommy Neblett, and senior company members Andy Taylor-Blenis, Nicole Sell Danizio and Callie Chapman Korn offer masterclasses world-wide in contemporary dance technique, choreography and partnering. Technique classes last between 90 minutes and two hours and emphasis the principles of alignment, fall and recovery, use of breath, quality of structural form, mastering the concept of opposing energy, directional changes and speed. Classes incorporate phrases from Prometheus repertory engaging the dancer in performance skills, including focus, intention, content and artistry.
Children's Performances - Opposites
Opposites is a one hour performance designed specifically for younger audiences grades K-4. The performance combines music, dance and participatory instruction to create a group performance where the audience becomes an integral part of the dance. The concept of relativity is introduced through the idea of opposite actions including up/down, front/back, fast/slow, loud/soft. Opposites can be block booked into the public schools or performed for a large audience in a proscenium stage theatre.
Residencies and Workshops for Children
Prometheus Dance maintains that the seeds of creative thinking and the empowerment of the population lie in the education of children. Our residencies are designed so that the children are introduced to movement by doing a variety of warm-up exercises led by the dancers, followed by an exploration of their own movement through a series of tasks and games and resulting in the investigation of choreographic impetuses. Each residency incorporates extensive pre-performance and follow-up work with both students and teachers. Residencies are designed to occur during school hours and may include up to 25 children per blocked 40 minutes. Long term residencies allow children close interaction with a professional dance company and the opportunity to discover their own movement expression and capabilities. The students learn that inspiration is the beginning of creative thinking and that creative thought extends beyond artistic expression into everyday life. Each residency includes a lecture demonstration performance by the company and often culminates in a special performance in a specific theatre where the company is performing.