24 Caprices
Choreographer
John Heginbotham
Composer
Niccolò Paganini, 24 Caprices for Solo Violin
Musician
Colin Jacbosen, violin
Costume Design & Video Editor
Maile Okamura
Videographer
Angelo Vasta
Rehearsal Director
Amber Star Merkens
Performers
1-8 dancers
Run Time:
4-9 minutes per film
In spring 2020, Dance Heginbotham launched an ambitious video project, 24 Caprices, driven by the desire to continue to collaborate, connect, and advance John Heginbotham’s creative vision at a time of physical isolation. Using Niccolo Paganin’s 24 Caprices for Solo Violin as a launching point, Heginbotham joined forces with violinist Colin Jacobsen to explore the caprices' delightful, dark, and melancholic turns in short dance films. Each caprice is a captivating jewel, rhythmically intricate and varied in range, capturing a moment in time.
24 Caprices is made possible in part by the National Center for Choreography at University of Akron (NCCAkron). Caprices #1 and #2 were commissioned by Works & Process at The Guggenheim. Caprices #5 and #6 were commissioned by Hopkins Center for the Arts at Dartmouth College. Caprice #7 was commissioned by the Performing Arts Center at Purchase College. Caprices #8 and #9 were commissioned by ALL ARTS.
Special thanks to USDAN Camp for the Arts, Baryshnikov Arts Center, and Party Plus (Bermuda).
Choreography for Caprice #1 is by John Heginbotham in collaboration with Lindsey Jones.
Caprice 1: Jump Rope
The inaugural vignette of the series was inspired by the featured dancer Lindsey Jones’ real-life quest to find community in isolation through the establishment of a neighborhood "Jump Rope Club." Set to violinist Colin Jacobsen’s performance and edited by Maile Okamura, Jump Rope is an ode to those early days of the pandemic.
Caprice 3: Bridge
While violinist Colin Jacobsen is visible in Caprices 1 and 2, Caprice 3: Bridge ushers him fully into the series. Bridge was filmed above the night traffic of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway.
Caprice 5: Verrazano and Caprice 6: Deep Feet
Fast and intensely energized, Caprice 5: Verrazano takes place in NYC’s Shore Line Park. As CDC guidelines opened to allow for small gatherings, Verrazano became the largest in-person cast up to that point. Videographer, editor, costume designer, and dancer Maile Okamura is the protagonist in Caprice 6: Deep Feet, dancing alone in the deep end of an empty pool.
Caprice 8: Air Plant
Air plant - this phenomenon was unknown to John Heginbotham until filming. Shot within the beloved Baryshnikov Art Center, the home of Dance Heginbotham's birth, the creative team were struck by an air plant living in the structure of the dance studio. Technology allowed the team to place Colin Jacobsen, violinist, in this tiny, glorious space
Caprice 2: Zoom
Inspired by the work of Australian YouTube video artist and comedian, HowToBasic, Caprice 2 leans into the absurdity of the web camera medium. Featuring self-filmed performances from eight Dance Heginbotham dancers and violinist Colin Jacobsen, the piece culminates in a chaotic collage of graphics and images.
Caprice 4: Wolf
Incorporating elements of collage and surrealism, Caprice 4: Wolf is focused on having fun with pandemic isolation. Choreographer John Heginbotham makes his first appearance in the series.
Caprice 7: Party Plus
The first international episode, Caprice 7: Party Plus was filmed in Bermuda, the home of DH dancer Courtney Lopes. Courtney's family owns a party supply store on the island, and Party Plus takes place within the establishment. The piece culminates when Courtney releases several helium balloons to carry the party to Brooklyn, New York City.
Caprice 9: Hunter/Hunted
This Caprice follows the sewn-together identities of Colin Jacobsen, violinist, and actor/dancer, Daniel Pettrow. Both identities - and artists - have fun within a set comprised of artificial theater flats, intended for very young citizens of the stage...until things move into the natural world. The Hunt is witnessed by a child, Mimi Jacobsen.