ELLEN SICKENBERGER
D E P T H D A N C E
"Carnival"
Catch Artistic Director Ellen Sickenberger's new solo work:
Feb 22, 7pm @ The Trunk Space for In The Round Phx
Mar 30, 6pm @ Cambria Hotel DT Phx for Twilight Fringe
AZ KINETICA PROGRAM
ARIZONA: Join us for the first ever Kinetica Movement Program in your state!!
Learn the renowned movement method of Kinetica, created by Israeli choreographer Nadine Bommer, led by company member Ellen Sickenberger.
Kinetica enhances movement and performance quality, while providing movers with unforgettable experiences through their physical being. Inspired by nature and the movement of the sea, Kinetica is unique and personal to each individual.
This workshop is for adult dancers and movers.
Program Schedule:
March 2, 12-2pm
March 9, 12-2pm
March 16, 12-2pm
March 30, 12-2pm
Location: Ballet Theatre of Phoenix
(6201 N 7th St, Phoenix, AZ 85014)
D E P T H D A N C E
Founded in 2017 by Artistic Director Ellen Sickenberger, DEPTH dance is a project-based contemporary dance company with roots in NYC and currently based in Phoenix. The company has presented work in venues including Salvatore Capezio Theater, Gelsey Kirkland Arts Center, Hudson Guild Theater, Dixon Place, Alvin Ailey Citigroup Theater, Manhattan Movement & Arts Center, Suzanne Dellal studios in Tel Aviv and more. They've presented work in Pushing Progress, Austin Dance Festival , Atlanta MIXTAPE Festival, Boston Contemporary Dance Festival, and Process/Talks (Suzanne Dellal), and shows all over the east coast and midwest. The company's first dance film venture in collaboration with cinematographer Brian J. Hollars, "Fates", has been screened at four different festivals nationally and was been twice awarded Audience Favorite (Austin Dance Film Festival and Emotions Short Film Festival). The company has been commissioned for numerous split bill shows and residencies. Ellen's work has been described as "hauntingly beautiful" and "captivatingly chilling" [BWW Reviews] with "stunning and economical" partnering [The Dance Enthusiast]. "True to its name, DEPTH dance works to uncover the expanse of movements potential in a way that could only come from working together with sensitivity and consideration" [Cecly Placenti - TiLLT Magazine]. Ellen's choreography uses athletic, theatrical, and anthropomorphous movement to create a social commentary. The company emphasizes humanism and explores depth psychology; the study of unconscious mental processes and motives and their relationship to consciousness. DEPTH dance relates to its audience by promoting togetherness through displays of flaws and ugliness.
The Process
Ellen's practice is understanding how to rise above the constraints of the mind and body in order to let energy accurately manifest through movement. She uses meditative and imaginative methods to release locks on the mind. In attempts to remove any habits or patterns, Ellen explores methods to reach the most fertile atmosphere for creativity; where movement is limitless and unique. Since Ellen's work is concept-driven, she uses imagery, words, and abstract ideas for artists to connect to. The theatricality in her work results from this intimate connection of the dancer to an image or concept, and she urges the face muscles to be used as much as the muscles in the body. Ellen continues to explore new ways for artists to connect to concepts as well as to each other. She creates a sense of community within the dancers where the individual can still thrive. She aims to guide artists to a place where the body is totally free and the mind without judgement. With this practice, artists have the ability to become everything and anything when creating choreography.
(See About| tab for Artistic Director's bio)
Artist Statement
"I create art to promote togetherness and acceptance, and I do so by displaying flaws, imperfections, and the darkest corners of the human mind/soul. I explore patterns of the overall human race in addition to honing in on varying circumstances from one individual to another. 'Why do we suffer?' is a question that sits at the core of buddhist practice and heavily informs my work. I approach choreography by challenging guide lines and norms with attempts of innovative and original ideas to reach people; posing a new thought, feel, or state of mind to an existing social/structural issue."
-Ellen Sickenberger
Company Members & Collaborators
Erke Roosen
Assistant Choreographer/Dance Artist
Erke Roosen Castelluzzo was born in the Netherlands and received her BFA at the Royal Conservatory under the direction of Wim Broeckx. She completed the Certificate Program at the Peridance Capezio Center in NYC with excellence of honors. Erke has performed with multiple dance companies in both the Netherlands and in the USA, including Netherlands Dance Theater 2 and Peridance Contemporary Dance Company, where she worked with choreographers Lightfoot Leon, Alexander Ekman, Ohad Naharin, Sidra Bell and Igal Perry. She has collaborated on projects with Herman van Veen, New York Fashion Week; Rochambeau, MTV: Say it in Song, and Good Morning America. She is currently the Assistant Choreographer with DEPTH Dance and performs with Mari Meade Dance Collective, Urban Tribe, and Keiko Fujii Dance Company in NYC. Erke is also a teaching artist for Notes in Motion Dance Company and teaches in the NYC-public school system.
Other Collaborators
DEPTH Dance is a project-based company with many collaborators in different states
Current: (PHX)
Dance Artists
Ignacio Andrés Jara
Anahi Jimenez
Lauren Jimenez
Zarina Mendoza
Jenny Milani
Alexis Montoya
Esteban Rosales
Composer
Jesse Hoffman
Past: (NYC)
Dance Artists (original members)
Margaret Jones
Sarah Kleinke
Graziella Murdocca
Gabriella Sibeko
Dance Artists (specific projects)
Diane Auriol
Emory Campbell
Kristalyn Gill
Lisa Kobdish
Katie Mattar
Bonnie O'Rourke
Ayaha Otsuka
Madeline Robertson
Thryn Saxon
Ellie Weinman
Composers
Mark McDonald
Ankit Suri