International multi-award winning producer/choreographer Sean McLeod and the critically acclaimed Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre joined the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge Friday, August 18 for a world premiere production entitled, "Of this Earth: A Walk with Nature." Directed and choreographed by Sean McLeod, the dance was a site-specific work performed outdoors near the refuge’s visitor center.

Sean McLeod, artistic director of the Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre and celebrated choreographer, accepted this commission that would have him explore and challenge the urbanite's reactions to nature as an alternative environment and transpose those challenges into movement. His work highlights the little contradictions, fears and unfamiliarities discovered by those unfamiliar with the conservation movement. The result introduced new possibilities of global acceptance, beautiful interaction with nature, and the potential greatness that comes with living wild and growing free. The collaboration brought new attention and an expanded audience to the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge, shifting perspectives on nature utilizing the protected site, dancers, and song.

The Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre is a professional modern dance company which celebrates life and cultural experiences through dance performances, theatrical production and community unifying events. Kaleidoscope Dance Theatre illustrates the abundant resources and enrichment which minority persons and people of color bring to our lives and community. Kaleidoscope’s host organization, the New York Institute of Dance and Education is an innovative performing arts organization which offers support services developed from performing arts based programming. The New York Institute of Dance and Education has a wide range of services for individuals, corporate entities, educational institutions and human service agencies which develop personality management, service delivery modules and successful team habits.

Funding for this project was made possible by Friends of the Montezuma Wetlands Complex.

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