Anaïs Nin: Unbound

“Drives & Elevates”

- LA Weekly

“A Dynamic Presence”

“Brilliant & Daring”

- Discover Hollywood

“A Smashing Show”

- Stage Raw

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“We don't see things as they are, we see them as we are.”

“We write to taste life twice, in the moment and in retrospect.”

“How wrong is it for a woman to expect the man to build the world she wants, rather than to create it herself?”

“Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage.”

“I hate men who are afraid of women's strength.”

“Music melts all the separate parts of our bodies together.”

“There are two ways to reach me: by way of kisses or by way of the imagination. But there is a hierarchy: the kisses alone don't work.”

"You have a right to experiment with your life.

You will make mistakes. And they are right too."

“I reserve the right to love many different people at once,

and to change my prince often.”

“Age does not protect you from love.

But love, to some extent, protects you from age.”

“I take pleasure in my transformations. I look quiet and consistent, but few know how many women there are in me.”

“I am aware of being in a beautiful prison,

from which I can only escape by writing.”

Anaïs Nin: Unbound (formerly Anaïs, A Dance Opera), created by composer/lyricist Cindy Shapiro and director/choreographer Janet Roston incorporates music, dance and visual projections into a cutting edge stage production that explores and illuminates the riveting life of famed diarist and literary figure Anaïs Nin and her world of words, sex, passion and creativity.

Anaïs Nin: Unbound celebrates Nin’s story as one of personal and artistic triumph which continues to influence the world today. Sensuous, probing, compelling and thought provoking, the production is presented with one live female vocalist as Eternal Anaïs supported by six dancers who, with projections, tell the absorbing life story of Anaïs Nin. The dancers bring the controversial author to life in a production that shatters stage conventions in the same way Nin herself violated literary and societal expectations.

Cindy Shapiro’s lyrics and music, with Janet Roston’s intricate choreography and direction, and deeply engaging visual projections by designer Joe LaRue, weave Nin’s story, intertwining excerpts from her diaries and her groundbreaking erotica. The dancers and vocalist unveil the author’s journey of self-discovery which took her from a naïve young housewife into the café society of Paris, where she emerged as an important literary figure during the 1930s, through her life in the United States during and after World War II, to her death and its aftermath in the 1970s. These adventures of self-exploration led the author through numerous simultaneous relationships, bigamy, and grand deceptions which she kept track of using what she called her “Lie Box.” Nin believed in living her life as freely as a man and for that she was chastised after her death. Her legacy is currently being revived, she is revered as a multifaceted, multidimensional woman who created her own heat and became her own sun.

The music and lyrics by Cindy Shapiro, an artist-in-residence at Cité International des Arts and a Tides Grant recipient, blend classical contemporary layering with a rock sensibility. The choreography by Janet Roston, an Ovation Award-winning choreographer, is contemporary with sections inspired by vintage dance. Joe LaRue’s projections amaze and enlighten. The result of their collaboration is sonically compelling, kinetic and full of visual surprises.

Anaïs Nin: Unbound has the support of the Anaïs Nin Trust and Nin’s publisher, Paul Herron. It is designed to tour easily with no sets, limited costumes and props and all music except lead vocal on track. The production premiered at the Greenway Court Theatre in Los Angeles, played to sold-out crowds and extended it’s run to accommodate demand. It was produced by Mixed eMotion Theatrix.

Cindy Shapiro

(Composer/Librettist)

Cindy Shapiro is a multi-faceted artist with a rich musical history. She was a rock singer in New York City, and has toured the world with Video Games Live, a symphonic show of music from Video Games. She has sung with some of the greatest symphonies in the world, including the LA Phil and the London Philharmonia Orchestra. She toured Japan with the Roger Wagner Chorale, and was a Cantor at Wilshire Boulevard Temple in Los Angeles. She sings on video game, television and film soundtracks.

Cindy was an artist-in-residence at Cité Internationale des Arts where she composed an opera based on the Psyche myth. She is a recipient of a $25,000 art grant from the Tides Foundation for her Psyche opera.

Cindy spent many years as a game developer, specializing in interactive fiction and human behavior modeling. She has also been a software engineer and music teacher.

