Press
Generosity
There was a community of writers, and publications, that were an incredible support to this journey, working as archivists of the work, helping to get the word out about events through preview articles and such. I am profoundly grateful for the great beauty and much happiness these publications brought and the inspiration they helped engender. While it is true, I never won any major international awards.
I often combed through old newspaper articles, for information about my Hawaiian grandfather, and his travelling exploits, and I thought, perhaps one day, in the family line there will be another person who devotes their life to theater.
I want you to know, I will be with you, and all lovers of dance, as my performing grandfather and other ancestors were with me. I will be in the little nudge, and the little prompts, and the little miracles along the way. You are loved, you are supported, and I believe in you. Just be you! Nobody else, just you. Work hard, pursue excellence, and be the change you wish for the world. With so much love!
photo by Am Wu, in my SonneBlauma days.
Misa Miele Mandigo Kelly
Press & Audience Quotes
PRESS
“Perfect dance poetics with sophisticated movement vocabulary”
Parada Plesa, Slovenia’s dance magazine
“She has a wonderful sense of composition and comedic timing, combined with a clarity of statement. Kelly’s work has the feel of performance art, but it is more than that. If I had to put a label on Kelly’s work, it would be dance/performance art.”
Jeff Slayton, SEE Dance
“Kelly is an experienced performance artist and a seasoned performer who brings life to Karlin through her acting and being comfortable working with props. She is Alma Karlin in one scene and then beautifully performs musically on brass bowls, a gourd, rocks in a jar and with her own vocals as Trina Mannino dances....the choreography by Stephen Kelly, Misa Kelly and Trina Mannino is beautifully structured”
Jeff Slayton, SEE Dance
“Kelly, a woman slight in stature, proved an overwhelming and formidable presence on stage in her work which used her own vocalizations in a psychological journey.”
Steven Woodruff- Dance Plug
“Kelly’s pieces – especially Nadar Sabe Mi Llama el Agua Fria – explored the coexistence of athletic genius and disability in the same body, while maintaining an insistence on aesthetic appeal.”
Rebecca Joley - L.A. Yoga Magazine
“Under No Certain Circumstance” by SonneBlauma Danscz Theatre of Santa Barbara, danced by Misa Kelly and Weslie Ching, was an audience favorite. There was no accompanying music and the grunts and sounds of the two dancers offered a comedic air to a dance that expressed anger, frustration, and cooperation.”
Barbara Ransom – Life in L.A.
“At once tragic and heroic, innocent and all-knowing, the persona Kelly presented here was as fascinating as the piece was gorgeously multilayered”
Justine Sutton - Noozhawk
“The work “stood out for” for its “deep & honest exploration of what it is to be human...a gutsy searching solo”
Elizabeth Schwyzer - Santa Barbara Independent
“Surprisingly subtle choreography against feats of athleticism”
Elizabeth Schwyzer - Santa Barbara Independent
“Striking and surreal in most places, it was as playful as the fun of its cut-up music... The evening was like a good mixed tape made by a friend who wants to turn you on to the newest in new. Consider that mission accomplished."
Ted Mills - Santa Barbara News Press
“Astonishingly gifted”
Santa Barbara News Press
“The result was electric”
Elizabeth Schwyzer - Santa Barbara Independent
“A witty piece by Kelly set on a larger group that involved dancers of all ages. Against a dramatic soundscape created by the choreographer, dancers interacted playfully with chairs, the audience, and each other, filling the black-box space with teasing humor and a sense of freedom.”
Charles Donelan - Santa Barbara Independent
"Misa Kelly and Joanna Nobbe’s vulnerable and riotously funny “Unzipped,"
Elizabeth Schwyzer, The Independent
AUDIENCE
“You have what the rest of us are hoping to find.”
