Jenna Berlyn
In Between
Photo credits: courtesy of the artist
Jenna Berlyn
Jenna Berlyn is a contemporary dance artist and choreographer based in Vancouver, B.C. She is a graduate of Modus Operandi Contemporary Dance Program under the artistic direction of Tiffany Tregarthen and David Raymond. She has pursued summer training at Banff Centre, b12 festival, Eastman/Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui, Henny Jurriëns Foundation and Atlas MX. As a freelance artist, she has performed in works by Paras Terezakis/Kinesis Dance Somatheatro, Daisy Thompson, Jennifer Mcleish-Lewis, Caldonia Walton and Still Moon Arts Society.She was a commissioned artist with Festival of Recorded Movement where her dance and animation film, Trace, Tread, premiered in September 2019. Jenna has completed a mentorship with Francesca Frewer, a creation period with Tia Kushniruk and most recently started choreographing a piece for four dancers called In Between, all of which were funded by the Canada Council for the Arts. Jenna is a co-founder of the collective Okams Racer.
In Between
In Between wonders what may be possible in an afterlife and what could exist as a transitory stage after death. Do beings hold a collective consciousness, striving for something that is greater than our earthly selves? What exactly are our souls, and do twin flames exist? With these discussions in mind, In Between is a dreamy, light hearted world of individual and collective exploration and meaning making. These ideas are abstracted into the medium of contemporary dance and with the use of headlamps. The dancer’s inhabit different characters within the material, yet come together in unison. Note: the piece is unfinished, and will benefit from a technical and creation residency.
Photo credits: courtesy of the artist
Performance History of In Between
Past: May 21, 2021. Instagram livestream studio showing, The Dance Centre, Vancouver, BC. In Between work in progress showing after 2 week creation period.
Upcoming: November 5 & 6, 2021. Chalk It Up! Studio show, 45W, Vancouver, BC. Showing an excerpt of In Between.
Project Details
Project created by: Jenna Berlyn, in collaboration with the dancers.
Key Collaborators:
Dancers/collaborators Samantha Krystal, Tamar Tabori, Nasiv Sall, Kylie Miller, Ana Sosa.
Original music by Stefan Nazarevich.
Audience: General Audience.
Length in minutes: 26 minutes currently, ability to extend to 55 minutes after residency. Currently is a mixed program length.
Space required: In Between is imagined for a black box theatre, but could be adapted to alternative venues as long as lighting requirements are met. As an example, the piece could be performed in a highschool auditorium if the lights can be turned off, and two to four lights could be used at ground level. The same would apply for an outdoor venue like a covered gazebo, if the performance was held after sunset.
Preparation required: This piece would benefit from a technical residency if possible. Minimum 4 hour tech, 1-2 hours dancer warm up.
General technical requirements: Light coloured/white Marley flooring is ideal but not necessary. Basic lighting with ability to fade up and down to darkness. Dancers use headlamps in the piece. Black out curtains or dark space. Sound system.
Availabilities: SUMMER 2022, FALL 2022, WINTER 2023, SPRING 2023, SUMMER 2023
Number of performers on tour: 5
Number of support staff on tour: 1
Community Engagement Activities
Masterclass or drop in dance classes in improvisation, choreographic tools, contemporary technique, ballet. Classes can be for school children, pre-professional or professional levels. Masterclasses/workshops would be taught at a rate of $36-50/hr.