George Alley

Plunging into scenic ritual, mysticism and the dark sciences of the occult, choreographer George Alley brings his most recent piece, The Sator Formula, to "The New Edge Mix", the residency program for talented local artists at the Community Education Center.The Sator Formula takes its title from a magic square that emerged in ancient Pompeii and whose secrets have been probed subsequently by Egyptians, Romans, early Christians and Masons. In the piece, Alley turns to the human quest for encapsulating truth in a formula, which has led men from the Bronze Age to today's technological era to become adepts of metaphysical sciences and systems of belief such as Alchemy, Scientology, Kabbalah, and Cybernetics. Going beyond a historical context, the dance takes its references from the current intermeangling of pop culture and spiritual life in America. Alley comments on the involvement of icons like Tom Cruise and Madonna with Scientology and Kabbalah as a phenomenon that is not merely religious but that also illustrates these cults' scheme for influencing public opinion. For Alley, the appeal of the topic lies on the involvement of forces not all of them positive in the process of cult-making. He promises to make this work for seven dancers a scenic ritual illustrating how seeds of evil enfilter the growing of any cult from a spiritual force to a system pursuing power and domination. In approaching the material, he committs to both his and the audience's involvement: "This piece is an experiment in creating evil onstage; it is my personal attempt to dominate the minds of the audience", he announces. Performed by: Julia Crawford, Danielle Kinne, Philip Moore, Amy Smith, Abby Zbikowski Music by: Drew Castellano and George Alley Projections by: Hope Miller Lighting by: Michael Keeler Tech Support: Katherine Knorr The Primrose Path choreographed by George Alley of Alley Ink Dance, Informed by psychological thrillers such as Alfred Hitchcock's The Birds, Notorious and Vertigo, Alley's The Primrose Path recreates the atmosphere, mystery, and glamour of a Hollywood bygone era.Blurring the boundary between high art and popular culture, The Primrose Path draws upon a broad movement vocabulary comprising from American modern dance to social dances to poses from fashion magazines.The piece is set to a piano score by Franz Liszt, but the dancers add to the soundscape by playing the piano onstage. Guitarist Drew Castellano joins them onstage. (this clip) Performed MAY 27-28.05 The Ethical Society Building, 1906 S. Rittenhouse, Philadelphia PA also performed Sunday, October 9 2005 3pm featured at the CEC "Meet the Artist series" Performers: George Alley, Carolyn Merritt, Philip Moore, Lester Tom?Abby Zbikowski Original Score by Drew Castilliano, Abby Zbikowski and George Alley