Peggy Baker, Choreographer
“Your performance was riveting. It held me from the beginning until the end” BeBe Miller, Choreographer
"Profound” – Delila Mosley, Director UCSB Student Company, Owner Montecito School of Ballet
“Epic” – Valerie Huston, Ballet Faculty, UCSB
“Cathartic” – Karsen Gould, Artistic Director, Arts for Humanity
"Fresh, authentic & wild" – Elaine Nakashima, Massage Therapist & Dancer
“You have become a master of the non-sequiter” – E. Bonnie Lewis, Drama Dogs, a Theater Company
“What I love about your work, is how you continue to evolve. What I see others doing tonight, you were doing twenty years ago, you are on an entirely new trajectory right now.” – Christine Boesch
“Crazy wicked genius” – Steven Soria, Make SmithTM Leather
“That was the bravest work I’ve witnessed in a long time” – Kathee Miller, Professor at Pacifica Graduate Institute, Photographer
Press 2011-2014 - for 2014 ODG.docx2011 Press - Future Traditions Foundation.pdf2015 Press Collated.pdfFoundation Press-2003-2010.pdf2015
Onstage: Dance Scene Buzz
http://www.newspress.com/Top/Article/article.jsp?Section=SCENE&ID=567083890313920574&Archive=true
The Hive Premieres 12 New Dance Works
http://www.independent.com/news/2014/oct/30/hive-premieres-12-new-dance-works/
La Dance Review
http://ladancereview.com/2014/09/03/8th-annual-mixmatch-dance-festival-saturday-aug-30-2014/
2014
Newspapers
Europe
ArtBarker Mojca Majcen discusses the La Combadura Residency and the Alma Karlin Project
East Coast
New York Times Listing - BAAD Boogie Down Dance Series
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/02/arts/dance/dance-listings-for-may-2-8.html?_r=1
New York Times Preview - in the context of BAAD
West Coast
Review: Kinesis at Center Stage Theater
S.B.’s Annual Contemporary Dance Showcase Took Place Friday, February 21
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
by ELIZABETH SCHWYZER
http://www.independent.com/news/2014/feb/26/review-kinesis-center-stage-theater/
Preview: Kinesis Sets Out to Stimulate
Contemporary Dance Show at Center Stage
Thursday, February 20, 2014
by ELIZABETH SCHWYZER
http://www.independent.com/news/2014/feb/20/kinesis-sets-out-stimulate/
NECTAR and the Art of Healing
Quarterly Arts Salon Gives Back
Thursday, March 6, 2014
by ELIZABETH SCHWYZER
http://www.independent.com/news/2014/mar/06/nectar-and-art-healing/
2013
Newspapers
East Coast
Dance Listings for May 24-30
Published: May 23, 2013
New York Times Listing
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/24/arts/dance/dance-listings-for-may-24-30.html?_r=0
The Brooklyn Paper
Published: May 24th, 2013
Titanic Steps
By SAMANTHA LIM
Print Publication
A preview for the opening event of the ADaPT Festival 2013
West Coast
Santa Barbara Independent
Art Bark International Presents Minty
Fresh Dance and Physical Theater Come to Yoga Soup
Published: Thursday October 31, 2013
by ELIZABETH SCHWYZER
http://www.independent.com/news/2013/oct/31/art-bark-international-presents-emmintyem/
A Review of ADaPT Fest 2013
Dance and Physical Theater Festival at Center Stage
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
by ELIZABETH SCHWYZER
http://www.independent.com/news/2013/jul/31/review-adapt-fest-2013/
Santa Barbara Independent
Dance, Physical Theater, and More
ADaPT Fest Back
Published: Wednesday, July 24, 2013
by ELIZABETH SCHWYZER
http://www.independent.com/news/2013/jul/24/dance-physical-theater-and-more/
Blogs & Online Publications
East Coast
The Dance Enthusiast
A Postcard from ArtBark International and Friends
http://www.dance-enthusiast.com/features/view/493
West Coast
Dancing Poetess: Blog
