New Salle

Photo by Devin Alberda

The New Salle piece is great. I know I may sound biased, but by the same token, I have been involved, in some capacity, in all of Troy’s works and I think Dear and Blackbirds and the New Salle are two great ballets. Each is a huge step forward in his choreographic growth and maturity. 

The New Salle features five dancers, Taylor, David, Lauren, Meagan, and Claire. The music is composed by Ellis (with Troy’s influence) with the collaboration of David Salle who created artwork (a series of 8 pieces) that helps drive the music and then Troy’s choreography. Each movement is unique in all aspects. The music is distinct through all eight movements. One of the things that I find so special about this piece is that each movement is completely different from the next, musically and choreographically. It is varied and complex, yet simple and clean. The piece is complete dance. I mean pure dance! No drama or froufrou - it is dance at its best. The dancers each have moments all their own, whether it be a solo for one or a pas de deux, it is jam-packed with pure talent and joy. I love watching the piece. It makes me want to get up and dance. 

New Salle Photo by Troy Schumacher

Though in the high altitude, the piece was an extreme push for the dancers. As it is pure dance, they hardly stop moving. Oxygen was heavily used throughout the rehearsals! (Thank you Palm for providing the tanks!) Not sure what we would have done without them. Like Impulse and Dear and Blackbirds, we worked our way through each section daily, giving corrections, cleaning and making choreographic changes. 

Towards the end of the rehearsal week, Troy finished the 18 minute ballet! It was a day of celebration! He wasn’t sure if he’d be able to finish the piece before the workshop performance but being in Telluride was definitely inspiring and helped him to create!

Stay tuned for my experience being Troy’s Choreographic Assistant and our adventures in Nature!