Hair highlights

I love when projects are mutually beneficial and everybody wins. Dance (212) was documenting my summer and as a result of that I was able to get high quality footage from the final dress rehearsal of Hair. A little imovie editing and presto, instant highlight reel! This is an incredible show and I'm so grateful I got to play around and put my own spin on it! And as you can see, the cast is living!

Hair-Production Photos

Some shots of my Woodstock production of "Hair". First professional show that I did double-duty as director/choreographer. So special to me, so happy to share it with the world. Photos by the insanely talented Matthew Wright of Fig Tree Photography.

Dance (212) Teaser

It premieres September 19th, but the teaser episode and dancer profiles are now live.

I've been documenting my projects for a few months now and it's amazing to see the individual dances in the context of a larger whole. I've been productive. Made some cool things. And now they're about to be released to a larger audience. Psyched.

"Dance elevates...everything. When there are no more words, that's when people move."

-Dance (212), me

Not too shabby first soundbite!

Another first, and taking stock...

Almost one year ago (August 30th, to be exact), I made my NYC choreography debut with my piece "Sunday Interlude, NYC" at the inaugural Band of Gypsies showcase. I'd choreographed before. Assisted on some shows, choreographed some other shows for children's theater or for actors that sing. "Sunday..." was, however, the first time I flexed my choreographic muscles because it was the first time I staged something for dancers based entirely on my vision and their full capabilities. Also the first time I presented my work in NYC.

Since that piece things have been happening. I created dances for the short films The Expressionists and Sounds of Oud. I presented new work at two more choreography showcases (Band of Gypsies 2 and Choreographer's Canvas 2011). I taught classes to friends on my own initiative and also as part of a series for R.Evolucion Latina and the Orlando Ice Cream Social. I assistant directed Broadway Bares: Masterpiece for Josh Rhodes and his associate Lee Wilkins. I made my director/choreographer debut this summer with a production of Hair at Woodstock. I am currently working on two projects; documenting all of this work for a reality web-series Dance (212) produced by DanceMedia and also choreographing a production of Camelot for the John W. Engeman Theater. And today, for the first time, I appear in a playbill.com article as a choreographer. Not too shabby for my first year on the gig.

Just taking stock of where I've been in the past year. Feeling grateful. Camelot press release below...

Engeman's Camelot Casts Jim Stanek, Kim Carson and Jarid Faubel

By Adam Hetrick
02 Sep 2011

Jim Stanek

Jim Stanek, Kim Carson and Jarid Faubel will find themselves in a royal love triangle in Lerner and Loewe's Camelot at the Engeman Theater in Northport, Long Island.

The Tony-winning classic, with book and lyrics by Alan Jay Lerner and music by Frederick Loewe, will begin previews Sept. 15 and run through Nov. 6. Alan Souza will direct, with choreography by Sidney Erik Wright and musical direction by Jon Balcourt.

Stanek (Broadway's Lestat, Little Women) will play King Arthur, with Carson (Little Women at the Engeman) as Guenevere and Faubel (Perfect Harmony) as Lancelot.

The principal cast will also include Jeremy Morse (Engeman's My Fair Lady) as Mordred and David Benoit (Avenue Q, Les Miserables on Broadway) as Merlyn/Pellinore.

The ensemble includes Michael Andrako, Michael J. Borges, Melissa Chaty, Kara Deyoe, Evan Flannery, David Garry, Kyle Hines, Kelly Marteney, Jake Odmark, Jared Ross, Chloe Sabin, Joseph Stark, Jackie Washam and Nathan Winkelstein.

Camelot will have scenic design by Todd Edward Ivins, costume coordination by Megan A. Moore, lighting design by Joel E. Silver, sound design by Craig Kaufman and hair-wig design by Mark Adam Rampmeyer.

The 1960 musical Camelot marked the final original stage collaboration between lyricist-librettist Alan Jay Lerner and composer Frederick Loewe. The musical boasts such classics as "If Ever I Would Leave You," "Camelot," "Before I Gaze at You Again" and "I Loved You Once In Silence."

For tickets phone (631) 261-2900 or visit EngemanTheater. The Engeman Theater is located at 250 Main Street in Northport, Long Island.