Janet Roston

(Director/Choreographer)

Janet Roston is the Director/Choreographer of Anaïs Nin: Unbound which premiered in Los Angeles and will be performed at the Festival Off d’Avignon. As Director/Choreographer of theater her work includes Midsummer Night for the Tennessee Shakespeare Company, Striking 12 ( Laguna Playhouse), Tonya and Nancy, The Rock Opera (ART, Boston), CarnEvil (Sacred Fools Theater), shAme, (King King Nightclub) and The Wanting (Highways). Janet recently created choreography for the hit production, The Boy From Oz (Celebration Theatre) for which she received her second Ovation Award (LA’s top theater award) for choreography as well as the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award (LADCC). Janet created choreography for The Color Purple, (Celebration Theatre) receiving the Ovation Award, NAACP Award and LADCC Nomination. Additional choreography: Justin Love, (Celebration Theatre, LADCC Award); Once On this Island, (International City Theater, NAACP Nomination); Avenue X, (Odyssey Theater Ovation Award Nom.); Psyche, A Modern Rock Opera, (Greenway Court Theater) and Failure, A Love Story (Coeurage Theater, Ovation Nom., CTG’s Block Party ’17). Her work was awarded at the Palm Desert Choreography Festival and selected for the L.A and Pasadena Dance Festivals. She has received two American Choreography Awards, is a proud alumni of the Directors Lab.

Joe LaRue

(Dramaturg/Projection Designer)

Joe is a stage/film director, video editor, photographer, graphic designer, and projection designer. His short films Adobo, Loaded, and Thanksgiving have screened at festivals including the Boulder International Film Festival, D.C. Asian Pacific American Film Festival, Philadelphia Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, and the Long Island Gay & Lesbian Film Festival. He is the editor of the Nigerian romantic comedy feature film When Love Happens, which was one of Nigeria's top grossing films of 2014. He has also edited festival favorite shorts Just Like the Movies (Indie Spirit Film Festival, Las Vegas Intl. Film Festival) and Miss Miao (Dances With Films Festival, Austin Gay and Lesbian Film Festival, Melbourne Gay and Lesbian Film Festival). Projection design credits include Striking 12 (Laguna Playhouse), four consecutive years of The 24hr Plays, Tonya & Nancy (Club Oberon, Boston), Serpentine Pink (Son of Semele), and CarnEvil (Sacred Fools). joelarue.com

Ryan Bergmann

(Producer)

Ryan has worked as a Producer -Tonya & Nancy: The Rock Opera in Concert (King King), The Next Fairy Tale (Celebration Theatre), BASH’d: A Gay Rap Opera (Celebration Theatre, Ovation Nominee), Midsummer Night (Lillian Theater). He is also a Director - Niagara Falls (Theater of Note), revolver (Celebration Theatre), The Real Housekeepers of Studio City (LA Fringe, Best of Fringe Winner); As an Assistant Director he has been involved with the following productions: Wolves (Celebration Theatre), Justin Love (Celebration Theatre, Ovation Nominee, Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle winner Best Production), Midsummer Night (Los Angeles Rock Opera Co), The Color Purple (Celebration Theatre, Ovation Award, LADCC, LA Weekly winner Best Musical), Booty Candy (Celebration Theatre, LADCC Nomination), Dream Boy (Celebration Theatre). Ryan has dedicated over a decade of his life to furthering the appreciation of theater in Los Angeles.

Allison Dillard

(Costume Designer)

Allison Dillard has an MFA in Costume Design and Technology from the University of Missouri-Kansas City and works as a freelance designer and technician in and around Los Angeles. Recent local design work includes: Shine Darkly, Illyria (Fugitive Kind), Spies Are Forever (Tin Can Bros.), Dream Boy, BootyCandy (Celebration Theatre), A Singular They (The Blank Theatre), Failure: A Love Story (Coeurage Theatre), Urinetown, The Lion King Jr. (Milken Community Schools), The Discord Altar (OperaWorks), Sons of the Prophet (Blank Theatre), James and the Giant Peach (Mirman School), The Arsonists (West-ern Stage). Her work can be seen at allisondillard.com.

