By Josh Inocéncio
Joshua Peugh, the artistic director and co-founder of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance, is quickly transforming Texas into a site of experimentation with bold pieces that explore gay identity, among other relevant themes.
Originally founded in South Korea in 2010, Peugh has fearlessly led the Dallas branch of Dark Circles Contemporary Dance for several years with critically-acclaimed pieces, such as Bleachers in 2017. In 2015, Dance Magazine included him on their “25 to Watch” list. The New York Times hailed Peugh as “an important discovery” and Arts + Culture Texas noted that he’s “one of the most original artists of any discipline working in Texas today.” Now Peugh, along with several guest choreographers, will usher in seven world premieres for Dark Circles’ 2018-19 season.
In the fall, Dark Circles will premiere Aladdin, Habibi, based on the story “The History of Aladdin, or The Wonderful Lamp.” Choreographed by Peugh, this immersive piece is a “meditation on American rhetoric regarding the Middle East and the stereotypes associated with Middle Eastern races and cultures.” No stranger to politically charged choreography, the Dallas Morning News recognized Peugh’s Coyotes Tip-Toe (concerning the Orlando nightclub massacre) and Gal Friday (tackling women’s roles in the 20th century). In addition, an original score by composer Brandon Carson was commissioned for the piece.
For their Winter Series, Dark Circles with partner with WaterTower Theatre in Addison, Texas—the company’s residence for 2019—and produce three new pieces that explore gay identity in the United States, focusing on “coming out, gender, desire, relationships, sex, and other timely issues.” Three queer choreographers, Mark Caserta, Eoghan Dillon, and Mikey Morado, will create the pieces for a January premiere. Their Spring Series will include another world premiere piece by New York choreographer Sidra Bell, internationally renowned for her innovative dance-theatre pieces.
For more information on Dark Circles and the company’s 2018-19 season, visit darkcirclescontemporarydance.com.
