Artistic Director, Crystal Lewis
Photo Credit: Jenny Gerena
I am vastly fascinated by the complexities and power of the human body, as well as the complexities of the overall human condition. I am intrigued by the connection between the physical state, and the emotional state, of an individual. I find the unique features that make up the physical body, as well as the spiritual make-up of human beings, to be absolutely compelling and completely intertwined. I feel the body is extremely communicative, and as such, the main vessel for bridging both creative movement and self-expression, powerfully integrating both motion and emotion. With this understanding, I aspire to connect with audiences on a deep visceral and emotional level, with a mission of affecting the human spirit.
I also believe we all have a story, and perhaps in a sense, we are all somehow interconnected by those individual stories, as well as by the societies in which we live and establish ourselves. It is through this connection I find inspiration in creating work that embodies an honest, organic, fresh, inventive and textured approach in communicating those stories, thoughts and emotions, through the medium of concert dance. I aspire to help people connect, understand each other, and perhaps along the way, exchange some insightful dialogue. In my creative process, I consider creative research to be a key element and strongly believe that both collaboration, and the final creation of the work, can not only be richly therapeutic, but can also serve to help connect the multidimensional, whole self of the individual. Through Conversion Dance Project I hope to create work that is thought provoking, clever, visually stimulating, engaging, eclectic and leaves a lasting, positive affect, upon the human spirit.
As a dance educator I try to instill the importance of being hyper sensitive to your body and discovering how it likes to move whenever possible. I explain to my students that everyone's body and anatomy is different, and we will all take our own personal journey or pathway toward success. We will hopefully all arrive at the same place in the end, but perhaps will have different modes of arriving there. I personally am an analytical mover and as such I try to stay true to my own body. So as a dance maker and teacher , I respect and value individuality, personal investigations within the body of the individual, and absolutely love working with inquisitive and playful dancers who just enjoy moving.
-Artistic Director, Crystal Lewis