Jack Wall

(Sound Designer/Album Engineer/Album Co-Producer)

Jack Wall’s distinguished musical career includes composing for film, television, video games and concerts as well as his early years producing and engineering albums for re¬cording artists. Renowned for his rich, cinematic scores for popular franchises such as Call of Duty, Mass Effect, Myst, Splinter Cell and Jade Empire, Wall’s repertoire spans a diverse range of musical styles and influences, while working with the world’s top orchestras and musicians.

Sarah Mullis

(Associate Producer)

Sarah Mullis is an actor, singer, dancer, and comedy writer that just relocated to LA after 3 years in New York. She attended the Boston Conservatory for musical theater and is happy to wear a different hat for Anaïs, A Dance Opera! Getting to know the cast and crew has been an absolute pleasure, and she’s so excited for an audience to experience it! Make sure to check out the Anaïs, A Dance Opera website and social platforms @anaisdanceopera and check out Sarah’s website www.sarahmullis.com

Holly Sedillos

(Eternal Anaïs, Vocalist)

Holly divides her time between the studio and the stage. You can hear her solo voice on Assassin’s Creed Syndicate and Deformers, The Conjuring 2, and in the opening titles of Altered Carbon. She has been featured in films including La La Land, Despicable Me 2, Despicable Me 3, Minions, Rogue One, Star Wars: The Last Jedi, Smurfs: The Lost Village, Big Hero 6, Sing!, and Godzilla. On stage, she most recently performed with Hans Zimmer's concert tour. hollysedillos.com

Daniel Valentine

(Ensemble)

is a multi-faceted entertainer, working with the likes of Britney Spears, Beyonce, Macy Gray, to performing on the Billboard Awards 4 times, to photographing for Macy's, Target, Lucky Brand Jeans, and Guess, to name a few. He's currently finishing a degree in Neuroscience where he will research the connection between movement and intelligence. For more information, visit DValentineOnline.com

Mathew D’Amico

(Father/2nd Husband/Ensemble)

born and raised in Tampa, FL. Graduated from Elon University, BFA in Dance Performance & Choreography, minor in Communications. Danced for companies including The Union Project Dance Company (TUP), TERRANOVA Dance Theatre, performed works by Larry Keigwin, Jon Lehrer and Ricky Lam. Recent: Celebrity Cruises Production Dancer/Singer, Jacob’s Pillow Inside/Out Festival with TUP, World Premiere of Jane Austin’s Pride & Prejudice: A Musical (Ensemble) at La Mirada. @mathewdomenic

Micaela DePauli

(Anais - Dancer)

was born and raised Gallup, New Mexico. Growing up, she trained in several genres of dance and drama. After completing high school she attended the American Musical and Dramatic Academy in Los Angeles. At 21, she's signed with Go 2 Talent Agency. and working as a commercial and company (live performance) dancer. Micaela is currently dancing with LA Companies: Keshet Chaim Ensemble, The Union Project, Brockes Red, and Karmagraphy.

Ben Bigler

(Hugh Guiler)

Ben began dancing in Fort Collins, Colorado at age three, and was a featured dancer in Disney’s High School Musical 3 at the age of 14. Later in high school he was a part of The Silhouettes, a dance company that placed 2nd on NBC’s America’s Got Talent Season 6. Travelled internationally performing at venues such as The Colosseum in Caesar’s Palace, on the beach in Cancun, Mexico, and at the U.S. Presidential Inaugural Ball in Washington D.C.

Kate Coleman

(Anais - Dancer)

Originally from Chicago, Kate began dancing at the age of 3, after a broken leg required physical therapy, and the rest is history. She traveled to Canada, Austria and Italy with Forum Jazz Dance Theater during high school. She then moved to LA to receive her B.F.A. in dance theatre from the AMDA College and Conservatory. After graduating Kate became a member of LA Contemporary Dance Company, and is continuously dancing with incredible choreographers from across the LA area.

