Irene Watson

Irene Watson is a dancer, costume designer, and contemporary choreographer based in Orange County, California. She has performed nationally with the Disney company and regionally with modern choreographers including Ashley Dragon, Amythyst Fritzler and Estela McNaughton. Watson’s choreography has been set on every type of mover from professional to novice, including children, adults and the occasional puppet.

Inspired by interactions she observes in the world around her, Watson’s choreography showcases a variety of human emotions whether it be through dramatic modern technique or comedic ballet variations.

Watson has training in ballet, modern, tap, jazz and improvisation from teachers such as Nanette Brodie, Shana Menaker, Teresa Avina, Christine Baltes, Laurie Hirschl, Amelie Hunter and Linda Sohl-Ellison. She has taken several modern workshops from artists such as Keith Johnson of Keith Johnson/Dancers, Holly Johnston of Ledges and Bones, Maria Gillespie of Oni Dance, Jones Welsh of Not a Man Apart. Watson has also taken Countertechnique workshops with master teacher Nina Wollney, Phillipe Freck and Kira Blazek.

Watson’s collection of dance works is vast and varied and has been featured in several venues in Southern California. Watson has showcased her company at the Muckenthaller Cultural Center in Fullerton, the Friends/Family Dance Festival in Pasadena, MixMatch Dance Festival in Santa Monica, the OC Market Place in Santa Ana, and Dance Bistro at the Carpenter Center in Long Beach.

Watson’s choreographic goal is to make her pieces something the audience can relate to, whether it be absurd or humbling. Without over-analyzing the meaning behind the movement, Watson hopes for the audience to simply respond to the dance they observe. Watson ventures to make the audience notice their initial reactions, whether the movement generates confusion, joy, terror or questions.

Company Website: WatsonDance.org

Information Provided by Irene Watson

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Categorized as: ARTIST, Artistic Director, Choreographer, Contemporary, Costume Designer, Modern