Miro Dance Theatre Presents Philadelphia Premiere of
“Spooky Action” at the Kimmel Center, May 9 and 10

A new dance and video performance from Philadelphia’s Miro Dance Theatre takes on topics that not even Einstein could fully understand. When confronted with the seemingly unexplainable relationship that quantum particles exhibited, even over long distances, he called the phenomenon “spooky action at a distance.”

That relationship – and strikingly similar relationships between people – is explored in Miro’s new original work,  “Spooky Action,” which premieres in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts on May 9 and 10.

The production is a seamless integration of contemporary dance, choreographed by critically acclaimed dancer and choreographer Amanda Miller, and cutting-edge video projection, created by filmmaker and video producer Tobin Rothlein. The video, projected onto high-tech backdrops which are intermittently opaque and transparent, acts as a fifth dancer to
complement Miro’s four live dancers – Dana Dlugosz, Joy Havens, Scott Lowe and Paul Struck – on stage.

“The motions of subatomic particles – like the emotions of humanity – are dominated by the physics of entanglement. We’re representing both at the same time, so ‘Spooky Action’ is both ethereal and heartfelt,” says Miller. “Contemporary dance and modern physics rarely get to share the stage, so it was important that we get it right for dance enthusiasts and science enthusiasts alike.”

Miller and Rothlein took care to ensure that they got the science right. “Spooky Action” was initially inspired by a research trip to the Fermilab National Accelerator Laboratory near Chicago. As the project advanced, they consulted with Dr. Muhammad Numan, a physicist at Indiana University of Pennsylvania and other top quantum physicists for guidance on quantum theory, how it could apply to human interactions and how to interpret it accurately through dance and video.

The video element of “Spooky Action” is especially suited to portray the world of particle physics. Armed with a cutting-edge video projection system that is usually reserved for arena rock concerts – the Hippotizer Video Technology from Green Hippo Ltd. in London – Rothlein is able to take his art to a new level, creating videos that dramatically re-create particles interacting in space and dancers interacting with each other.

“The Hippotizer gives us a whole new freedom to faithfully express our vision for ‘Spooky Action’,” says Rothlein, a Pew Fellow in the Arts. “Often, technology like this is used to create huge, imposing video productions for crowds of thousands. In ‘Spooky Action’, we use it to increase the intimacy in the story and with the audience.”

The production’s soundtrack uses local and international talent to enhance the intimate mood of “Spooky Action.”  Legendary Broadway actor and Philadelphia native Pierce Bunting recorded the story’s narration and London-based composer Pete Wyer developed the electro-acoustic-based score.

“Spooky Action” debuted at Indiana University of Pennsylvania in early April where it was commissioned by the IUP Lively Arts program and is funded, in part, by a New Directions grant from Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour (PennPAT).

About Miro Dance Theatre

Miro Dance Theatre creates and performs original work that explores the collaborative intersections of contemporary dance, video, and visual art.

In 2004, dancer and choreographer Amanda Miller and video and visual artist Tobin Rothlein founded Miro Dance Theatre in order to realize their unique creative vision, and explore the intersections of contemporary dance, video, and visual art. Miller, with ten years experience as a dancer at the Pennsylvania Ballet and choreographic studies in Europe under Siobhan Davies, is at the helm of Miro’s choreographic exploration.

Rothlein, whose work as video artist and visual designer for Rennie Harris Puremovement and others has garnered accolades nationally and internationally, oversees the company’s work in combining dance, multi-media and visual arts. Miro produces the work of Miller and Rothlein alongside special collaborations with invited friends and guests.

Spooky Action
May 9 – 8:00PM
May 10 – 3:00PM
Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts
Innovations Studio
300 S Broad St, Philadelphia, PA 19102
Tickets: $25 at the Kimmel Box office or www.mirodancetheatre.org