Choreography is the art of storytelling through performance. On Sunday, choreographer Christopher Morgan brings his unique vision to the stage of Kahilu Theatre with his dance theater piece, Pohaku. Morgan’s work combines modern dance, hula and classical music in a marriage of Hawaiian roots and contemporary performance art.
Choreography is the art of storytelling through performance. On Sunday, choreographer Christopher Morgan brings his unique vision to the stage of Kahilu Theatre with his dance theater piece, Pohaku. Morgan’s work combines modern dance, hula and classical music in a marriage of Hawaiian roots and contemporary performance art.
“One of the primary themes in Pohaku is the fusion of new and old — a mix of modern of modern dance and of traditional kahiko hula, a mix of classical music with current day video projections,” said Danny Waddell, marketing manager for the Waimea-based theater. “This performance is sure to be entertaining and educational, and has the potential to be one of the most culturally enriching offerings during our 2016-17 Season.”
Morgan grew up in California, where he danced hula. His family’s roots are in Hawaii, and as he progressed as a dancer and choreographer, he wished to incorporate his Native Hawaiian ancestry to his contemporary work. Pohaku is result of this artistic fusion, as Morgan experiments and incorporates the story of his roots and Hawaii’s indigenous people with his own personal experiences.
“As a Native Hawaiian who does not live in Hawaii, it is thrilling to bring Pohaku to the islands,” said Morgan. “This show is an exchange between performers and audience. I look forward to sharing the work with Hawaiian audiences, who I hope see a bit of themselves onstage. The piece is also very much about the importance of stones, so it feels powerful to perform this work on the Big Island, where new stone is being created as we speak and the voices of our ancestors can be heard loud and clear.”
Pohaku is the Hawaiian word for “stone,” and this performance piece was inspired in part by Morgan’s late cousin Kumu Hula John Kaimikaua. The show features live music by Kumu Hula Elsie Kaleihulukea Ryder of Kaimikaua’s Halau Hula o Kukunaokala, along with classically trained electric cellist Witold.
According to his website, Morgan’s company, CKM&A, is a professional contemporary dance company founded as a vehicle for Morgan’s choreographic exploration of social and cultural issues. The company provides a creative outlet for its artists through virtuosic and expressive dance performances that give audiences an opportunity for self-reflection. CKM&A works to demystify contemporary dance through its work, including ongoing community dialogue and online video content.
Doors open at 3 p.m. for the 4 p.m. performance. Tickets range in price from $20-$68 and are available for purchase online at www.kahilutheatre.org, by calling 885-6868, or at the Kahilu Theatre Box Office, 67-1186 Lindsey Road, in Waimea, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.