Tiffany Wolff

(Anaïs - Dancer, Ensemble)

Tiffany attended AMDA College and Conservatory of the Performing Arts, NYC and LA. She received her B.F.A. in Theatre and continued her study of Dance. Tiffany has worked Theatrically in a number of productions including, Prometheus Bound, This Is Our Youth, and Gilded Lilies and in the Feature Film, Escape Artist. Tiffany is a member of Road Theatre Company in North Hollywood. tiffanywolff.com

Denise Woods

(Ensemble)

a native of Los Angeles, Denise has extensively studied ballet, contemporary, musical theater and various forms of dance for over 25 years. Her training began at California Dance Theatre and later went on to receive her B.A. in Communications/Dance from Cal State University of Long Beach. Denise has cultivated other loves in her life; that of Yoga, Surfing and serving as a Birth Doula. She finds that all aspects of her career overlap, each a path, to cultivate a deeper connection to mind, body and soul.

Jacqueline Hinton

(Ensemble)

is a performer, choreographer, and Pilates instructor. She received her BFA in Dance from the University of Texas at Austin and is currently signed with both Go 2 Talent Agency and RPM Talent Agency; and she has several television, stage, and film credits. This is Jackie’s fourth year dancing with Janet Roston.

Quinn C. Jaxon

(Hugh Guiler)

Quinn is a professionally trained dancer, specializing in Ballet, Jazz, Hip-Hop, Modern, Lyrical, Partnering and Acro. Quinn has performed with: Silverlake Contemporary Ballet; The Inland Dance Theatre; the Pacific Ballet Dance Company; Los Angeles Ballet; and with the LA Dance Company. Quinn has also performed in numerous music videos and network ads. Quinn has also danced at a variety of venues in Las Vegas for ePlus Productions. He is a graduate of The Edge Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles.

Marisa Matthews

(Eternal Anaïs, Vocalist)

Marisa is a graduate from The American Conservatory Theatre. She is currently playing Anna in the all-new musical spectacular, Frozen: Live at the Hyperion, at Disney California Adventure. Favorite credits include: Polly Peachum (The Three Penny Opera), The Little Match Girl (Striking 12), and Cecily Cardew (The Importance of Being Earnest). Marisa is honored to be working again with this creative team. Endless love to my family. marisamatthews.com

Michael Quiett

(Henry Miller)

is a graduate of UCLA's school of Theater, Film and Television and he is a former member of Datugan Dance Theatre. His most recent performance credits: Cleansed (Freud Playhouse), Portrait (LATC), Lorca (UnKnown theater), Sweet Sisters (Highways), The Wanting (Highways) and The One Hundreds with the Twyla Tharp dance company.

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REVIEWS:

Anaïs Nin: Unbound (formerly Anaïs, A Dance Opera)

"While words form the backbone or basic structure for the piece, "Anaïs: A Dance Opera" is at its heart a work of dancing and dancers, executed with great care and respect for its subject. There are no show-off high notes for the singer, and no high-kicking finales for the dancers. Instead we, as audience, are given the deeper role of experiencing an emotional extrapolation on the subject of one author's life."

- James H. Carlin, Santa Monica Observed (full review)

“Elegant and unique”

“Employing edgy music and thoughtful compositions, complemented by Roston’s dreamy, lyrical and passionate choreography, Shapiro acknowledges Nin as an important literary figure.”

- Pauline Adamek, artsbeatla.com (full review)

“Sensuous, compelling and thought provoking”

- Christine Gallagher, Huffington Post (full review)

"The music to Anais, A Dance Opera is simply stunning and complex. It matches the intricacy and multi-dimensional layering of Anais Nin’s inner and outer life."

- writer Sheryl Aaronson (full review)

“Roston and Shapiro’s hybrid theatrical is a smashing show for the ensemble and the stars. ..Shapiro’s very good music, in a variety of styles, is a set of nine pieces that tell Nin’s story chronologically, along with digressions into the “interior cities.” Roston’s choreography is a thrilling interplay of principals and ensemble”

RECOMMENDED - Stage Raw (full review)

"Putting a whole life onstage is a nearly impossible challenge: There’s so much to tell, and so little time. Anaïs takes us into an incredibly complex life, and does it more effectively — and poetically — than any theatrical biography I can recall."

- theatreghost.com (full review)

"Wow-wow-wow! Totally Amazing."

“The choreography by Janet Roston was both brilliant and daring.”

- Suzanne Birrell, Discover Hollywood (full review)

"...seamless marriage of all the elements presented: the lyrics, visuals, choreography, performances and music... a wonderful tribute."

