seed (2023)
July 20 + 21, 2023
JACCC
seed is a multidisciplinary, multilocational, multigenerational performance piece that explores the collision of contemporary dance, projection mapping, and ikebana–the Japanese art of flower arranging. How can we honor and embody traditional art forms to reconnect with our cultural histories, the seed of our existence? Performed by Entity Contemporary Dance and Sogetsu Ikebana master artist Haruko Takeichi, seed examines the ephemerality of beauty and the cycles of fragmentation, destruction, and rebirth within both nature and society.
Co-directed & co-choreographed by Marissa Osato and Will Johnston
Ikebana Master Artist: Haruko Takeichi
Projection Artist: Caroline Marks
Composed by Matt Cady
Performed by Kent Boyd, Emily Crouch, Shiori Kamijo, Jason Martin, Grayson McGuire, Vickie Roan, Eugenia Rodriguez, Diana Schoenfield, Derek Tabada
black midi - John L (2021)
Directed/Choreographed by Nina McNeely
Editing & Animations by Nina McNeely
Produced by MAAVVEN
Performed by Raymond Ejiofor, Angel Mammoliti, Kent Boyd, Karen Chuang, Derek Tabada, Jason Martin, Diana Schoenfield
Featuring Entity Contemporary Dance
THE SPECTACULAR SOCIETY (2019)
November 22-23, 2019
USC & Navel LA
Directed/Choreographed by Marissa Osato
Filmed/Edited by Nico Savignano
Performed by Kayla Aguila, Kent Boyd, Angel Mammoliti, Jason Martin, Eugenia Rodriguez, Diana Schoenfield, Derek Tabada
Concept/Choreography/Direction by Will Johnston + Marissa Osato Music by Kelsey Lu Videography by Vince Horiuchi Performance by: Duet: Angel Mammoliti + Diana Schoenfield Ensemble: Natalie Allen, Drew Gliwa, Hannah Hawkins, Vickie Roan, Eugenia Rodriguez, Kurtis Sprung, Derek Tabada *Special thanks to Ben Franke
in honor of all the times I wasn’t myself (2024)
September 13 + 14, 2024
Stomping Ground LA
Directed and choreographed by Co-Founders/Co-Artistic Directors Will Johnston and Marissa Osato, in honor of all the times I wasn’t myself examines our impulse to filter / distort our bodies and behaviors in order to persuade, protect, and assimilate. Changing their voices and minds in real time, performers oscillate between controlled and chaotic extremes in both movement phrases and spoken confessions. Commemorating its 15th season, Entity Contemporary Dance premieres its most intimate and revealing work, ultimately asking, What is authenticity, anyway?
Composed by Kurtis Sprung
Performed by Karen Chuang, Emily Crouch, Aika Doone, Shiori Kamijo, Grayson McGuire, Vickie Roan, Diana Schoenfield and guest artist, Kevin Lau
ENTITYFEATURES (2021)
August 13, 2021
JACCC
Entity Contemporary Dance and JACCC present EntityFeatures, a series of movement films created by and for Entity. A live screening interwoven with live performance and artist Q&A—all within the beauty of JACCC’s James Irvine Japanese Garden.
New movement films by Nina McNeely, Will Johnston, Marissa Osato, Karen Chuang, Emily Crouch, Shiori Kamijo, Grayson McGuire, Diana Schoenfield
Filmed by Nico Savignano
Live performance by Emily Crouch, Jason Martin, Grayson McGuire, Shiori Kamijo, Vickie Roan, Eugenia Rodriguez
TRANSPARENT/SEE: A CONTINUED CONVERSATION (2020)
November 22, 2020
Streamed Online
Co-directed & co-choreographed by Marissa Osato and Will Johnston
Panelists: Andrew Morgan, Gordon Renouf, Eleanor Amari, Dana Trans
Filmed/Edited by Vince Horiuchi and Will Johnston
Performed by Kent Boyd, Karen Chuang, Emily Crouch, Grayson McGuire, Angel Mammoliti, Shiori Kamijo, Eugenia Rodriguez, Diana Schoenfield, Derek Tabada
KIN (2019)
Co-directed & co-choreographed by Marissa Osato and Will Johnston
Music by Kelsey Lu
Videography by Vince Horiuchi
Duet: Angel Mammoliti + Diana Schoenfield
Ensemble: Natalie Allen, Drew Gliwa, Hannah Hawkins, Vickie Roan, Eugenia Rodriguez, Kurtis Sprung, Derek Tabada
*Special thanks to Ben Franke
TRANSPARENT/SEE (2019)
Co-directed & co-choreographed by Marissa Osato and Will Johnston
Entity Contemporary Dance’s evening length work, TRANSPARENT/SEE, examines the misconnection between garment maker and consumer within the fast fashion industry. Responding to the simple question, “Who made this?,” choreographers Will Johnston and Marissa Osato seek to illuminate the hands behind the products we wear. Exploring themes of overconsumption, sacrifice, personalization, and community, TRANSPARENT/SEE questions what is lost and found in our commodity-driven culture.
PEEL (2016/17)
Co-directed & co-choreographed by Marissa Osato and Will Johnston
An exploration of cleansing, purification, and a collective obsession with shedding internal and external layers.
Braxon vs. Oregon (2014/15)
Co-directed & co-choreographed by Marissa Osato and Will Johnston
Annette Braxon is faced with the choice of whether or not to end the life of a loved one suffering from a terminal illness. Using the Death with Dignity Act as a dramaturgical backbone, Braxon vs. Oregon explores themes of sacrifice, judgment, and communal persuasion. The audience plays witness to Annette’s sentencing trial and is forced to confront questions of morality and justice.