On June 4th, Roxey Ballet will partner with the YWCA Princeton Breast Cancer Resource Center, Grounds for Sculpture, Princeton Photography Club, D&R Greenway, and Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton Foundation for a performance of We vs. C: Personal Stories of Triumph.
We vs. C: Personal Stories of Triumph is a world premiere of dance, music, art and theater celebrating the lives of breast cancer survivors. Created through interviews with 22 strong women, it is a song-cycle/ballet conceived and created by Mark Roxey with original music by songwriting team Robert Maggio (music) and Matthew Hardy (lyrics), and original choreography by Mark Roxey.
“I’m honored and touched to produce a project like this that celebrates the lives of breast cancer survivors and all who are facing the challenge of any kind of cancer,” said Mark Roxey, choreographer and executive artistic director of Roxey Ballet.
At least 10 of the survivors will share the stage during the performance with the professional dancers of Roxey Ballet. The dancers will be accompanied by live music, performed by Gina Milo, Desirée Rodriguez and Aurelia Williams.
The project began in March 2016, when Mark Roxey participated in a discussion with administrative members of the Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Hamilton Foundation and the YWCA Breast Cancer Research Center of Princeton. The talk focused on how Roxey Ballet might collaborate with breast cancer survivors to help them regain confidence and a sense of their new bodies after surgery. Last August, the survivors told their stories at Roxey Ballet’s Canal Studio Theatre.
On June 4th, it will finally come together during two inspiring performances.
“This production celebrates the lives of 22 women, but over 300,000 women each year receive a cancer diagnosis. It’s universal to all of us. It’s a performance that reaches out to everyone,” said Mark Roxey. “The art of dance is at its best when you are able to create meaning, when you can do something much greater than the single word ‘dance’. That is what Roxey Ballet is all about.”
Performances will be held at Grounds for Sculpture. Tickets are $100 and include admission to Grounds for Sculpture, the performance, and a reception. Seating is limited. Tickets must be purchased in advance. To purchase tickets and learn more about the event, visit www.roxeyballet.org/we-vs-c and www.rwjuhhfoundation.org.
