This piece works largely with the ideas of rest, downtime, unwinding, and unraveling the body to partially expose an alternate state of being; one more likely found in a dream state. Columbus Park has been refashioned as an oasis in which these deconstructed bodies will display a more elaborate state of existence. As the piece unfolds through these different layers, images of billowy clouds juxtaposed with bodies that breathe amphibiously transform the park into an airy lagoon.

I spent a lot of time in the park during this process, and investigated the different ways people would let go of anything external and lose themselves in the space, almost like shedding skin... or putting on new skin. The movement ideas for the piece were extracted directly from these observations. - Sharon Estacio

For the past 28 years, I have worked in a traditional proscenium stage setting. Thus, creating Oasis was a whole new, exciting challenge for me. My stage became a public park with tables and rocks, benches and trees. My lighting became the sun and clouds. While I still used recorded sound, I drew much more on “public sounds:” news briefings, sports commentary, etc. This was also my first time collaborating with another choreographer (Sharon Estacio) during the creation process, which added a whole new, interesting element. Among these “firsts,” my goals for this piece were to accentuate the tranquility of the park against an urban backdrop, and to celebrate the park’s contribution and role in my Chinatown community in the wake of its re-opening. -H.T. Chen

H.T. Dance Company, Inc. (HTDC) is a recognized leader in dance and a leading Asian American arts institution. The recipient of the 2002 NYS Governor’s Arts Award and the 2005 BESSIES Special Citation, HTDC realizes its mission to provide moving experiences in Asian American and contemporary dance through its three affiliate programs: H.T. Chen & Dancers (est. 1978), Arts Gate Center (est. 1980), and Mulberry St Theater (MST) (est. 1988). HTDC has performed throughout the U.S. and abroad in Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, and Germany. The Company has conducted numerous extended residencies in Chicago, IL; San Francisco, CA; Williamstown, MA; Miami and Jacksonville, FL; Cincinnati, OH; Tempe, AZ; and at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC. For the past several years, the Company has worked at the LaGuardia H.S. for the Performing Arts - Dance Dept. in a special mentorship project. The Company is currently participating in the Kennedy Center’s Capacity Building Program.

H.T. Chen (Artistic Director/Choreographer) was born in Shanghai, China and raised in Taiwan. A graduate of the University of Chinese Culture in Taiwan, The Juilliard School in NYC, and NYU (MA), H.T. Chen worked for several years at La MaMa e.t.c. as an actor and dancer and choreographer with the Pan Asian Repertory Theatre. He has also been the recipient of NEA Choreography Fellowships, a CAPS grant, and a Jerome Foundation grant, and was choreographer in residence at THE YARD - A Colony for Performing Arts. Mr. Chen has taught at the Navajo Community College and the NYU Dept. of Dance Professions. He has also worked with DTW's Artists Exchange Program - International Suitcase Fund, was an Arts America Speaker for the U.S.I.A. to Mauritius, and serves on the Board for DTW. In 2003, H.T. received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Organization of Chinese Americans – Long Island Chapter, and the 2004 CUNY Asian Alumni Award for Community Service.

Choreography: H.T. Chen Music: Collage by H.T. Chen Performance: Maria Garvey, Enrique Guzman, Mackenzie Hagan, Kayan Lam, Kyrie Oda, Kimberly Prosa, Despina Stamos

Sharon Estacio has received support from Mulberry Street Theater & the Jerome Foundation’s Ear to Ground series and Aaron Davis Hall’s Fund for New Work. She has also been presented by Dixon Place, Danspace Project at St. Mark’s Church and BRIC Studio, dancenOw/nyc, La MaMa, Joyce SoHo, DNA, Jacob’s Pillow, The Eyedrum (Atlanta, GA) and SEAD (Salzburg, AU). Estacio has been in residence at the Dragon’s Egg (Ledyard, CT) and will be at Earthdance through The Field’s Artward Bound (Plainfield, MA) this August.

Choreography: Sharon Estacio with Rebecca Mehan & Will Rawls Music: Guy Klucevsek, Mum, Yann Tiersen Sound Design: Sharon Estacio Costumes: Will Rawls, Sharon Estacio Performance: Rebecca Mehan, Will Rawls, Sharon Estacio Sound Technician: Ryan Graves

Special Thanks to: Nolini Barretto, Cornelia McPherson & LMCC staff; thank you for helping to make it happen! HT Chen, Dian Dong & Mulberry St. Theater staff- for the generous donation of rehearsal space, staff support, and for this great opportunity, thank you so much! Thanks to Ryan Graves, Clare Byrne & Mandy Ringger for all advice and help; and finally a big thank you to Will Rawls & Reba Mehan for all their hard work and hard play.

Sitelines Curator and Producer: Nolini Barretto
Sitelines Intern: Cornelia McPherson

Sitelines is made possible with lead support from Altria Group, Inc. and the New York Mercantile Exchange. Additional support provided by New York State Council on the Arts, Morgan Stanley, and Harkness Foundation for Dance. Sitelines is presented by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council and in association with the River to River Festival.