Auditorium Theatre 2021-2022, Issue 5, Giordano

20 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE :: GIORDANO DANCE CHICAGO by Pew Charitable Trusts, the Philadelphia College of Performing Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, and the Jerome Robbins Foundation, among others. Koresh’s work represents his experience of both Israeli and American cultures. Born and raised in Israel, he received early dance training from his mother, a folk dancer in the Yemenite tradition. He then joined Martha Graham’s Batsheva 2 Dance Company before enlisting in the Israeli army. Koresh integrates each of these influences into his choreography, which draws its strong sense of humanity, sweeping circle patterns, military precision, and Middle Eastern flavor from his life in Israel. In 1983, Koresh moved to New York to study at Alvin Ailey, solidifying his strong foundation in ballet, Horton and Graham techniques. He soon began performing with Shimon Braun’s Waves Jazz Dance Company in Philadelphia, where he studied Luigi Jazz and developed the muscular isolations and periods of continuous movement that define his style today. At this time, he also began to draw from club dancing, hip hop, and pedestrian gesture. A consummate observer and movement chameleon, this prolific choreographer builds his movement repertoire from any genre that can best make his point clear. Undefined by any one school of movement, Koresh calls his style simply “Dance.” “If a movement fits, I use it,” says Koresh. “It is about using movement to communicate, not about adhering to a particular style.” And communicate it does, leading audiences to laughter, tears, and awe within a single program. Committed to exploring human relationships, perception, and change, Koresh produces contemporary dance that is highly technical and deeply resonant, acclaimed by critics as both innovative and accessible. “Athletic, exuberant, [and] disciplined” (Cincinnati Enquirer) , Koresh choreography displays a quick wit, “big-heartedness, and … humor” (Reading Eagle) . RAY MERCER A native of Omaha, Nebraska, Ray Mercer started his dance training at the University of New Orleans. He is presently in his 18th year as a dancer and Fight Captain in Disney’s The Lion King on Broadway. Other performance credits include projects with Garth Fagan, George Faison, Aretha Franklin, Kevin Iega Jeff, Luis Johnson, Rod Stewart, and two years on the national tour of The Lion King, as well as Chicago’s Deeply Rooted Dance Theater (company member), and Boston Ballet (guest artist). Throughout his tenure on Broadway, Mercer has also donated his time to create works for various initiatives within the Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS (Dancers Responding to AIDS, Fire Island Dance Festival, Red Bucket Follies, and more). His presentations earned the coveted ‘Best Onstage Presentation Award’ a record ten times, making him the most celebrated choreographer at BCEFA’s annual fundraising events, which raise millions of dollars each year to provide support to members of the theatre community. He was a part of the creative team that reimagined the iconic Harlem Globetrotters’ Spread Game Tour. These accomplishments, coupled with creations for premiere dance companies (Aileyii, Dallas Black Dance Theatre, Dayton Contemporary Choreographer and Collaborator Biographies continued