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Face-To-Face and High Fives: Trey McIntyre Project

Abby Taylor
Apr 18, 2014

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Trey McIntyre Trey McIntyre
Photo courtesy of Trey McIntyre Project

The relationship between art and society is changing, and many arts presenters and performers are steering towards a more inclusive and accessible arts experience. Trey McIntyre Project is a leading force in this movement, with their belief that the key to arts engagement is face-to-face interactions and breaking down the often-intimidating wall between the audience and the mover.  I think they’re pretty awesome, if I do say so myself.

For 10 years, Trey McIntyre Project has been pushing boundaries in their home base town, Boise, Idaho. Not only are they choreographed and led by one of the most sought after choreographers, Trey McIntyre, but they also allow the people to experience their work in more ways than just attending shows.

The company travels to schools and hospitals to perform their pieces and engage people in discussions about art. They also hold SpUrbans, Spontaneous Urban Performances, in public markets, colleges, lunch places, you name it! It’s all part of the mission to make art a very accessible and integrated part of the surrounding communities. The dancers have become local celebrities in Boise and have transformed a once dance-less community into a community of dance enthusiasts. They even have drinks named after them at the local bar! How cool is that? Plus, they’re just hilarious. Check out this video about their fundraising project, High Five.

But the company doesn’t only bring art out to the public; they also bring the public to the art. Daunting as that sounds, McIntyre makes it very easy to be involved in the whole process. People are invited to watch the rehearsal process from the very beginnings of a piece to the final touches. They host pre and post-show discussions to allow the audience to digest and also question the work they experience. The company also offers master classes for people of all skill levels and experience, so people can experience movement first hand.

But now after 10 years, Trey McIntyre has decided to take the company in a new direction. While the main company will not be full-time anymore, they will continue their mission to engage and create in the arts world. McIntyre will be working on more films, more dance companies and collaborating on new media projects. Perhaps more arts groups will catch the creative engagement bug! I know we have!  

Come see Trey McIntyre Project in one of their last performances as the touring company on Tuesday, April 22 at 7:30 PM. Tickets are FREE for U of M students.

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The Men Behind the Laughs

Chanse Shirley
Apr 15, 2014

Following a riveting comedy routine, which subjected the two thousand college students present to two hours of sidesplitting laughter, the stars of the CollegeHumor Live team sat down with some of our staff for an interview. We discussed a number of intriguing aspects of the wild comedic lives they lead, as well as their thoughts on college life in general. Some general notes I took from our discussion with Jake, Amir, and Streeter:

-  Jake said I have a cool name.
- They had a crazy driver on the way to Northrop.
- Jake’s sweatshirt matched the couch they sat on for the interview. A.K.A. he’s a chameleon.
- The three comedians appear to like jokes.

 Moving past these preliminary observations, we gathered several other helpful tips and insights from the CollegeHumor team. For those of you wondering how to best prank your friends (or enemies), Streeter suggests the classic “Axe Bomb,” the details of which you can find in our video. In response to our inquiry regarding the best advice for aspiring comedians, the trio said, “start early and do it as often as you can.”

All in all, Jake, Amir, and Streeter were a delight to meet and interview. They’re a fun group of guys that are laid back and clearly enjoy joking around – probably an appropriate characteristic given their profession. The characters they play on their videos are obviously the products of some hyperbole, but the men themselves are just as colorful and entertaining in their own right. 

Northrop Interview with CollegeHumor Live!

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Northrop Grand Reopening Round-Up

Melissa Wray
Apr 05, 2014

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Photo Credit: University of Minnesota

There were just so much fun coverage of last night's Northrop Grand Reopening that we had to pull together a round-up post to cover them all!

Star Tribune Walking Tour with Jim Moore (HGA Architect on the project) and Brett Dunlap (JE Dunn Senior Project Manager)
Want an insider's take on the new spaces within the building? Moore and Dunlap are the perfect guys for it. They gave the Star Tribune background on the concepts behind the new design and construction of Northrop's revitalization.

"Remaking a faded campus jewel" in Finance & Commerce
This excellent article reviews the precise and almost-surgical approach to deconstruction and revitlization that the design and construction team faced in renovating Northrop to the beautiful space it is today.

Star Tribune Slideshow
See Northrop come alive with audiences filling the seats and halls, and American Ballet Theatre bringing the story of Giselle to the new stage with this slideshow of amazing photos from last night!

