MSP 161: Mark Morris
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Around the World with Mark Morris
From the age of seven, Mark Morris was enamored with dance. Immersing himself in everything from flamenco to Israeli folk to ballet to modern, Mark has lived, trained, and worked in many different parts of the world. In this episode, Mark takes us on a journey from the audition that signaled the start of his career to the Mark Morris Dance Company\\u2019s first show in 1980 to his years in Brussels, where he did his \\u201cgrandest work.\\u201d We also take a look at the work that Mark devotes his time to these days, which involves choreographing \\u201cdances of the future\\u201d that are only intended to be seen by the public after his death. \\xa0His life has been eventful, to say the least, and this episode will give you a taste of the passion and flair that epitomize Mark Morris!
Key Points From This Episode:
- Where Mark\\u2019s love for dance originated.
- Different dance forms that he has been drawn to during his life.
- How his life changed when he was just 11 years old.
- Mark\\u2019s experience training and working overseas.
- Why he moved to New York and the various companies he danced for while there.
- The driving force for the founding of the Mark Morris Dance Group.
- Mark Morris Dance Group\\u2019s first show and how the company evolved from there.
- Some of Mark\\u2019s career highlights.
- The contradictory attitudes that he dealt with during his time in Brussels.
- How the Mark Morris Dance Center came to be.
- Where Mark finds inspiration to continue to choreograph.
- Insight into his \\u201cdance of the future\\u201d concept.
- The profound role that music plays in his life.
\\u201cI like excellence and I like surprise. I\\u2019m very interested in work that engages me and that\\u2019s not necessarily what everybody else agrees with.\\u201d \\u2014 Mark Morris
Mark Morris is the founder and Artistic Director of the Mark Morris Dance Group for which he has choreographed more than 150 works since its founding in 1980, and has received numerous awards and honorary degrees for his achievements in the performing arts as choreographer, conductor, and director.
More on this episode: Movers & Shapers: A Dance Podcast
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