WHAT THE ARTISTS SAY…
PETER SPARLING — former principal dancer Martha Graham Company, regisseur of the Martha Graham Trust, a Thurnau Professor of the University of Michigan Department of Dance, and Artistic Director of the Ann Arbor-based Peter Sparling Dance Company.
“Beth not only trusts me to uncover, but provides a rare nurturing outlet. She fearlessly tackles subjects of isolation or of dislocation of identity and place; she challenges her audiences (and dancers!) to confront thorny issues by creating authentic portraits through movement, gesture and theater. Performing with a mature cast of pros in a Glue Factory Project has its unique pleasures unlike any other."
“Beth not only trusts me to uncover, but provides a rare nurturing outlet. She fearlessly tackles subjects of isolation or of dislocation of identity and place; she challenges her audiences (and dancers!) to confront thorny issues by creating authentic portraits through movement, gesture and theater. Performing with a mature cast of pros in a Glue Factory Project has its unique pleasures unlike any other."
ARTHUR AVILES — former principal dancer with Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company, director of BAAD (Bronx Academy of Arts & Dance
“When I was first asked to dance by Ms. Corning I really thought I couldn't do it. I felt like my career was in a very different place given my age. Beth treated me with great respect. She was able and willing to take into consideration where I was in my body. She didn't make me feel like an aging performer. What she did was help me find different aspects within my performance abilities. Aspects I had not really considered before. She brought me to play games of creativity. Games that I had not thought of before. Ms. Corning's dancing has the uncanny ability to embrace two incredibly important aspects of performance: Intention is important to her. She is always doing something real. Her technique is keen even when doing something real her level of accomplishment is never left behind.”
“When I was first asked to dance by Ms. Corning I really thought I couldn't do it. I felt like my career was in a very different place given my age. Beth treated me with great respect. She was able and willing to take into consideration where I was in my body. She didn't make me feel like an aging performer. What she did was help me find different aspects within my performance abilities. Aspects I had not really considered before. She brought me to play games of creativity. Games that I had not thought of before. Ms. Corning's dancing has the uncanny ability to embrace two incredibly important aspects of performance: Intention is important to her. She is always doing something real. Her technique is keen even when doing something real her level of accomplishment is never left behind.”
MARIA CHENG — award-winning dance/theater performer, Co-Founder & Co-Artistic/Executive Director TEA - Theatre Esprit Asia
“Beth Corning is an artist of the first magnitude. She ventures into territories that challenges the intellect, stirs the heart and inspires the spirit. . . . She was fearless in mining new veins of perspectives and in exploring unfamiliar concepts, thereby creating theatre/dance that not only astonishes, but also delights and enlarges ones understanding of the human condition.”
“Beth Corning is an artist of the first magnitude. She ventures into territories that challenges the intellect, stirs the heart and inspires the spirit. . . . She was fearless in mining new veins of perspectives and in exploring unfamiliar concepts, thereby creating theatre/dance that not only astonishes, but also delights and enlarges ones understanding of the human condition.”
JOHN GRESH — acclaimed actor and director, adjunct university/college professor and director of John Gresh GRIS GRIS
“ I've had two days to get out of my dancing togs and it is only now that I feel I can tell you how much this creative experience meant to me. Besides all of your amazing artistry and ability, I am moved by your generosity of spirit. I'm honored to have had this opportunity to know all of you and to break bread and drink wine around Beth's marvelous table.”
“ I've had two days to get out of my dancing togs and it is only now that I feel I can tell you how much this creative experience meant to me. Besides all of your amazing artistry and ability, I am moved by your generosity of spirit. I'm honored to have had this opportunity to know all of you and to break bread and drink wine around Beth's marvelous table.”
TAMAR RACHELLE TOLENTINO — former principal dancer with Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre
“It was an honor and a joy to be part of this wonderful collaboration. Thank you Beth, for throwing us together, giving us the work, and exposing us to your sensibilities, to ourselves and to each other. It was a lot of fun working with "grownups". Thank you for indulging my limitations and stroking our egos the whole way through. It was a great ride, never thought I'd be on that side of the stage again.”
“It was an honor and a joy to be part of this wonderful collaboration. Thank you Beth, for throwing us together, giving us the work, and exposing us to your sensibilities, to ourselves and to each other. It was a lot of fun working with "grownups". Thank you for indulging my limitations and stroking our egos the whole way through. It was a great ride, never thought I'd be on that side of the stage again.”