Misnomer works closely with presenters and event planners to create multi-dimensional experiences for audiences. The company offers performances, talks, and workshops, and produces dynamic media that translates our work into online spaces. From setting new choreographic works on university students to speaking with corporate CEOs about the intersection of technology and the arts, Chris Elam connects diverse communities through dance.

You can book Misnomer or Chris Elam for:

Performances
Misnomer offers a wide variety of dance/theatre pieces and collaborates with each presenter to ensure a unique experience for all audiences.

Click here to view Misnomer's touring repertory.
A company press kit is available for download by clicking here.

Guest Choreography/Teaching – Misnomer sets original work on professional repertory companies and on students at universities, offering an educational and artistically meaningful experience that is student-focused. Elam teaches extensively in a range of performance-related subjects. As part of his work with universities, Elam has facilitated several larger-scale, cross-campus and inter-departmental initiatives. 

Arts & Technology Talks – Chris Elam engages students and audiences with discussions about his past interactive technology work with Apple Computers, as well as projects creating multimedia dances in Holland, working with the Sundance Channel, and choreographing for Bjork’s 3-D music video. 

Intercultural Talks – Chris is available to speak about creating choreographies in international contexts, discussing his extensive work in Indonesia, Cuba, France, Ukraine, Turkey, Brazil, Ireland, and Holland.

New Media and Consulting – Utilizing his background and experience in technology, Chris consults and teaches institutional staffs, students, and professional artists to develop field-appropriate approaches to new media, online video, and social networks. 

DVDs of company performances and works set on students are available upon request.

For questions, contact Artistic Director Chris Elam at chris@misnomer.org
For bookings, contact Managing Director Beth-Ellen Keyes at beth@misnomer.org

"A true original, Misnomer is one of the most individualistic of modern dance voices today."

        -The New York Times

CASE STUDY:  Misnomer at Summer Stages Dance

Summer Stages Dance featured Misnomer in their annual festival for young dancers across the country.  In a full-length concert, Misnomer presented Tin Man, Land Flat, and Throw People to a very receptive audience. In addition to a post-performance Q&A, Misnomer's New Media Director, Jaki Levy, set up two laptop computers in the lobby that audience members could use in order to ask questions and give feedback. Misnomer then contacted each individual, responding to their comments online as part of the Presenter Partnership Program.  Audience members glowed about the work, and truly enjoyed the opportunity to share their full experience with the company.

The Presenter Partnership Program aims to engage audiences beyond the theater, feeding their appetites for continued experiences and reflections of works online.  As part of the program, Jaki contributed five hours of strategic consulting to Summer Stages, offering dynamic and personalized content for the Summer Stages website; blogging before, during, and after the engagement; and collecting photos, testimonials, and videos for Summer Stages' continued use.

TALKS: Arts & Technology

Misnomer has discussed past interactive technology work with Apple Computers, as well as projects creating multimedia dances in Holland, working with the Sundance Channel, and choreographing for Bjork’s 3-D music video.

TALKS: Intercultural Talks

Misnomer offers a talk about creating choreographies in international contexts, during which the company discusses past work in Indonesia, Cuba, France, Ukraine, Turkey, Brazil, Ireland, Holland, and Denmark.

                                                                                               
 THEATER HIGHLIGHTS:

 au foyer Roger Panouse in France
 

Misnomer seeks to engage audiences in all aspects of our creative process, effectively blurring art, learning, and action. 

CASE STUDY: Misnomer at Towson University

Towson University students and faculty warmly welcomed Chris Elam to their campus, excited, but unsure of how the week would unfold.  Elam was invited to teach the students dance technique and the choreography from Land Flat, one section from the piece that earned Misnomer a spot on The New York Times' 2006 list of “Top 10 Dance Performances."  During the week of workshops and classes, Elam empowered students to find their own creative voices while offering tangible skills to help them share their artistry with others through the web.  All classes and rehearsals were filmed, allowing students the opportunity to record their thoughts.  The experience was discussed when freshman and senior students gathered outside of normal class time for a two-hour conversation on using the web to translate artistic experiences.

In tandem, Elam brainstormed with the Director of the Department of Dance on integrating the various arts programs on campus.  When Elam left a week later, the entire program was fully engaged and connected to the Misnomer experience.  Misnomer was delighted when, almost a year later, four of the twelve Towson students from this workshop traveled to New York to audition for the company.

