ABOUT THE PROJECT:
The Fate of Choice is an evening length work that originally premiered in 2020, that pairs multimedia with contemporary dance. The work beautifully and provocatively explores the world through opposing landscapes: Free Will vs. Determinism. “Do we truly have free will or are our lives pre-determined?” The work leads an artistic and philosophical discussion, inviting audience members to consider how their own lives and personal actions are influenced by their beliefs. We open with the question: “Can we control the curve of history or does it control us?” After an exploration of the opposing philosophies, Free Will and Determinism, the show concludes that perhaps we are neither dominoes falling in order nor powerful architects who construct every element. The truth lies somewhere in between—a compromise between extremes. Viewers can choose what to make of it, it’s only the question of their life.
project choreographer:
Stephanie L. Dorrycott, Artistic Director of Motion X Dance DC, was born outside of Washington, DC in Alexandria, VA and was integrated in dance from a young age. Her early training came from The Center for Ballet Arts in Fairfax, VA where she performed pre-professionally as a member of The Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax. Stephanie went on to receive her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Dance from Shenandoah University in 2009, earning the Excellence in Choreography Award upon graduation. Stephanie performed professionally as a freelance artist in DC in various festivals and showcases and also performed with Dancin Unlimited Jazz Company for four years. Her passion for performance evolved over the years and she eventually shifted her focus towards choreography and into the development of Motion X Dance DC. Her choreography has been seen on various dance groups, including Metropolitan Youth Ballet, Joy of Motion Youth Company, Dancin' Unlimited Jazz Company, The Ballet Arts Ensemble of Fairfax (BAE) and Inwood Dance Company. Her 2011 work, Holding On, Letting Go, performed by BAE, was chosen to be presented at the Southeastern Regional Ballet Association's Regional Festival '11 where it received the Monticello Award for best emerging choreography. Stephanie has been commissioned for choreography by Shenandoah University, Georgetown University, and Joy of Motion Dance Center and has choreographed numerous pieces for dancers competing in the Youth American Grand Prix. Her choreographic work on Motion X has received accolades from reviewers in DC Metro Theater Arts, DC Theatre Scene, The Huffington Post, Washington City Paper, and DC Dance Journalism Project. Her 2018 work, Turning Point, was selected for the 36th Annual Choreographer’s Showcase at the University of Maryland, a highly competitive dance showcase in the DC area. As a dance educator, Stephanie has had opportunities to share her passion for dance at many dance schools and institutions, including an invitation in 2019 to teach a master class at The Kennedy Center REACH Opening Festival. Stephanie spent 10 years on faculty at the Metropolitan School of the Arts, assisting in the development of their contemporary program and providing choreography for many stage productions. She is now serving full time as the Associate Director for the Greater Washington Dance Center in Reston, VA, where she is in charge of the modern and jazz programming and assists with the resident pre-professional company, Festival Ballet Virginia.
Multimedia designer & project collaborator:
Lindsay Benson Garrett, graphic designer, is a dancing designer and photographer who has an insatiable appetite to create. Her award winning photography has been featured in celebrity cookbooks, national newspapers and numerous magazines. After earning her degree in both graphic design and dance, Lindsay has designed and danced professionally for over a decade. She enjoys splitting her time between dancing on stage and sculpting advertising campaigns for national brands using design and photography. Lindsay currently serves as the strategic creative partner at Copper Note, a multi-disciplinary branding and web agency in Virginia and performs with RVA Dance Collective.
Photos from the premiere performance at the 2020 Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival in Washington, DC
ABOUT THE PERFORMING COMPANY:
Motion X Dance DC (Motion X) is a contemporary dance company based in the Washington DC area. Stephanie Dorrycott founded the company in 2013 with the goal of creating a contemporary modern repertory company that supports the individuality and artistic development of dancers. Motion X is passionate about creating relatable dance pieces that reflect on the human experience, while seeking to attract new audiences for dance. Our mission is to share innovative and thought-provoking dance works to all kinds of people, artistic and not, presented from a diverse range of choreographers working in a collaborative environment. Motion X provides a platform for artists and choreographers to become their best selves. Through collaboration, the rehearsal process, and artistic development, the choreography we present is a reflection of the artists' diversity. Motion X artists use their technical skill as a base to explore further, discovering more effective styles of contemporary movement. Through this process, our repertoire opens up a deeper connection to the community and reaches the widest audience possible.
