In Pohaku, Christopher K. Morgan explores his own internal struggle as a mixed-race person and universal themes of loss and fractured identity, told through the lens of Hawaii’s native people. Incorporating traditional hula and music with contemporary dance and live electric cello, the solo integrates traditional and modern practices in a seamless storytelling and movement experience. Premiering at Dance Place on Saturday, March 19 at 8pm and Sunday, March 20 at 7pm, Pohaku will tour to Moloka’i, Hawaii and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center in April; the ODC Theater in San Francisco, California in June; Hawaii Theater in Honolulu, Hawaii; Kahilu Theater and UH Hilo on the Big Island in October; and to St. Paul, Minnesota in Feb 2017.
About Christopher K. Morgan
Born in Orange County, CA, Christopher’s Native Hawaiian ancestry and a diverse, international modern dance career that moved him to San Diego, Munich, New York, London, Dublin and now Washington DC, all influence his choreography. Said to be “charming and poignant” by The New York Times, his choreography has been presented in 18 countries on 5 continents. The work has addressed issues including sexuality, gender identity, race, climate change, immigration and water conservation. His 2010 work +1/-1 won the Dance Metro DC award for Outstanding New Work.
Christopher founded CKM&A in 2011; the same year Dance Magazine profiled him as one of six breakout choreographers in the United States. Collaborating with musicians, composers, visual artists, and dancers, the work of CKM&A truly embraces the word ‘Artists’ in its title. The company was named Washington DC’s Best Dance Company in the 2015 City Paper Reader’s Poll.
In addition to directing CKM&A, Morgan is a sought after educator and facilitator. He is the Dance Artist in Residence at the University of Maryland, and since 2006 has directed the Dance Omi International Dance Collective, an annual collaborative choreographers’ residency in New York. Christopher has adjudicated for several American College Dance Festivals, served on multiple panels for the National Endowment for the Arts, Maryland State Arts Council and the McKnight Foundation among others. Recent awards include a 2013 Native Arts & Cultures Foundation Fellowship, a 2014 Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award for Solo Dance Performance, being named one of the top 100 Creatives in the United States by Origin Magazine in April 2015, and the 2015 Montgomery County Executive’s Award for Outstanding Artist.
WHAT: Christopher K. Morgan & Artists
WHEN: Saturday, March 19 at 8pm; Sunday, March 20 at 7pm
WHERE: Dance Place, 3225 8th Street NE, Washington, DC 20017; two blocks from Redline Brookland/CUA Metro station; free and convenient parking
TICKETS: $30 Admission At the Door; $25 Admission (Advance Sales only)*; $20 Dance Place Members, Seniors (55+), Artists (Advance Sales only)*; $15 College Students and Children (17 & under)
*Advance Sales end 4 hours prior to performance start time.
To purchase tickets, visit danceplace.org or call 202.269.1600
