The Experience
A hallmark of Philadelphia’s intimate performing spaces, Susan Hess Modern Dance (SHMD) blurs the lines between process and product by inviting audiences in at various stages of a dance work. Hess sees SHMD as a window of opportunity to see the creative process of up-and-coming dance and performance artists.
“The Choreographers Project and its new offspring, the Masters Exchange,” she says, “are mentoring programs for invited noted pedagogues who have worked with choreographers like Leah Stein, Gin MacCallum, Roko Kawai, Eric Schofer, Darla Stanley and Charles Anderson to name a few.” The 2002 season saw the first annual spring performances by SHMD’s roster of dancers at Innovation Studio at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts.
History
Juilliard trained Susan Hess opened the studio 21 years ago and celebrated its 20th anniversary with a commemorative lecture series called Six American Dance Pioneers. Held at the larger Painted Bride Art Center, some of the 20th century’s leading choreographers and modern dancers, including Merce Cunningham, Trisha Brown, Carmen DeLavallade and Donald McKayle, gave a retrospective of their life and work.