Abrons Arts Center Presents Mariangela Lopez's RAPHAEL

Abrons Arts Center presents the world premiere of RAPHAEL, the third evening-length work by choreographer Mariangela Lopez, on May 2 -5 at 8pm. Originally from Caracas, Venezuela, Lopez has built an expressive body of work with unique collaborators, from untrained dancers to Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs. For RAPHAEL, she is joined by performers Laurel Atwell, Anna Azrieli, and Mor Mendel, along with composer Jason Grisell who performs live - RAPHAEL marks their third collaboration.

In an attempt to reveal the multilayered inner landscape of a performer, RAPHAEL presents the performance as an act of remembering, channeling, and invoking to produce the transcending instant of the "show." Five performers explore the phenomenon of tarantism, a form of hysteric behavior characterized by an uncontrollable impulse to dance that was especially prevalent in southern Italy from the 15th to the 17th century. This ecstatic physical state is coupled with the hyper-theatrical physicality of iconic Spanish male singers, whose music and bravado filled Lopez's childhood. Convinced that these idols still influence the way she conceives the body on stage, Lopez juxtaposes past experiences, dreams, and desires with future possibilities to unveil a collective identity in RAPHAEL.

The creative team for RAPHAEL includes production design by Mogollon NY (Monica Brand and Francisco Lopez), lighting design by Jon Harper and costumes by Christian Joy.

Performances of RAPHAEL will take place May 2-5 at 8pm at Abrons Arts Center, located at 466 Grant Street in Manhattan. Tickets, priced at $20, can be purchased by visiting abronsartscenter.org or by calling 212-352-3101.

Mariangela Lopez (choreographer, director, and performer) is a Brooklyn-based choreographer and performer from Caracas, Venezuela. Her work has been presented in Australia, Mexico, France, Boston and multiple venues in New York City, including Williamsburg Art Nexus, Dixon Place, Danspace Project, Movement Research at the Judson Church, P.S 122, Tisch School of the Arts, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, MonkeyTown, The New Museum, The Gibney Dance Center and Saint Ann's Warehouse. Mariangela has collaborated as a choreographer with various artists including Yeah Yeah Yeahs' vocalist Karen O, Jason Grisell, Christian Joy, and Mogollon NYC. Mariangela was a Movement Research Artist in Residency and a Brooklyn Arts Exchange (BAX) Artist In Residency. RAPHAEL is Lopez's third length evening work. In addition to her choreographic work Lopez has an extensive experience as a dance educator, has taught in places such as Movement Research, Brooklyn Arts Exchange, Dance New Amsterdam, the Harkness Center 92 Street Y and the Laban Institute of Movement Studies, NYC. Mariangela holds a BFA from the Boston Conservatory (1999) and is a Certified Movement Analyst (CMA) from the Laban Institute of Movement Studies. Currently Mariangela is the Movement/Dance Teacher at The Blue School, NYC and at the Dance Education Laboratory (DEL). http://www.accidentalmovement.org

Anna Azrieli (performer) is a choreographer, performer, and teacher. Last year, The Chocolate Factory Theater presented her first solo show. She has shown work at Gibney Dance, Danspace Project, The Kitchen, New Dance Alliance, Movement Research at the Judson Church, Elastic City, Roulette, Open Source Gallery, Dixon Place, Catch, and AUNTS. She was a Movement Research AIR 2010-2012. She performed with Miguel Gutierrez 2001-2011, and with Vicky Shick, Heather Kravas, robbinschilds, David Thomson, Clarinda Mac Low, luciana achugar, Sam Kim, Donna Uchizono, Wendy Perron, Fred Darsow, Olase Freeman, Erin Cornell, and Lynn Marie Ruse/Freefall. She has made work collaboratively, with Marya Wethers, with Pascale Wettstein, and with Abby Crain/Samuael Topiary. She has been in video work of David Bowie, Yanira Castro and Maya Ciarrocchi. Anna has taught through Movement Research, ClassClassClass, Moscow's TSEKH, University of Texas Pan-American, and University of Utah. Anna emigrated from the Soviet Union at age 7 and grew up in Queens, NY. She resides in Brooklyn, NY.

