ABOUT THE PRODUCTION
ASHES is the fourth section from a larger piece known as LIGHT / THE HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY PROJECT. Situated during the catastrophic events of the Holocaust, this work strives to illustrate the courage, resilience, and sometimes pure luck required to endure and rebuild life after unimaginable and devastating loss. How do relationships develop within confinement? The circle of life is complex with acts of kindness, rescue, survival, frustration and anger. We enter and leave alone.
“I am grateful to Naomi Warren and the many survivors who shared their testimony during the creation of this work. I am forever changed by this knowledge and hope that by my sharing Naomi’s story, others will be affected to fight indifference and intolerance when witnessed. Past is present and not to be forgotten.” – Stephen Mills
CONCEPT / CHOREOGRAPHY: Stephen Mills
MUSIC: Arvo Pärt
Emmy®-winning documentary, PRODUCING LIGHT
Photography by Anne Marie Bloodgood &Tony Spielberg
All rights reserved | No unauthorized use
HIGHLIGHTS
- Concept / Choreography: Stephen Mills
- Music: Arvo Pärt
- Costume Design: Christopher McCollum
- Lighting Design: Tony Tucci
- Media Design: EXOPOLIS
- Run-time: 27 minutes
- Dancers: 8 (4 women & 4 men)
PREMIERES
BASS CONCERT HALL | BALLET AUSTIN (World Premiere) – Austin, TX*
THE JOYCE THEATER– New York, NY
XVII INTERNAZIONALE ADANO DANZA – Abano Terme, Italy
FESTIVAL LJUBLIJANA– Ljubljana, Slovenia
ARSHT CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS – Miami, FL*
ACCO FRINGE FESTIVAL – Acco, Israel*
SUZANNE DELLAL CENTRE – Tel Aviv, Israel*
GERARD BEHAR CENTER– Jerusalem, Israel*
THE KRAVIS CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS – West Palm Beach, FL*
THE LONG CENTER FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS – Austin, TX*
BYHAM THEATER | PITTSBURGH BALLET THEATER – Pittsburgh, PA*
POLK THEATER | NASHVILLE BALLET – Nashville, TN*
*Performed as part of the larger Stephen Mills production:
LIGHT / THE HOLOCAUST & HUMANITY PROJECT
PRESS
“…romantic…expression of tender sentiment…”
New York Times
“A passionate plea for human rights.”
Miami New Times
“…beautiful storytelling has, perhaps, never been so dramatically felt.”
Broadway World
“[Mills’] creative imagery was surprisingly concise and his choreography, with its endlessly original movement and partnering, was distinctive and powerful.”
Palm Beach Artspaper
“This is a way to build on our past and create a new future,”
CBS12
“A frenzied flurry of hands and lights opens a ballet scene…to promote tolerance, fight bigotry and hate.”
YNet News
“The abstract scene with its single spotlight could represent a church in Rwanda, a labor camp in Cambodia or a gas chamber in Europe.”
Associated Press
“…A masterful exposition on one of history’s darkest episodes. Visually and emotionally gripping…”
Austin American Statesman
“…A powerful, emotional experience that doesn’t let go when you leave the theater.”
Pittsburgh Tribune-Review