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Kitt Johnson is a loner. Through her wide-ranging work with the language of choreography, a unique sense for space and stage effects plus her sublime body control, she has created a personal expression and sureness of style. This has placed her as one of the most respected Danish choreographers. Both in Denmark and internationally there is great interest for her distinctive artistic universe. Kitt Johnson is known as a major solo performer, although her work covers a wider spectrum. She has worked extensively with site-specific projects throughout Europe and, in recent years, has created a series of ensemble works, which have challenged her artistic vision. Kitt Johnson is artistic director of the company X-act. Since 1992 she has, with X-act, worked with the Swedish composer and musician Sture Ericson. Since 1997 other artists have been connected to the group, among these the light designer Mogens Kjempff and costume designer Charlotte Østergaard - both Danes - and the Greek born visual artist, performer and writer, Theofanis K. Melàs. Background Kitt Johnson was born in 1959. After 12 years of practicing elite sports, and a bachelor's degree in Sports from the University of Odense, she started dancing as a 24 year old. She took part in numerous workshops in Denmark as well as abroad within the fields of modern, new dance, contact improvisation, martial arts, German expressionistic theatre and butoh. As a dancer, performer and choreographer Kitt Johnson has worked with Mark Tompkins (F), Nobert Stockheim (D), Sacha Waltz (D), Anita Saij (DK) and Yumiko Yoshioka (D) among others. NETWORKS, AWARDS ETC. In 1999 Kitt Johnson received an award from The Danish Art Foundation and was nominated for a Reumert (award) for her solo work, Stigma. In 2003 another of Kitt Johnson's solo works - The Mirror - was nominated for and recieved the Reumert. She has also received numerous travel and work grants. In the 2002-2003 season Kitt Johnson was the choreographer-in-residence at Dansescenen, Copenhagen. In 2002-04 she is engaged as choreographer-in-residence at The University of Southern Denmark, Institute of Sports Science and Biomechanics. X-ACT PRESENTATION Since 1999 the Theatre Council in Denmark has supported the company regularly, which also means that the company has been able to set up a more permanent management structure. The performances of X-act have been shown in various contexts in Europe as well as North America, Australia, the Middle and Far East, and performances tour on a yearly basis. Kitt Johnson’s background is in elite athletics, modern and new dance, contact improvisation, martial arts and butoh. As a dancer, performer and choreographer she has worked with Mark Tompkins (F), Norbert Stockheim (D), Sacha Waltz (D), Anita Saij (DK) and Yumiko Yoshioka (D) among others. X-ACT ARTISTIC AIMS How to choreograph the energy field between spectator and performer so that the performance becomes more than just a dance on a stage? It is questions like these which, to a great extent, are the driving force behind my choreographic work. And the answers? They show themselves like glimpses of understanding. Of course it is a given that the dance ought not take place only in the dancer’s body and mind. On equal terms with the dancer also the sound, the light and the space need to be choreographed in order to support, or confront, the requirements of the particular performance. This, mereley to get closer to the intention. Kitt Johnson |
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For further information please contact Susanne Danig: Kitt Johnson X-act |