Mor Mendel (performer) I started dancing under the kitchen table at the age of three, and have never stopped, professionally and personally. Born in Pittsburg, USA, at two I moved back to Israel. The region and the culture I grew up in continue to inspire and influence the way I live and move in the world. I earned my BA in Dance Theater in Israel, before moving to NY, completing my MFA in dance at Sarah Lawrence College in 2014. In my teaching, I bring movement and dance to the young and elderly, and also to patients with Parkinson. I have the pleasure of collaborating with many talented, professional artists, as I continue to strive through my own creative path. Dancing with Mariangela within our group of five is the tip of the tip: This process is a true treasure for me. I get to dance like I haven't danced in a while; I get to feel new and exciting rhythms in my body.

Since 2008, Laura Atwell (performer) has been living in Brooklyn and making work that has recently become more interdisciplinary with her research conducted as a Movement Research Artist in Residence. Her work has been presented at Abrons Arts Center, Dixon Place, Center for Performance Research, Draftworks at Danspace Project, Domestic Performance Agency, Links Hall in Chicago, IL, Movement Research at Judson Church, Pieter Performance Space in Los Angeles, CA as well as throughout apartments, parks, bars, and galleries in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Queens. Laurel has the pleasure of collaborating with Tess Dworman; the two recently created WellMan, a class drawing from qigong and meditation practices. Laurel has recently appeared in the work of Mariangela Lopez, Phoebe Berglund, Kim Brandt, Melanie Maar, Kathy Westwater, Tess Dworman, Ursula Eagly, Nikima Jagudajev, and Milka Djordjevich. She edits the Dance Pamphlets for 53rd State Press, teaches qigong, and is in the band Pine Island. Concocting the Raphael brew of pop concert, trance, telenovela soap opera, and musical with fellow sorcerers Mor, Rishauna, Anna, and Mari has been a most fabulously delirious time.

Jason P. Grisell (music and performer) is a vocalist, performer, and composer living and working in New York City. He is a member of synth pop duo Bubbles, and has collaborated with artists including Leona Naess, Karen O., IOULEX, Isabella Boylston, and Marcel Dzama. RAPHAEL marks his third collaboration with choreographer Mariangela Lopez.

Mogollon NY (production design) Francisco Lopez & Monica Brand are Mogollon, a NYC-based creative studio known for their holistic approach at conceptualizing and producing work across the fields of design, film, and art. This is Mogollon third collaboration with Mariangela Lopez. www.mogollon-ny.com

Christian Joy (costume designer) is an American fashion designer and artist best known for her stage costume designs for Yeah Yeah Yeahs lead singer, Karen O. RAPHAEL is Joy's fourth collaboration with Mariangela Lopez. In addition to Karen O, Joy has also created stage looks for such artists as Brittany Howard of the Alabama Shakes, and Childish Gambino. Using found articles and occasionally eschewing thread and print for glue and marker pens, she has influenced contemporary fashion with punk and DIY stylings. Joy's work has been exhibited in the Victoria and Albert Museum, Diesel Gallery in Tokyo and The Knockdown Center and Secret Project Robot in Brooklyn.

Jon Harper (lighting design) has designed over 100 shows and worked on hundreds more. His design work has been recognized and awarded by the South-Eastern Theater Conference, LDI, Electronic Theatre Controls, and the Buffalo Artvoice 'Artie' awards. His work was selected to represent the United States in the Prague Quadrennial's Schools of Scenography exhibit at the PQ-2007. He is currently residing in New York City and is the Director of Production at Abrons Arts Center. http://www.jonharper.org

The Abrons Arts Center is the OBIE Award-winning performing and visual arts program of Henry Street Settlement. Abrons supports the creation and presentation of innovative, multi-disciplinary work; cultivates artists in all stages of their practice with educational programs, mentorships, residencies and commissions; and serves as an intersection of engagement for local, national and international audiences and arts-workers.

Each year the Abrons offers over 250 performances, 12 gallery exhibitions and 30 residencies for performing and studio artists, and 100 different classes in dance, music, theater, and visual art. The Abrons also provides New York City public schools with teaching artists, introducing more than 3,000 students to the arts. For more information: www.abronsartscenter.org.