by Catherine L. Tully
This week, Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Spring Series will feature a world premiere from choreographer Alejandro Cerrudo—Little mortal jump.
Cerrudo has the distinction of being named Hubbard Street’s first Resident Choreographer—a title he has held since 2009. His works are performed in dance companies around the world and he was recently honored with an award from The Boomerang Fund for Artists.
The choreographer took the time to share some thoughts with us regarding his latest piece, which is his 10th work for the company.
How would you describe your new work, Little mortal jump?
Little mortal jump consists of twelve very different pieces of music carefully put together and I have attempted to create a cohesive whole with them. This new work is a study on ever-changing moods and twists and finishes in a very different place than where it starts. This piece features some of the most complex partnering I have ever created.
Can you talk a little bit about your choreographic process? How did you go about creating this piece in particular?
My process is different each time I approach a new work, but I usually start by choosing the music and then imagining an atmosphere. For Little mortal jump I had an idea for each section that I then developed further. I have also used the dancers to bring in new ideas. I always adjust my concepts to each individual dancer that I work with rather than imposing my ideas regardless of the dancer and their abilities.
How did you select the music, and what relationship does it have to the choreography?
I am always listening to music. It is my pastime. When I feel inspired by a specific piece, I start to imagine what I would do with it or how I would use it. Music is very important in all of my works. Only on very rare occasions do I actually only use music as a soundscape.
What did you enjoy most about choreographing this new piece?
For this piece I have used moments from my older works that are visually very different and have fused them together to create this new choreography. I have enjoyed allowing myself to be directly influenced by my past work and have created something very new – something that can coexist on stage together.
What do you think the greatest challenge is for you as a choreographer?
One of the greatest challenges is to make something that no one has ever seen before – and make it well.
Hubbard Street Dance Chicago’s Spring Series takes place March 15th – 18th at the Harris Theater. In addition to Little mortal jump, the program also features Israeli choreographer Sharon Eyal’s piece Too Beaucoup and LINES Ballet artistic director Alonzo King’s piece Following the Subtle Current Upstream.
