Dancing Through The Torah

Upcoming Performances

2009-09-24T08:50:00.023-04:00

With an eye to the past and a nod to the future, Orcha Dance Theatre offers an epic performance straight from Biblical times. The world premier of “Dancing Through The Torah, Part I: Mishkan to Moshe,” a 90-minute journey tracing the dreams, struggles, and celebrations of our Biblical ancestors, presents each weekly Torah portion and major Jewish holiday from March to September.

New England Fringe Festival Participating Dance Co.
October 3 & 4, 2009
Location: Firebeat Dancesport Studios View Map
14 Harvard Ave, Allston, MA, on the corner of Cambridge Street, opposite a hair salon called “Scissor Sound,” and next to Ace Hardware. The front of 14 Harvard Ave, which is a renovated fire station, is covered in green ivy. There is a driveway to the left of the building, with a bright yellow door. Enter! And ascend two flights of stairs. We’ll be there to greet you at the top. The house seats 40 people in an intimate and unique setting.
Parking: Yes! Street parking along Harvard Ave and as well as down the street in Blanchard’s parking lot.
Public Transportation: Yes! The Take the B-line to the Harvard Ave stop. Bus #66 from Harvard Square, Bus #64 from Central. Bus #57 goes down Brighton Ave.
Dates and times:
Saturday October 3rd @ 8pm
Sunday October 4th @ 2pm*
Sunday October 4th @ 7pm
Tickets: $10 for all!
Call: 512-632-4869 to reserve tickets, yet still pay at the door. First come first serve. House opens 30 minutes before the show. Reserved tickets will be released 10 minutes before the curtain.
* Denotes a talkback session with the company following the performance

Charter Oak Cultural Center
October 10 -1 1, 2009
Location: 21 Charter Oak Avenue, Hartford, CT View Map
Dates and times:
Saturday October 10th @ 8pm
Sunday October 11th @ 2pm*
Sunday October 11th @ 7pm
Tickets: $20 general admission, $10 senior, $5 student
Call: 860-249-1207 to reserve/purchase tickets.
Built in 1876, Charter Oak is Connecticut’s first synagogue. Now with a gallery and a 150 seat performance space, Charter Oak serves as an important multicultural arts center.
Charter Oak's Website with more detailed ticket info:
http://www.charteroakcenter.org/index.php/membership/
* Denotes a talkback session with the company following the performance

Boston University
October 15-18, 2009
Location: 808 Commonwealth Avenue View Map
The building is located in the major intersection opposite the BU bridge. If you are facing the building, with the bridge at your back, enter the side door to the right of the building. Ascend two flights of stairs. Signs will guide your way.
Dates and times:
Thursday, October 15th @ 7pm
Friday, October 16th @ 8pm
Saturday, October 17th @ 8pm
Sunday, October 18th @ 2pm*
Sunday, October 18th @ 7pm
Tickets: Free for B.U. community and general public.
Call: 512-632-4869 to reserve tickets
* Denotes a talkback session with the company following the performance

Actors’ Temple NYC
October 25, 2009
Location: 339 West 47th Street between 8th and 9th Avenues View Map
Date and time:
Sunday, October 25th @ 7pm
Tickets: $15 general admission
Call: 512-632-4869 to reserve tickets
A vibrant synagogue that during the 1930’s was home to such performers as Sophie Tucker and the Three Stooges. ODT will perform in the sanctuary which has a 23 x 60 performance space.
Actors' Temple Website with a detailed history: http://www.theactorstemple.org/history.html

Rehearsal Footage!

2009-09-23T11:38:00.008-04:00

"Dancing With The Birds"

"Dancing With the Dumpsters, Finale Finale"

"Giving Notes on Finale Finale, After Teaching It To The Twins, And Dancing It Again!"

The Dancers of ODT

2009-09-22T09:55:00.011-04:00

Rachel Batiancila, originally from New Haven, CT, graduated with honors from Boston University in 2006 with a degree in Economics. She currently works as a Program Manager in the Technology Industry Advisory Consulting group at Forrester Research, a technology research company in Cambridge, MA. Rachel has been dancing for about 23 years and has studied modern dance, lyrical, ballet, and jazz. She met Gabrielle in 2002 during their freshman year of college where they took the same modern dance class and lived on the same dormitory floor. They've been working together ever since! Rachel is thrilled to be a continual part of Gabrielle's ensemble and is thankful for the numerous unique dance opportunities. Rachel would also like to thank her parents, Thelma and the late Vicente Batiancila, for being so supportive of her dancing for the past 23 years.

Lauren Batiancila has danced with Gabrielle Orcha since 2002 where they met during dance class at Boston University. Since then, she has performed at the Huntington Theater, the Wimberly Theater, and at the American College Dance Festival, among many other venues. She graduated from BU in 2006 and is currently pursuing a second degree in nursing from Simmons College. Lauren feels blessed to have spent the past six months with such wonderful, committed dancers and to be a part of Orcha Dance Theatre.

Kara Johnson began her training at Dance Arts in Westfield, MA under the direction of Lisa Baldyga Harty, and at the Massachusetts Academy of Ballet in Holyoke, MA with Artistic Directors Rose and Charles Flachs. She continued with summer study at The Walnut Hill School, The Boston Conservatory, The Boston Ballet, Jacob's Pillow, and the Paul Taylor Dance Company. She then graduated summa cum laude, receiving her B.A. in English Literature and Dance, at Mount Holyoke College. Performance credits while at MHC include repertory by George Balanchine, José Limón, Twyla Tharp, and Paul Taylor. Kara is also a dancer with Prometheus Dance Company in Cambridge, an art model for Boston-area art schools, an instructor at the Boston Ballet School, and an aspiring writer. She is thrilled to be a part of Orcha Dance Theater.

Maya Medalla began her dance training at age 6 in the Philippines, under Emilie Rigonan, former principal ballet dancer of Ballet Philippines. She had been dancing ever since, training with Manila's premier dance schools and companies: Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) School of Dance, Ballet Manila School and Powerdance modern and jazz dance company. During her college education at the University of the Philippines (UP), she joined professional dance groups UP Dansa and Danscap Manila, lead by former UP Filipiniana principal dancers, Ronaldo Labian and Jordan Punsalang. After college, she went on to study at the Alvin Ailey School of Dance in New York. A year after, she began graduate studies at Boston University, where she had met and collaborated with Gabrielle Orcha on numerous projects. After a two-year hiatus from dance to concentrate on finishing her PhD, Maya is happy to be back working with Gabrielle, and “Dancing Through the Torah” with her long-time friends and dance collaborators.