Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s ‘Salem’ to feature original score by Seager

Submitted

With Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre’s (GHDT) theme of “Art in Motion” and also wanting to uplift and support local artists, musicians, and artisans, GHDT will feature original and specially commissioned scores alongside its own work.

GHDT is delighted to collaborate with emerging artist Seager for the creation of the music for Salem: This Time the Witch Hunt is Trending. The production will stage at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, and 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24, at The Tarkington in Carmel.

This new gothic ballet features an expanded cast with an exciting collaboration of GHDT and The Indianapolis Ballet Professional Training Program dancers. This one-act ballet takes place in a gothic American future, where a rigid order watches every move – where conformity is rewarded and whispers of bewitchment take the place of individuality and free thought, often leading to execution. In a world that is dominated by control, one young woman has the courage to raise her head and stare domination in the face. When all of the power, resources, and control lies in too few hands, can anyone ever truly live?

Salem is a cautionary tale of over-regulation and power unchecked, stocked with stark visuals, fantastic lighting, and amazing dancing.

Additionally, Seager will release the Salem Soundtrack on major streaming services starting Oct. 1. Audiences will have an opportunity to hear the original soundtrack before the concert.

Get your tickets to see Salem at TheCenterPresents.org or by calling the Box Office at (317) 843-3800.

Salem Concert Partner Dr. Anita Joshi and Dr. Arun Jain

About the composer for “Salem”
Seager is an artist, composer, and sound designer, originally from Northern Illinois, who began creating music through hip hop production. While earning a B.A. in Sound for the Performing Arts from Purdue University, Seager collaborated with Purdue Contemporary Dance Company to create several scores for original works, developing a passion for creating music that enhances movement and storytelling. Seager has also composed for several short films, including Albatross by Stella Brewer-Vartanian, and Rick Broadwater: Private Eye by Eric Haworth.

Outside of the performing arts, Seager writes, produces, and engineers music, with releases including the EPs Bittersweet and My Tears Have Consequences. Upcoming works include a debut full-length album, Songs From The Motel Swimming Pool, and original sound design for Elgin Community College’s production of The Man Who Came To Dinner.

About the composer for “Ophelia”

Also on the bill is the world premiere of Ophelia. Based on the doomed character from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, this piece uses original music by Cory Gabel and brings back a time-tested collaboration of Gabel’s music and Hancock’s choreography and artistic impulses. Ophelia takes the audience on a journey of madness and lush beauty. A story that reflects tragedy, rejection, and the sadness and desolation that possesses this character in a tour de force of stunning dance. Another world premiere that pairs the choreographic story-telling talents of Hancock and a compelling score by Composer, Cory Gabel.

From his early days as an indie-band frontman in Los Angeles, Gabel has evolved from pianist to producer, from songwriter to storyteller, carving a path through instrumental albums and modern dance scores, including the acclaimed The Casket Girls and the groundbreaking Antony & Cleopatra, along with collaborations across film and theater. His music fuses the dynamic edge of alternate rock with the atmospheric sensibilities of minimalist and cinematic composition.

Gabel also brings a bold twist to the acoustic stage, blending guitar and piano with a voice rooted in the edge of post-modern rock and the spirit of the ‘80s, ‘90s, and beyond. Gabel’s sets move between originals and reimagined covers from artists like U2, The Cure, Radiohead, Sinead O’Connor, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters, creating a performance that’s both raw and resonant.

Collaboratively, Gabel and Hancock make a dynamic team. Bringing ideas and scenarios to one another; consulting and creating on storyline ideas and breakdowns, character arcs, concepts and more; the duo have worked together to create some of GHDT’s most iconic works in recent history.

Ophelia will premiere in the GHDT season opener, Oct. 23 and 24, at The Tarkington.