ARENA DANCES is a modern dance company performing the work of Mathew Janczewski. The work is abstract in form, giving shape to emotions, exploring the depths and the limits of what drives us as humans to connect, to break away, to survive. Just as our emotions can veer wildly, ARENA incorporates a highly kinetic style of movement, a sweeping physicality that takes in a broad range of feelings and the posturings we may make to protect ourselves in the world. The work springs first from Mathew’s own experiences; then, through the movement and structure, ARENA seeks to find a form to give those experiences both truth and commonality.

ARENA works with a full-time company of four of the area’s brightest young talents and stages two concerts each year, in the fall and spring. In 2006, the Walker Art Center commissioned Ugly, developed over 18 months with designers and collaborative artists (including electronic music/multimedia pioneer, Morton Subotnick). In 2008, ARENA brought in the “rock star” string quartet Ethel for its Dancin’ with Ethel concert at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis, followed by performances at The Joyce SoHo in New York City. In 2011 ARENA premiered two major Janczewski works — I hate myself. Will you please love me?, a full-length work based on The Carpenters, and Matador. ARENA DANCES recently completed its 16th season in the Twin Cities with three world premieres and two repertory favorites at The Cowles Center for Dance & the Performing Arts.

In addition to its concerts, ARENA DANCES hosts INstinct intensive workshops for dancers and conducts innovative dance residencies in Twin Cities area schools.

DANCERS: Jacob Melczer, Renee Starr, Sarah Steichen and Timmy Wagner