For 10 years, our annual summer production featured 7-9 new and revisited works by primarily local and occasionally visiting choreographers who each had their own cast of dancers. In 2019, we shifted it’s format to what we are now calling The Cohort, featuring a company of dancers performing works by one local and two visiting choreographers alongside work by RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard. This shift has allowed us to create deeper engagement for collaborating artists and the presentation of more substantial works for our audiences to chew on. In 2022, we added a screendance component to support jazz-inspired artists creating work in that medium.
PAST SUMMER SHOWS
| THE COHORT 2022: STAGE & SCREEN |
The Southern Theater/ The Showplace Icon Theater Minneapolis
August 11-13/ October 23
The stage component featured works by local artists RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard and Rae Charles Harge (also an RS Company Member), and visiting artists Kathleen Doherty (Halifax, NS, Canada) and Laura Ann Smyth (Los Angeles, CA). The show was performed by company dancers Nieya Amezquita, Rae Charles Harge, Doug Hooker, Sara Karimi, Erinn Liebhard, Kelli Miles, Javan Mngrezzo, Jake Nerhbass, Kathleen Pender and Betsy Schaefer-Roob. Lighting Design and Technical Direction: Mike Grogan, Stage Management: Sarah Salisbury. Choreographer selection panel: Doug Hooker, Erinn Liebhard and Hannah Elias. Learn more about the screen component HERE!
| THE COHORT 20/21: JAZZ ON TAP |
The Shed (Outdoors) @ The Lab Brewery
May 22 and 23
“Jazz on Tap” was an outdoor, shared bill with Keane Sense of Rhythm tap company, with each group performing three shows in rotation with one another. After a year and a half in Covid limbo, the works by visiting choreographers Dougie Robbins and Ayo Walker, local choreographer Kayla Schiltgen and RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard that were selected for The Cohort 2020 finally made it to live performance! This show was performed by company dancers Nieya Amezquita, Doug Hooker, Amy Jones, Sara Karimi, Erinn Liebhard, Kelli Miles, Kathleen Pender and John Surber.
| THE COHORT: FROM HOME |
Zoom Webinars
August 14, 2020 from 7:30-9pm
Featuring sneak previews of work by visiting choreographers Dougie Robbins and Ayo Walker, local choreographer Kayla Schiltgen and RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard, as well as dancers Nieya Amezquita, Rae Charles, Doug Hooker, Amy Jones, Sara Karimi, Kelli Miles, Kathleen Pender, John Surber and Crissy Tolson, and technical assistance from Luther Bell, Jillian Bell, Hannah Elias Kristine Elias, Brian J. Evans, Kristoffer Olson and Mark Ruark.
| Rhythmically Speaking presents . . . The Cohort |
Southern Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 15-17, 2019
Featured work by RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard with local choreographer Julie Warder and visiting choreographers Rohan Bhargava/ Rovaco Dance (New York, NY) and Pat Taylor/ JazzAntiqua (Los Angeles, CA). Company of local dancers: Nora Anderson, Doug Hooker, Erik Hunder, Sara Karimi, Erinn Liebhard, Kelli Miles, Kathleen Pender, Betsy Schaefer-Roob, Cheng Xiong. Also featured was the beatboxing of Fernando Acevedo (NY), with Lighting Design and Technical Direction by Mike Grogan and Stage Management by Sarah Salisbury. Choreographer selection panel: Brian J. Evans, Erinn Liebhard and Zoe Sealy. Dancer selection panel: Ozzy Dris, Erinn Liebhard, Judith James Ries and Julie Warder.
Press Log
| Rhythmically Speaking 10/2018 |
Southern Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 16-18, 2018
Featured work by Gabriel Anderson & Laura Selle-Virtucio, Leila Awadallah, Melissa Clark, Brandi Coleman (Dallas, TX), Karla Grotting, Jolene Konkel, Erinn Liebhard (RS Artistic Director) and Emma Marlar
Press Log
| Rhythmically Speaking 2017 |
Illusion Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 17-19, 2017
Featured work by Karla Grotting, O’Calla Joslyn, Erinn Liebhard (RS Artistic Director), Kaleena Miller, Laura Osterhaus, Jeffrey Peterson (PA) and Abigail Whitmore
Press Log
| Rhythmically Speaking 2016 |
Southern Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 18-20, 2016
Featured work by Rush Benson, Rae Charles, Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner (OR), Karla Grotting, Erinn Liebhard (RS Artistic Director), Laura Selle-Virtucio and Pat Taylor/ JazzAntiqua Dance Ensemble (CA)
Press Log
| Rhythmically Speaking 2015 |
Bedlam Lowertown, St. Paul MN
August 20-22, 2015
Featured work by Rush Benson and Brian Evans, Jennifer Glaws, Sarah Jabar, Keane Sense of Rhythm, Erinn Liebhard, Emily Oleson and Kwame Opare (West Virginia/ D.C.) and Clarence Teeters Jr. (reconstructed by Karla Grotting)
Press Log
| Rhythmically Speaking 2014 |
Southern Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 14-16, 2014
Featured work by Michele Dunleavy, Karla Grotting, B-Boy J-Sun, Erinn Liebhard, Christine Maginnis, Joanne Spencer and Voice of Culture
Press Log
| Rhythmically Speaking 2013 |
Southern Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 15-17, 2013
Featured work by Yung-Tsi Bolon & Laura Horn, Emily Broeker, Maura Garcia, Karla Grotting, RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard, Christine Maginnis and Darrius Strong
Press Log
| 2012: Rhythmically Speaking presents . . . |
Southern Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 16-18, 2012
Featured work by Deborah Elias, Karla Grotting, Cythnia Gutierrez-Garner, Carrie Lande, RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard, Jennifer Mack, Whitney McClusky, J-Sun and Dancin’ Dave and Joanne Spencer
Press Log
KFAI Fresh Air Radio Feature
| 2011: Rhythmically Speaking presents Groovers & Makers |
Southern Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 25-27, 2011
Featured work by Emily Broeker, Jennifer Glaws, Karla Grotting, Jolene Konkel, Carrie Lande, RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard, Jeffrey Peterson, Julie Warder and Cathy Wind
Press Log
| 2010: Rhythmically Speaking presents Principles of Pulse |
Bedlam Theater, Minneapolis MN
August 19-21, 2010
Featured work by Jennifer Glaws, Karla Grotting, Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner, Sarah Jabar, Ellen Keane, RS Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard, Jeffrey Peterson, Kenna Sarge and Karis Sloss
Press Log
| 2009: Rhythmically Speaking |
Bedlam Theatre, Minneapolis MN
August 20-22, 2009
Featured work by Karla Grotting, Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner, Jolene Konkel, RS Co-Artistic Director Erinn Liebhard, Kaleena Miller, Karis Sloss, and RS Co-Artistic Director Heather P. Westerlund
Rhythmically Speaking 