GUEST CHOREOGRAPHY / TEACHING

When Misnomer sets works on university students, the company offers an educational and artistically meaningful experience that is student-focused. Elam teaches extensively in a range of performance-related subjects.

UNIVERSITY CLASSES

-Improbable Partnering and Exceptional Physical Interactions
-Modern Technique
-Trust Through Movement

UNIVERSITY TALKS

-Arts & Technology
-Intercultural Considerations

NEW MEDIA & CONSULTING

Misnomer consults and teaches institutional staff and students to develop field-appropriate approaches to new media, online videos and social networks. With its hands-on experience, Misnomer can help you to create and implement educational, artistic, and marketing strategies as well as to develop programming and curriculum.

CROSS-CAMPUS & INTER-DEPARTMENTAL INITIATIVES

Elam has facilitated several large-scale, cross-campus and inter-departmental initiatives to integrate resources and offer comprehensive education.
  

 UNIVERSITY HIGHLIGHTS:

 Temple University
 University of Wisconsin

 Brown University
 Towson University
 Roger Williams University
 Skidmore College
 Hofstra University
 Manhattanville Collge
 Rhode Island College

"Our aim was to show the connections between technology and other important fields of human endeavor... Not only did [Misnomer] perform a beautiful piece, but Chris explained how his work with technology connects to his choreography. The audience was charmed, and inspired."

           -David Kirkpatrick, Senior Editor, Internet & Technology, FORTUNE Magazine

Chris Elam and Misnomer Dance Theater have served on various panels and have given keynote speeches to artists, students, academics, and executives in the United States and abroad.  Misnomer has grown to be one of the leading experts in new media, web models for economic stability, and audience engagement programs for dance.

TALKS & WORKSHOPS

-Trust and Thought Through Movement
-New Media and Consulting
-Web 2.0: Engaging Audience and Building Loyalty
-Diversity: Leaving Comfort Zones in Search for Common Ground

 HIGHLIGHTS

  Fortune Magazine Tech Conference
  Pop! Tech
  Dance / USA Winter Forum
  Fuel for Arts

Bringing Inspiration to the Corporation

Inspire your employees and clients with a performance, seminar, or workshop.

"[Misnomer] brought inspirational value to our SalesForce conference for 250 top global managers. The performance was professional, and exciting, one that triggered dynamic, new thinking relevant to our employees. Adding Misnomer's work is sure to make a smart impact to any forward-thinking conference or corporate event."

-Marc Benioff, CEO of SalesForce

Misnomer Dance Theater offers a unique perspective both in its dance works and in seeking to expand the ways in which it interacts with its audiences.  Chris Elam's background in public policy and computer science fuels the company's vision and offers a language with which to communicate in interpersonal interactions in order to create meaningful relationships.

Misnomer's drive and passion culminate in its dances, which are earnest, unique, and accessible.  Talks, keynote speeches, and workshops supplement corporate performance bookings, creating an enriching and inspiring Misnomer experience.

PERFORMANCES

Performances can be tailored to suit your venue and audiences sizes, as well as your budget and time considerations. Engagements can range in length from a single one-half-hour performance to a day-long performance and workshop combination. Performances can include one to six dancers. Chris Elam and Misnomer Dance Theater are happy to customize our offerings to meet your company's needs and desired outcomes. Rates are available upon request.

TALKS & WORKSHOPS

Talks and workshops are available in team building, cross-cultural collaboration, technology and the arts, social entrepreneurship, and other subjects.

-Trust and Thought Through Movement
-New Media and Consulting
-Web 2.0: Engaging Audience and Building Loyalty
-Diversity: Leaving Comfort Zones in Search for Common Ground

 HIGHLIGHTS:

  Crain’s Business NY
  Business Week Magazine
  The Wall Street Journal
  The New York Times, Business
  Salesforce.com

Elam imparts skills and perspectives that encourage inventiveness and proficiency in the execution of ideas. His dances and other works have been acclaimed in New York and abroad. Affirm your employees through teambuilding and human interaction exercises. Let Chris Elam and Misnomer Dance Theater breathe vision and inspiration into your company today.