Auditorium Theatre 2018-19 Issue 1 The Nightmare Before Christmas

The contemporary dance company performs the piece calling glenn , choreographed by company founder Danielle Agami (former dancer and rehearsal director for Batsheva Dance Company) and featuring music by the Chicago- based percussionist Glenn Kotche, best known for his work in the band Wilco. Agami spoke with the Auditorium about Ate9, the inspiration behind calling glenn , and her dream collaborator! AUD: You founded Ate9 in 2012. What led you to create your own company, and how has Ate9 evolved over the years? DA: I founded Ate9 in order to give a home to special talent — dancers who hope to fulfill their passion and commitment to dance as an art form. While traveling in the US for teaching and staging choreography, I met a few dancers who truly inspired me to take the step and promise that more people will enjoy these gifted few. Since then, the journey of supplying both the artists and the audiences with what they need or want has been a full and exciting experience. AUD: What’s the inspiration behind calling glenn ? The company’s description of the piece says it’s “inspired by exhausting common rituals and desires” — were there any specific experiences that you were thinking of when choreographing the piece? DA: As we all know, habit is our pleasure. All creatures have habits and all of them get excited by the chance to break them, but in reality, they more often choose to avoid any changes. There is a magical cycle that comes from repeating something again and again, but I believe we know a bigger leap when we stop for a moment and notice or even try other options. Our fear from freedom is costing us [a lot]. Our passion to be seen, loved, fed, amused, own, love, give, take, and receive are all still addicting and consuming. Freedom is unknown to us. AUD: How did you make the connection with Glenn Kotche? DA: Glenn was introduced to me by Catharine Soros, a patron of the arts who knew of us and our work for a while before she decided to take a chance and ask us if we would like to make something together. She was right to ask and we are very grateful for her initiation and the ongoing trust and support the Soros family shares! AUD: What was the collaborative process like? Did you choreograph everything first and then work with Glenn on the musical component, or vice versa, or was it more of a back-and-forth? DA: Our process was flexible and versatile. Glenn simply shared his entire musical library for me to choose a direction [for him] to embark on and make new materials for calling glenn . I had the freedom to ask for any shift, change, and new concepts, and Glenn always came back with an interesting solution. We feel much creativity in the process – in fact, we are approaching a new mutual commission these days. AUD: You’ve worked with other composers on other Ate9 pieces — if you could pick one or two dream musicians or composers to collaborate with on future works, who would they be and why? DA: My dream composer would be Stephen Colbert. I would like to make dance to his monologues. AUD: What do you hope people take away from the performance? DA: My only hope when making work is that the audience will leave thinking that dance is an interesting and powerful form of entreatment. AUD: Is there anything you’re looking forward to doing while the company is in Chicago? DA: I look forward to learn which vegan restaurant is the best one in town! CHERYL MANN CHERYL MANN Glenn Kotche performing in calling glenn. Talking with Ate9 Dance Company’s Danielle Agami On November 16, Ate9 makes its Auditorium Theatre debut in the “Made in Chicago” 312 Dance Series! Ate9 Dance Company performing in calling glenn. 18 | AUDITORIUM THEATRE 2018-19 | September 26 - November 16, 2018