P.A.I.R series: Far/Near

Permanent.Artists.In.Residence 2018 perfomance series

FAR / NEAR

a cross-country collaboration between

Jasmine Nunn (PHX) and Alyssa Brown (NYC)

PREMIERE of FAR/NEAR

Saturday, June 23rd, 2018

Mesa Arts Center, Acting Studio

PAY-WHAT-YOU-CAN (suggested $15)

FAR/NEAR is centered on the concepts of distance and nostalgia, drawing from the artists’ personal experiences living far from “home” and loved ones. Together they will be exploring the concept of emotional distance even when parties are physically near and the role place plays in relationships and memories. The performance will use projected video and both artists as well as an ensemble of Phoenix dancers. Sub-concepts include the advantages and pitfalls of technology in relationships, the psychology of nearness, the relevancy of physical presence, and how perception and memory change over time.

About the Artists

Jasmine Nunn had the privilege of receiving classical training as a child, graduating from Arizona School for the Arts and the School of Ballet Arizona. She then pursued contemporary and creative training at ASU while obtaining her BFA in Dance. She was in Barrett the Honors College as well, where her thesis examined ideas of identity and Western influence in relation to modern dance in China. Since college, she has been performing and choreographing in the Phoenix Area (with a brief hiatus in New York), most often in a collaborative capacity. She has had the privilege of participating in two previous [nueBOX] residencies and has enjoyed getting to explore performance in non-traditional spaces. She has a long harbored interest in the logistical side of growing and maintaining arts organizations, which she is now also getting to further develop as a [nueBOX] P.A.I.R.

Alyssa Brown was raised in a small town on the border of the US and Mexico. She started dancing as a child and obtained her degree in performance and choreography from Arizona State University in 2011. After college she moved to Chicago where she started interning with Audience Architects learning how to work in art administration. Then she moved back to Arizona where she started working as Program Manager at Phoenix Center for the Arts. In addition to overseeing multiple art departments with various mediums (such as ceramics metals, painting and photography), while working there she helped expand the youth dance program and started a dance program for adults. Additionally she helped start Beta Dance Festival and partnered with [nueBOX] to offer an artist in residency program. During her time in Arizona she was also performing and choreographing work throughout town at events like ARTELPHX, Beta Dance Festival, and Experimental Art Night. In 2016 she was award a professional development grant from the state of Arizona to attend and create at American Dance Festival. She recently relocated to Brooklyn to work at a flying trapeze school and get involved with the dance community.