Staying Power

Koresh Dance Co.'s Sense of Human

by A.D. Amorosi

Gadi Dagon (CLICK IMAGE FOR LARGER VERSION)

In the last two decades, Koresh Dance Co. has built its foundations on sexually potent athleticism and animal grace. That brand of passionate gymnastics is the calling card of Israeli-born choreographer/artistic director Ronen Koresh, whose career is all about practicing what he preaches.

Certainly there is an Alvin Ailey air about his fluid but exacting movements and flirty, fast-tempo execution. Add a bracing command of characterization and solid storytelling, and it makes sense that in 2008, KDC wound up at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre as its resident dance company.

"The Suzanne Roberts has been a blessing as it's given us a permanent home and the opportunity to have regular seasons we could plan ahead of time," says Koresh. "Audiences look forward to seeing us because our presence is constant." Having a home base has also made it easier to book guests like Itzik Galili, Robert Battle and Ohad Naharin.

Artistic director of Israel's critically acclaimed Batsheva Dance Co., Naharin will offer up his Passomezzo for KDC to première this weekend. "His is a unique and uncompromising voice," says Koresh of Naharin's work. "He is without a doubt at the forefront of expression in dance, and so I wanted my crew — and myself — to experience it first-hand. ... Ohad and I both seem to be on a personal journey."

Something else the choreographers have in common is music — both are known for their collaboration on the scores of their dances. Premiering his own new work along with Naharin's, Koresh gave his score (co-composed by Greg Smith, Karl Mullen and Nic Kindal) plenty of direction. "I had specific requirements that I wanted in the full-evening-length composition," says Koresh of his piece, Sense of Human. "In every new work that I set out to create, I try to reinvent myself, create new vocabulary and explore places I haven't explored before."