BOOKING > SCHOOLS
“Absurd and poignant… wonderfully strange and unpredictable choreography.” – The New Yorker
Schools, Colleges & University Offerings
Misnomer Dance Theater creates experimental, unexpected, and powerful ways for artists and audiences to connect and find meaning together. The Company offers a full range of educational experiences for students from elementary school through post-graduate, including master classes, workshops, talks & conversations, original choreography commissions and company performances. From elementary school through retirement, we inspire, teach, and engage participants in all aspects of our creative process and in the art of dance. We will work with you to tailor an engagement to fit the needs of your program and your students.
Named one of the “top ten dance performances of the year” by The New York Times,Misnomer has performed at over 300 venues worldwide. Audience engagement is a driving force for the company, and Misnomer is committed to pioneering innovative programs to support that drive.
Take a look below at a select listing of our bookable offerings tailored for schools, colleges and universities. To begin a conversation, contact us at bookings@misnomer.org, or call 855-Misnomer (855-647-6663).
Guest Choreography
Misnomer sets original work on professional repertory companies and on students at universities, offering an educational and artistically meaningful experience that is student-focused. Chris Elam and Misnomer Dance Theater have been in residence at dozens of universities teaching classes, performing, setting work on students, and giving talks and demonstrations. Elam has been a guest choreographer at over a dozen schools, including the University of Wisconsin, Brown University, Rhode Island College, Roger Williams College, Hofstra University, Manhattanville College and others.
Artistic Director Chris Elam and/or one of the company members will work with your students to either create an original work or stage one of our repertory pieces. We will work with you to design a residency that is focused on your student’s growth as dancers and dance-makers. You can choose one of our rep pieces or commission an original work specifically for your program.
To discuss guest choreography options and to request videos, please contact us at bookings@misnomer.org, or call 855-Misnomer (855-647-6663).
Company Performances
Misnomer’s dances are delightful, unique, and accessible to people of all ages. Our work can be presented in schools and theaters of all sizes, and performances can be tailored to suit your venue and audience sizes, ranging in length from a 10-minute performance to a daylong performance and workshop combination, or a full-length evening show. In addition to the creation of new work annually for our New York City Season, Misnomer has choreographed a large repertoire of work, which enables us to tailor a program to fit your event.
We will customize a performance for a wide range of venues, from an 860-seat proscenium stage, to studio showings, school performances and site-specific work. Misnomer collaborates with each college, university or school to ensure a unique experience for all audiences. We also include audience engagement activities with all of our performances.
To start a conversation, discuss options or to request videos, please contact us at bookings@misnomer.org, or call 855-Misnomer (855-647-6663).
Master Classes and Workshops
Chris Elam and Misnomer are guided by an artistic philosophy that every individual is a powerful creative source. By coaching performance skills, choreography, improvisation, contact climbing and partnering, Elam and his dancers impart skills and perspectives that encourage students to be inventive in the creation and execution of their movement and choreography. Misnomer offers a wide range of classes in partnering, modern dance technique, improvisation, and choreography. We offer one-time master classes, multi-session workshops, and residencies of various lengths with Chris and/or a company member.
To discuss options, please contact us at bookings@misnomer.org, or call 855-Misnomer (855-647-6663).
Talks and Discussions
Misnomer’s Artistic Director, Chris Elam, is available to lead talks and discussions for classes, audiences, conferences, and community events at your school, university, conference or company.
Select examples of our talks include: Audience Engagement & Technology, Intercultural and International Collaborations, The Creative Process, and Making your Career in the Arts
Arts and Technology Background – An advocate for the smart use of technology for audience engagement in the arts, Elam has been an invited speaker at many of the country’s foremost arts, business and technology conferences, including Fortune Magazine’s Brainstorm: TECH, the National Arts Marketing Project, TEDxEast and TedxGotham. Elam serves on the advisory board of the Americans for the Arts’ National Arts Marketing Project, and frequently participates in panels to provide advocacy for the arts.
Cultural Background – A cultural traveler, Elam’s contemporary choreography is informed by inter-cultural research and exploration. Elam spent seven months with a Topeng dance master in Indonesia, training and performing in temple ceremonies. Misnomer accompanied him to Brazil to perform and teach, and Elam has taught for six months at the Conservatory in Turkey; spent three months in Havana choreographing on DanzAbierta, a national dance company of Cuba; choreographed in Ireland on a European Cultural City Commission; and has been commissioned in Holland and in Denmark.
To discuss options, please contact us at bookings@misnomer.org, or call 855-Misnomer (855-647-6663).
Skype Visit
Misnomer uses Skype as a way to visit your classrooms, wherever you are! We have talk choreography classes and given talks worldwide in high-definition directly from our studio and from our office in New York City. Now you can book Elam for a talk, conversation, or presentation without the cost of travel. This is a great opportunity to bring a remarkable artist to your students.
To discuss options, please contact us at bookings@misnomer.org, or call 855-Misnomer (855-647-6663).
Photo of Misnomer on tour in Ukraine:
