Mariah Layne French
Ms. French crafts eclectic captivating dance in a signature jazz fusion style. Her expressive choreography emphasizes musicality and rhythm from an approach attuned to elements of contemporary dance (movement texture, weight, flow and dynamics). She explores topics at the core of human experience, tapping a wide range of subject matter and emotion. Her inspiration for movement is often drawn from the origins of jazz music and dance, and the forms that birthed and emerged from these movements (from the African diaspora to vernacular dance) with a deeply embedded appreciation for different time periods and cultures. Her eclectic choreography and diverse music selections stand out among contemporary dance, appealing to a broad cross-section of culture. The work is thoughtfully crafted with both aesthetic texture and a depth of thematic content. The aim of her work is to captivate the individual spirit while arousing the intellect, providing an appreciation for connections that can be made through dance, music & storytelling. She hopes her work might be an impetus for hope in the midst of an increasingly divided culture. Her intent through her art is to provide space for joy, contemplation, a conduit for discussion, deeper understanding and unity.
In 2007 Mariah founded Xclaim Dance Company, a group of artists she has nurtured through the years. This group has provided a primary canvas for her concepts and choreography. Mariah is often involved in all aspects of production, as her vision is holistic. She is also experienced in costuming and lighting design, music scoring / engineering, script and poetry writing. Xclaim has also been a platform to engage in the rich process of collaboration with artists of many other disciplines (musicians, story-tellers, actors, historians, poets, aerialists…) while making meaningful multifaceted dance-work. Her work with Xclaim has provided an opportunity to foster meaningful personal connections between dancers, while also elevating and propelling the participating artists more deeply into their careers.
In 2007 Mariah founded Xclaim Dance Company, a group of artists she has nurtured through the years. This group has provided a primary canvas for her concepts and choreography. Mariah is often involved in all aspects of production, as her vision is holistic. She is also experienced in costuming and lighting design, music scoring / engineering, script and poetry writing. Xclaim has also been a platform to engage in the rich process of collaboration with artists of many other disciplines (musicians, story-tellers, actors, historians, poets, aerialists…) while making meaningful multifaceted dance-work. Her work with Xclaim has provided an opportunity to foster meaningful personal connections between dancers, while also elevating and propelling the participating artists more deeply into their careers.
Choreography Samples:
BLUE LIKE JAZZ (2014 & 2022)
This street jazz work was created for BLUE in 2014 and then restaged by collaborator J.Shannon Filmore for 2021's FEEL IT. This footage is from the original. This work was Inspired by a quote from a memoir of the same title "Life is like jazz, it doesn't resolve". The concept, specifically elements of the duet were fleshed out through workshop with the other lead dancer, J.Shannon Filmore. Motifs were also created with each individual dancer to express their own interpretation of tension and how that most naturally was expressed in their body. So each staging was specific to the dancers who were cast.
This street jazz work was created for BLUE in 2014 and then restaged by collaborator J.Shannon Filmore for 2021's FEEL IT. This footage is from the original. This work was Inspired by a quote from a memoir of the same title "Life is like jazz, it doesn't resolve". The concept, specifically elements of the duet were fleshed out through workshop with the other lead dancer, J.Shannon Filmore. Motifs were also created with each individual dancer to express their own interpretation of tension and how that most naturally was expressed in their body. So each staging was specific to the dancers who were cast.
TILT & TURN (2018) excerpts Spring & Summer
Original concept, script & choreography inspired by the four seasons. I wrote poetry for Summer & Autumn, each featuring a different actor and representing a different stage of life. Spring text is from a traditional Easter Hymn by John Macleod Campbell Crum, While for Winter I selected a poem by Robert Frost that was performed along with movement by David Jon Krohn, company dancers and a guest aerialist. (I recruited veteran company members to craft movement for Autumn & Winter to help carry the work load, and that is why they are not featured) Photos of the full program can be found here.
Original concept, script & choreography inspired by the four seasons. I wrote poetry for Summer & Autumn, each featuring a different actor and representing a different stage of life. Spring text is from a traditional Easter Hymn by John Macleod Campbell Crum, While for Winter I selected a poem by Robert Frost that was performed along with movement by David Jon Krohn, company dancers and a guest aerialist. (I recruited veteran company members to craft movement for Autumn & Winter to help carry the work load, and that is why they are not featured) Photos of the full program can be found here.
OFF BEAT - ON POINTE (2019)
Excerpts from the work featured in the "Dance Dance Dance"
This quirky group jazz piece is based on a Shel Silverstein quote:
"Do a loony-goony dance 'cross the kitchen floor. Put something silly in the world that ain't been there before!" Color outside the lines. Bounce off the beaten path. There has never been another person like you. Let loose. Own it. Be YOU, Beautiful YOU!
Excerpts from the work featured in the "Dance Dance Dance"
This quirky group jazz piece is based on a Shel Silverstein quote:
"Do a loony-goony dance 'cross the kitchen floor. Put something silly in the world that ain't been there before!" Color outside the lines. Bounce off the beaten path. There has never been another person like you. Let loose. Own it. Be YOU, Beautiful YOU!
Spirituals II (2020-2022) Selected excerpts:
A Prophet & A Parable, Exodus, People in the Pews
SPIRITUALS II is a soulful narrative about overcoming a history of turmoil and injustice while ushering in new hope.
Movement is inspired by the African Diaspora and beyond. This original choreography was set to eclectic music selections.
The program was woven together with song by vocalist and story-teller Diane Ransom. This film rendition was filmed impromptu, in an effort to preserve the work, in just one take, after the scheduled live outdoor performance run was rained out that weekend. The film was released at a live screening and also online in the Spring 2022. Other choreographers from the company contributed to the overall work in specifically commissioned sections, but the work shown here is just my choreography.
A Prophet & A Parable, Exodus, People in the Pews
SPIRITUALS II is a soulful narrative about overcoming a history of turmoil and injustice while ushering in new hope.
Movement is inspired by the African Diaspora and beyond. This original choreography was set to eclectic music selections.
The program was woven together with song by vocalist and story-teller Diane Ransom. This film rendition was filmed impromptu, in an effort to preserve the work, in just one take, after the scheduled live outdoor performance run was rained out that weekend. The film was released at a live screening and also online in the Spring 2022. Other choreographers from the company contributed to the overall work in specifically commissioned sections, but the work shown here is just my choreography.
Building Bridges (2020-2021)
A site specific project filmed on the Main Street Bridge, rehearsed during the pandemic and filmed through freezing temperatures and high winds on a November day. The completed short film was shown at a screening event in March 2021 and made available to online viewers following.
In an increasingly divided culture, this work explored the concept of bias, trying on new perspectives and coming to greater understandings through empathy and building bridges of connection.
A site specific project filmed on the Main Street Bridge, rehearsed during the pandemic and filmed through freezing temperatures and high winds on a November day. The completed short film was shown at a screening event in March 2021 and made available to online viewers following.
In an increasingly divided culture, this work explored the concept of bias, trying on new perspectives and coming to greater understandings through empathy and building bridges of connection.
FEEL IT (2021) Selected excerpts:
Expressions, FEEL IT
Dancers and musicians survey emotion through music & movement of early 20th century jazz and beyond. A toe-tapping, relatable, feel-good to deep-feeling expression of humanity and artistic revelation. Expressions was staged with some improvisational elements to highlight the interplay between dancers and live musicians.
This section of FEEL IT is the only footage we have of the greater work. Regrettably we had some issues with technology and failed to capture it's full beauty. It was stunning in person. The contrast of the stark black and white, the physicality and articulation of the dancers, their breath, musculature, expression, are sadly missed in the diminished quality of this short clip. See archival photos of the work for more.
Expressions, FEEL IT
Dancers and musicians survey emotion through music & movement of early 20th century jazz and beyond. A toe-tapping, relatable, feel-good to deep-feeling expression of humanity and artistic revelation. Expressions was staged with some improvisational elements to highlight the interplay between dancers and live musicians.
This section of FEEL IT is the only footage we have of the greater work. Regrettably we had some issues with technology and failed to capture it's full beauty. It was stunning in person. The contrast of the stark black and white, the physicality and articulation of the dancers, their breath, musculature, expression, are sadly missed in the diminished quality of this short clip. See archival photos of the work for more.
FREQUENCY (2022) Selected excerpts:
fre·quen·cy (sections 2,4,5,6,7)
A contemplative new work exploring time, repetition, vibration and deeper human awareness featuring original commissioned music by Klaus Chamberlain, (Material from 5:30-7:30 is a guided improvisational section where the dancers were given specific cues, timing, motif, shapes, weight qualities, rules for contact, dynamics etc.)
fre·quen·cy (sections 2,4,5,6,7)
A contemplative new work exploring time, repetition, vibration and deeper human awareness featuring original commissioned music by Klaus Chamberlain, (Material from 5:30-7:30 is a guided improvisational section where the dancers were given specific cues, timing, motif, shapes, weight qualities, rules for contact, dynamics etc.)