Review: ADaPT Festival 2013, Program Jules
Published: July 28, 2013
By BETH MEGILL
http://dancingpoetess.blogspot.com/2013/07/review-adapt-festival-2013-program-jules.html
Dancing Poetess: Blog
Review: ADaPT Festival 2013, Program Arthur
Published: July 28, 2013
By BETH MEGILL
http://dancingpoetess.blogspot.com/2013/07/blog-post.html
L.A. Weekly
Five Dance Shows to See in L.A. This Week
Published: Thu., Jul. 25 2013
By ANN HASKINS
Categories: Dance, Dance Shows to See
http://blogs.laweekly.com/arts/2013/07/national_dance_day.php
Dancing Poetess: Blog
Review: 7th Annual MixMatch Festival rundown
Published: August 25th, 2013
By BETH MEGILL
http://dancingpoetess.blogspot.com/2013/08/7th-annual-mixmatch-dance-festival.html
2012
INTERNATIONAL
GIFT Magazine, Austrian Theater Magazine
Austria meets California at Raw Matters Adapt Special - pages 34-35
Article pertaining to the second in the ADaPT Fest series which sprouted in Vienna, Austria. We are presented as a part of the "alternative scene" next to an article about ImPulsTantz
NATIONAL
Cal Arts Alumni Magazine Artist Profile of Misa Kelly By Freddie Sharmini
AFFINITY PROJECT - AFFINITY FEST
Santa Barbara Independent
Dance Festival of the Week: Affinity III
Annual Event Promotes Artistic Collaboration
preview by Elizabeth Schwyzer
Santa Barbara Independent
Affinity III, at Various Locations
Mini Dance Festival Brought Artists Together from Across U.S.
Review by Elizabeth Schwyzer
NOOZHAWK
Review: NECTAR Collaboration Exhibits ‘Affinity’ for Dance
Review by Justine Sutton
Santa Barbara News Press
ON STAGE: The Lab of Collaboration - Art Bark's Affinity Fest Is the Soul of Artistic Sharing
Preview by Ted Mills
Link to pay per view article
AFFINITY PROJECT - AFFINITY I
Santa Barbara News Press
Affinity: SB-ADaPT Fest Sprouts
ONSTAGE: Sayonara SonneBlauma, Hello ArtBark - Co-Artistic Directors Misa and Stephen Kelly are mellowing a little, but don't expect them to retire from a life in the arts anytime soon
By Dan Kepl
Link to pay per view article
"Last year, SonneBlauma Danscz Theatre co-founders Misa and Stephen Kelly, had an idea: send an email to the world, inviting dance and physical theater artists to come to Santa Barbara — at their own expense — for what was dubbed A Dance and Physical Theatre (ADaPT) Festival. Never underestimate the power of the internet, or the nearly indefatigable energy of the Kellys, nor the impression our little paradise on the Pacific has on the outside world. Last year's ADaPT Fest was huge, drawing artists from throughout the U.S. and Europe to Santa Barbara for several shows at various venues around town"
Santa Barbara Independent
A Review of SonneBlauma’s Final Show
Review by Elizabeth Schwyzer
Santa Barbara Independent
Affinity: SB-ADaPT Fest Sprouts
Preview by Elizabeth Schwyzer
2011
INAUGURAL SB-ADAPT FEST
Santa Barbara Independent
SB-ADaPT Festival at Center Stage Theater
Dance Meets Physical Theater from All Over on Sunday, June 19
Review by Charles Donelon
"The inaugural SB-ADaPT Festival took over Center Stage Theater last weekend with two full programs—Alpha and Omega—that brought together dance and physical theater companies from as far away as Istanbul and as close by as Long Beach to create a magical atmosphere of excitement and aesthetic adventure. Organized in a thoroughly grassroots manner by dancer/choreographer Misa Kelly, SB-ADaPT contributed not only a beautifully executed set of programs to the community but also an example of how much can be accomplished on a small budget by like-minded artists willing to take chances and engage in genuine international exchange."