Star Tribune Behind-The-Scenes in ABT Company Rehearsal
Ever wanted to be a fly on the wall in the rehearsal of one of the best dance theaters in the world? You can with this look at yesterday's company class in our brand new Rehearsal Room (first company to use the new, beautifully lit space!).

Pioneer Press: " 'New' Northrop makes a stylish debut, with a performance to match"
This review by Rob Hubbard states that last night "was a night on which the grace and beauty onstage competed with the grace and beauty of the auditorium in which it was performed." Read the full review to find out what Rob's personal highlights were!


If you're kicking yourself for missing last night's performance, don't sweat it. You have two more chances to see the exquisite American Ballet Theatre perform Giselle, and explore the new spaces yourself tonight at 8:00 pm and tomorrow at 2:00 pm. See you at Northrop!

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American Ballet Theatre Post-Performance Reflection

Northrop
Apr 04, 2014

After experiencing the large production of Giselle by American Ballet Theatre seen on the Carlson Family Stage this weekend, we have some questions for you to reflect upon.

  • What did you notice about the character of Giselle and how her character relates to the period in which Giselle was choreographed (late 19th century)?
  • What did the elaborate scenery remind you of?
  • How did you feel about the death of Giselle in the arms of Albrecht?
  • How did the fullness of the live orchestra make you feel?
  • What questions does the story raise?
  • How did the excellent acoustics and sightlines aid your experience?

Tell us about your experience at Northrop's Grand Reopening. We would to hear your thoughts on the performance and the reimagined Northrop. Did you attend the Northrop Inside Out After Dark Grand Reopening Gala Festivities? Do you have a new Northrop story?

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Be A Part of this Historic Moment: Northrop's Grand Reopening

Nicole Stumpf
Apr 02, 2014

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A view of the Carlson Family Stage A view of the Carlson Family Stage
Photo Credit: Tim Rummelhoff

On Friday, April 4th, Northrop will reopen its doors unveiling the results of the transformation it has under gone for the past three years. To celebrate this great milestone, you are invited to join us for Northrop’s Inside Out Grand Reopening. This momentous event will be filled with an evening of ballet, live music, dancing, and refreshments.

Prior to the start of the ballet, leading into the entrance of the new awe-inspiring, Carlson Family Stage, you will be greeted with a brass fanfare composed by University of Minnesota School of Music student Spencer Brand, performed with other gifted student musicians. Once settled into the comfortable seats of the new auditorium, you will feel the historical air of Northrop, while experiencing the performance of the classic Giselle with the technical prowess of one of the world’s leading ballet companies, the American Ballet Theatre. Performing the role of Giselle in one of the world’s oldest surviving full-length ballets, Paloma Herrera will float across the stage with delicate feet and dainty bourrées. Accompanying Paloma Herrera with seemingly effortless strength, will be Cory Stearns in the role of Albrecht. Using the theater to its full potential, a live orchestra will perform in the new orchestra pit, filling the auditorium through its revolutionary acoustical design.

"To see American Ballet Theatre at its best is to see it in Giselle. This production glows with dramatic life and finely nuanced acting that illuminates ABT's virtuoso dancing!" —The New York Times

Following the ballet, inside the restored Memorial Hall with light from the elegant chandeliers above, Twin Cities-based blues troupe, Davina and the Vagabonds, will dazzle you with their dynamic tunes. Upon stepping outside onto the front steps of Northrop, the University of Minnesota Marching Band will continue the excitement on the Northrop Plaza, as you stroll over to Northrop’s West Lawn for the Inside Out After Dark party. Once you enter the heated tent for the party, your ears will fill with tunes by DJ Jake Rudh, weekly host of “Transmission” on 89.3 The Current, and best Twin Cities DJ as voted by City Pages.

The dress code for the evening’s festivities is black tie optional – so, wear your best threads! Make sure you come early and stay late to walk around and explore Northrop’s new spaces. On the fourth floor, check out the Northrop Gallery for 100 Years of Student Drawings: Selections from the College of Design’s School of Architecture and the technology-rich Best Buy Theater to view images displaying the process of Northrop’s revitalization.

Please join us to be a part of this eventful evening at Northrop, and help us write the next chapter of history at the new Northrop.

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