Quarterly check-up / in

Recent Blogposts

2023: February  May  August  October 

2024: February ______

Looks like a pattern. 

Quarterly is about how often I managed to print and mail a newsletter back in the old days: only the news that fits to print.  Nowadays Marta Renzi & The Project Co doesn't tour the major capitals - more likely I produce a dance film or two each year. Which, come to think of it, do tour the major capitals - since October they've screened in Cork, Ireland; Tibilisi, Georgia; Miami, Florida; San Juan, Puerto Rico; Boulder, Colorado; Malaga, Spain; Athens, Greece; Koln, Germany; Sao Paulo, Brazil, as well as online. Wow, even I am impressed.

See below for the most recent completed film: Inter-Library Loan, a speedy and successful 5-day project with 15 vivacious Rhode Island College students. It premieres in their spring concert later this month, and will then be submitted to dance film festivals. 

But the news that can't wait is a lovely collaboration in Berlin cooked up between Eve Wickert and Selina Shida Hack, both muses of mine. I'm delighted that the evening will include screenings of Cork Journal; 3 Windows, 1 Door; 890 Broadway and Kata.

Sounds intriguing, right? Not only on the bill with two women I admire - but with Beethoven too!

In the previous post, as I prepared for the RIC project, I reminded readers that Jennifer Keller first invited me to make Plow Plant Reap and later Where Love Leads with her students at Slippery Rock University. In return I invited her to join me in to meet the director of the RIC Dance Company, Angelica Vessella, who produced Tumult. On our most recent project, Jennifer was joined by second camera, Addy Birkes (who happens to be her daughter). 

Get this speedy production schedule: we had 4-hour rehearsals for 3 days.  Then our talented mother/daughter duo above shot in the fabulous Providence Public Library for 2 days. But, kids, don't try this at home.

It helped that the RIC students know how to generate movement freely, work hard, and - so important - understand how to let their personalities shine right through to the camera. It won't bring peace in Gaza, but it's a colorful romp with some nice changes in pacing that make me proud.

And there's footage in the can - ok, clips on the hard drive. Shot in December outdoors in Hyde Park, NY with long-time partners-in-crime dancer Rob Sorrentino and cinematographer Charles Caster-Dudzick. It's an odd premise - Rob's dance partner is an artist's mannequin - which I'm looking forward to editing ... as I recuperate from total knee replacement!

Can't keep a good - or anyway a persistent - woman down.