Santa Barbara Independent
Experimental Artists Converge on Santa Barbara
Preview by Elizabeth Schwyzer!
Santa Barbara News Press
Review by Daniel Kepl
pay per view article
Santa Barbara News-Press
Cover of Scene Magazine
Preview BY DANIEL KEPL, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
pay per view article
Santa Barbara News-Press
Preview by Daniel Kepl
pay per view article
Santa Barbara News Press
Preview by Daniel Kepl
pay per view article
3 Cities: 3 Choreographers Project
Three California Choreographers Collaborate, Strength in Numbers - by Elizabeth Schwyzer (Independent)
Getting three for one: Delightful selection of choreographer's recent works
TED MILLS, NEWS-PRESS CORRESPONDENT
"The evening was like a good mixed tape made by a friend who wants to turn you on to the newest in new. Consider that mission accomplished."
3 Cities: 3 Choreographers - by Rebecca Joley (LA Yoga)
"Kelly’s pieces – especially Nadar Sabe Mi Llama el Agua Fria – explored the coexistence of athletic genius and disability in the same body, while maintaining an insistence on aesthetic appeal."
FEATURE ARTICLES
Up Close With Misa Kelly: A Choreographer with a Mission - by Elizabeth Schwyzer (Independent)
Art Unframed - by Felicia Tomasko (Independent)
ADDITIONAL PREVIEWS AND REVIEWS
Audience Participation Encouraged - by Elizabeth Schwyzer (Independent)
New Works in Dance at Center Stage - by Charles Donelan (Independent)
Kinesis at Center Stage - by Elizabeth Schwyzer (Santa Barbara Independent)
"Beneath the hot stage lights, 11 dancers march in unison. They wear knee pads and bike shorts. One girl sports a short kilt. A boy wears a white dress shirt unbuttoned; a skinny red tie hangs from his bare neck. Bright paint streaks their faces, and as they march, they confront the audience, chanting: “Taka taka taka taka!”
A slender young man breaks away from the group. In a lacy blouse and white gloves, he’s gorgeous and ghostly, his poses suggesting feminine seduction. A moment later, he’s whisked back into the tribe.
The dance is “Flint,” created by Misa Kelly for a group of Santa Barbara City College (SBCC) dance students, and it represents a shift for the Dance Alliance’s annual showcase. In its new incarnation asKinesis, the showcase formerly known as New Works aims to include a broader swath of the community’s dancers and choreographers. This year marks the first time SBCC students have been able to take part, as well as the first time Kelly has set work on them, and the result was electric."
The Fourth Annual Mix-Match Festival - by Steven Woodruff (Dance Plug)
"Here are some of the (festival) highlights...Kelly, a woman slight in stature, proved an overwhelming and formidable presence on stage in her work which used her own vocalizations in a psychological journey. In the end she retreats into blackness with a series of looming balances. It was slightly terrifying."
Dancing Out Loud - by Justine Sutton (Noozhawk)
"Misa Kelly choreographed and performed “Ranunculus,” a solo set to a mix of eclectic music and vocalizations.
Kelly is clearly a highly-trained and accomplished dancer, and yet unlike many, she is also capable of projecting great expression. Between frenzied moments of leaping and tossing her body about wildly while making guttural sounds in her throat, she would pause and give the audience such an arch look over her shoulder that the texture of the piece immediately deepened. Some dance tells a story, some is abstract. This piece seems to present an abstract story, dreamlike — but one of those odd dreams where lots of strange, disjointed things happen and you’re afraid if you tell anyone about it, you might sound kind of crazy. Perhaps it is an embodiment of the subconscious mind, with all its twists and turns. At once tragic and heroic, innocent and all-knowing, the persona Kelly presented here was as fascinating as the piece was gorgeously multilayered."
www.socal.com
MixMatch Festiva1 2011
Under No Certain Circumstances
"An Audience Favorite"
Barbara Ransom