In Studio: In Process with Rena Butler

We are thrilled to welcome Rena to the SFDanceworks family. For her world premiere, Rena is exploring themes of human transformation;

“The ambiguity of presentation versus embodiment as one animal masquerades as another suggests a hybrid of nature and nurture - a species in transition. What intertwines, twists, folds to delve into a realm where humans, animals, and nature cross-breed, adapting to changes in climate, environment, resources, and perhaps technology.”

Join us an intimate look into Rena's studio process, as she generates material with the dancers; and may invite audience contribution. This is a rare and unique way to be immersed in and a part of the creation process. Wine and light bites offered.

Rena is a recipient of the prestigious 2019 Princess Grace Foundation Award for Choreography and created works for the National Ballet of Canada, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Parsons Dance, Charlotte Ballet, Boston Dance Theater, Ballet X, Oregon Ballet Theater, Oklahoma City Ballet, the Lyric Opera of Chicago, Parsons Dance Company, Pony Box Dance Theater, AIM by Kyle Abraham, Whim W'Him, Norrdans, San Francisco Opera’s Orpheus and Euridice, The New Orleans Museum of Modern Art in collaboration with Academy Award-Winning jazz composer, Terrence Blanchard, CHTV Stories television program in Switzerland, a film portrait for Third Coast Percussion x Devonté Hynes/Blood Orange, The Young Choreographer’s Festival in NYC, The Juilliard School, Jacob's Pillow Contemporary Summer Program, The Ailey/Fordham School, TEDxChicago Virtual Salon 3.0: Design Your Life, and more. She has been spotlighted in Dance Magazine’s On The Rise feature in 2013, and the featured cover story in Dance Magazine’s November 2021 issue.

This will be the first of two In Process: In Studio events with Rena July 14th, and In studio with Bryan Arias July 20th. Attend both to see the process evolve at a discounted price!

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Smuin Contemporary Ballet | Smuin Center for Dance, 1830 17th Street, San Francisco, United States