As an organization in the arts, we recognize our responsibility to the surrounding communities. Motion X is passionate about education and hosts an annual Summer Workshop for professional level dancers and advanced students. The Summer Workshop has become the company's largest event each season, drawing dancers from colleges and dance programs across the East Coast. All educational programs are intended to further the training of the aspiring professional dancer, leading them to discover their truest artistic voice. Each workshop teaches the "Motion X" way of moving through space and highlights our versatility and unique movement style in the DC region.
Motion X has produced successful productions as part of Capital Fringe Festival and Atlas Intersections Festival, receiving accolades from critics and reviewers of DC Theatre Scene, DC Metro Theater Arts, Washington City Paper, and The Dance Journalism Project. In addition, the company has also appeared as part of TEDx Herndon and has performed at The John F. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. They have been presented at Charlotte Dance Festival, the Richmond Choreographer’s Showcase, and most recently at the 36th Annual Choreographer’s Showcase at the University of Maryland. Motion X Dance DC is a resident company of Joy of Motion Dance Center.
Motion X Dance DC (Motion X) is a contemporary dance company based in the Washington DC area. Stephanie Dorrycott founded the company in 2013 with the goal of creating a contemporary modern repertory company that supports the individuality and artistic development of dancers. Motion X is passionate about creating relatable dance pieces that reflect on the human experience, while seeking to attract new audiences for dance. Our mission is to share innovative and thought-provoking dance works to all kinds of people, artistic and not, presented from a diverse range of choreographers working in a collaborative environment. Motion X provides a platform for artists and choreographers to become their best selves. Through collaboration, the rehearsal process, and artistic development, the choreography we present is a reflection of the artists' diversity. Motion X artists use their technical skill as a base to explore further, discovering more effective styles of contemporary movement. Through this process, our repertoire opens up a deeper connection to the community and reaches the widest audience possible.
As an organization in the arts, we recognize our responsibility to the surrounding communities. Motion X is passionate about education and hosts an annual Summer Workshop for professional level dancers and advanced students. The Summer Workshop has become the company's largest event each season, drawing dancers from colleges and dance programs across the East Coast. All educational programs are intended to further the training of the aspiring professional dancer, leading them to discover their truest artistic voice. Each workshop teaches the "Motion X" way of moving through space and highlights our versatility and unique movement style in the DC region.
Motion X has produced successful productions as part of Capital Fringe Festival and Atlas Intersections Festival, receiving accolades from critics and reviewers of DC Theatre Scene, DC Metro Theater Arts, Washington City Paper, and The Dance Journalism Project. In addition, the company has also appeared as part of TEDx Herndon and has performed at The John F. Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage. They have been presented at Charlotte Dance Festival, the Richmond Choreographer’s Showcase, and most recently at the 36th Annual Choreographer’s Showcase at the University of Maryland. Motion X Dance DC is a resident company of Joy of Motion Dance Center.
PAST PERFORMANCES & EVENTS:
2020
2016
2015
2014
2020
- Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival, World Premiere of The Fate of Choice (Washington, DC)
- 36th Annual Choreographer's Showcase, Turning Point (College Park, MD)
- Charlotte Dance Festival, Comme je Suis (Charlotte, NC)
- SPRING | 4, Motion X Dance DC Resident Company Performance (Washington, DC)
- Mid-Atlantic Choreographer's Showcase, Comme je Suis (Richmond, VA)
- Capital Movement presents, CommUNITY Showcase, Comme je Suis (Silver Spring, MD)
- Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival: Breaking Barriers (Washington, DC)
- Joy of Motion Dance Center presents, SPLIT with Uprooted Dance (Jack Guidone Theater, Washington DC)
- Children's National Medical Center: Outreach performance (Washington, DC)
- ProMotion X: A fundraiser to ensure artist compensation (Metropolitan School of the Arts, Alexandria, VA)
- DC Dance Summit, Hosted by Dance Metro DC at the Dance Loft on 14 (Washington, DC)
- Three to See: Artists Collaboration Project, Hosted by Motion X featuring Company Danzante & Donald Knaack (The Junkman)
- Atlas INTERSECTIONS Festival: Concrete Devotion with Other Works
2016
- TEDx Herndon: performed an excerpt of Altered Archives
- The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts: Presented on Millennium Stage
- Capital Fringe Festival: Concrete Devotion
- The One I Feed Dance Benefit, Concrete Devotion excerpt
- Atlas Intersections Festival: Altered Archives
- DANCE: DC Area New Companies Experience, performed Concrete Devotion
2015
- Capital Fringe Festival: Altered Archives Premiere
- TEDx Herndon: performed Anamnesis & Catch
- Atlas Intersections Festival: Commissioned site specific work, Two People Met
2014
- NYC10 Dance Showcase: performed Catch (New York City, NY)
- Joy of Motion Dance Project: Released