Sometimes playful, sometimes romantic, other times theatrical, DIbbbledance entertains, and connects with the vitality of life. Kevin Sprague photos.

So what has Susan Dibble been up to lately? A founding member of Shakespeare & Co. where she is a master teacher and resident choreographer, she is also chair of the Theatre Arts Department at Brandeis, and a sought after expert on historical dance. But her work is far from scholarly or esoteric, it is fresh and entertaining. The photos accompanying this article are from 2003-4 when she last did a Dibbledance presentation at Shakespeare & Company.

She returns with her dance company to showcase two world premieres on July 6 and 13. The performances have been given the title of Dibbledance: Here, There, and Everywhere & Seven Polished Hearts. For over three decades, Founding Member Susan Dibble has created and choreographed a wealth of productions at Shakespeare & Company and this season she brings audiences a special treat with her inventive, moving, often funny, provocative and stirring new works. Inspired by her relationships over the past 35 years, Dibbledance: Here, There, and Everywhere & Seven Polished Hearts traces the lines of life’s transitions, changes, and new possibilities through dance, music and movement.

Dibble Basics

Act One: Here, There, and Everywhere tells a story about love and courage based on images and metaphors that are a reflection of years of life and work at the Mount. Act Two: Seven Polished Hearts is a tribute to seven women actors and dancers who have performed and collaborated with Dibble over a span of 40 years.

Dibbledance: Here, There, and Everywhere & Seven Polished Hearts features many long time Dibbledance dancers and performers who are joined on-stage by a myriad of Company artists and special guests. Dancers include Susan Dibble, Barbara Allen, Merry Conway, Grazia Della-Terza, Sara Greenfield, Reilly Hadden, Sarah Hickler, Cecil Mackinnon, Jim Nutter, and Rebecca Perrin. Special guests and Company members include: Patrick Brennan, Susannah Millonzi, Tori Rhoades, Lucy Simotes, Enrico Spada, and Kevin Sprague.

Dibbledance covers a wide variety of dance in a theatrical manner. Kevin Sprague photos from 2003-4.

“Ever since I danced across the floor in my first movement class with John Broome in 1978 I have felt permission to be free,” says Dibble. “Dancing, and how I choreograph the dances, is to give people a chance to experience and taste a bit of freedom. Freedom is in our body, and it is in our imagination. Making dances for people who inspire me, because of their complexity and character, is what my life is about.” The late John Broome was a founding member of Shakespeare & Company whose work both inspired and continues to be an integral part of the Company’s esthetics and training.

Dibble Details

Act One: Here, There, and Everywhere (Friday, July 6th, 7:30pm – Founders’ Theatre)
This new piece was specifically choreographed for Shakespeare & Company’s 35th Season. In Here, There, and Everywhere a ghost character wearing big black shoes and a red bow string tied around her neck, observes dancing characters as they move and step along life’s bumpy path – she joins in the dances that tell stories of love, domestic life activities and vibrant social interaction, as she leads the company of characters in a series of new steps for the future.

Act Two: Seven Polished Hearts (Friday, July 13th 7:30pm – Founders’ Theatre)
The idea for this project came to Dibble after speaking with another dancer, Rebecca Perrin at Dibble’s art show at The Mill River Gallery in Great Barrington, MA in July 2007. They were talking about how much they wanted to do at least one more dance before it was too late. “I started thinking about each person and painted pictures of them enjoying Francis Bacon’s quote,” says Dibble. “I began rehearsals in NYC May 2009 and continued to paint images for the dances. Slowly but surely the piece began to take shape and I found a way to sew the dances together while drawing upon the characteristics and personalities of the performers. Each of the women in this dance is a close friend from many years ago and I am taking the opportunity to share this work in gratitude for the chance to keep making dances with and for the people who have influenced me profoundly.”

Dibble Tickets

Tickets are $30 with General Admission seating. For more information on season productions, schedules, to receive a brochure, or inquire about discounts on regular performances, please call the Box Office at (413) 637-3353 or visit www.Shakespeare.org. For customized group visits—which may include artist talkbacks, tours, and catered events—contact the Group Sales office at (413) 637-1199, ext. 132. Founders’ Theatre is air-conditioned, hearing aid assisted and wheelchair accessible.