- Jeff Slayton, SeeDance.com (full review)

"What a terrific production! Choreography and music are brilliantly paired. The ensemble is excellent and the costumes are most impressive. Marisa Matthews (Eternal Anaïs, Vocalist) is exceptional! It's worth the price of admission to hear her. It is one of our FEATURED events. GO!"

- Performing Arts Live (full review)

INTERNATIONAL REVIEWS:

2018 Paris/Casablanca Tour:

“The performance was beautifully staged and executed. The talent of the performers "formidable," particularly the singer and lead dancer. Catch it if you can!”

- Adrian Leeds, Parler Paris, AdrianLeeds.com

“This is a beautiful show that made fantastic use of our theater, it was a perfect fit. The dancing and vocals were sublime. Our audience loved it.”

- Adrian Pierini, Artistic Director, La Nouvelle Eve

“I saw this production at the Avignon Festival last July ’17. The story was compelling, the dance, vocals and visuals breathtaking and with theatricality combined in a new and unique way. I knew I had to bring it Casablanca. The audience response proved me right, it was the hit of the International Theatre Festival.”

- Noureddine Ayouch, President, La Fondation des Arts Vivants

“Women, Love, and Sexual Identity. These were a themes of the masterpiece “Anaïs, A Dance Opera,” directed by Janet Roston, which opened the International Theatre Festival in Casablanca. This production, a melange of music, dance and theater was beautiful, intelligent and thought provoking.”

- Aujourd’hui Le Maroc

2017 Festival OFF D'Avignon:

“This is an American show, the quality is outstanding. The artists are multidisciplinary and not a single misstep spoils the production. Besides discovering or rediscovering Anaïs Nin, a feminist before her time, the audience will get great pleasure in the quality, beauty and brimming enthusiasm at the heart of this stunning show.”

- boiteaculture.com

“Each year, The Festival Off of Avignon reveals a special, stand-out production for its immense creativity. The energy and amazing dynamics of the dancers, the gorgeous voice of the singer, the beautiful projections and the music take the audience in to a dreamlike universe. A large “Bravo” for the radiant music of Cindy Shapiro and the sparkling choreography of Janet Roston. Is is one of the strongest productions of the Festival Off 2017.”

- MPA Communications

“Amazing..strong, intelligent and inventive..resonates strongly. A vibrant and bold portrait of Anaïs Nin, a “woman in the world of men,” female pioneer, and writer of erotic books who dared to lift the veil on the mysteries of female desire.

- Festi.tv

This production succeeds extremely well through a series of tableaux vividly representing her life in phrases, in moments. Nothing is forgotten, props, lights, music, dance, text, all with precision and a well-constructed story. Bravo to composer Cindy Shapiro, to choreographer Janet Roston and projection designer Joe LaRue. A marvelous moment that we could very well see again in Europe in the near future.

- revue-spectacles.com

This show is large in all ways, style, scope and quality. The American troupe from Los Angeles of six dancers and a singer are all excellent. The challenge? To present in dance and projections the tormented life of Anaïs Nin. This bold challenge was met by Janet Roston, contemporary choreographer, and Cindy Shapiro who wrote the music and lyrics. Their well developed work was a success at the Festival Off d’Avignon. At the performance I attended the hall was full and the audience embraced the production with enthusiasm.

- regarts.org

ADDITIONAL REVIEWS:

Huffington Post (full review)

LA Weekly (full review)

Santa Monica Observer (full review)

Hollywood 360 (full review)

LISTINGS & ARTICLES:

"The Los Angeles Dance Scene. Yes, There Is One." The New York Times

‘Dance Opera’ celebrates the eternally provocative Anaïs Nin - Jewish Journal

"Janet Roston Directs And Choreographs Novel Take On Life Of Famed Diarist Anais Nin" - Beverly Hills Courier

"ANAÏS, A DANCE OPERA: An Interview with the Creators Janet Roston and Cindy Shapiro" - Agendamag.com

Do LA - "Janet Roston and Cindy Shapiro present Anaïs, a Dance Opera"

Eventful - Anaïs, A Dance Opera in Los Angeles

Fusicology - Featured Event

Guest of a Guest - Calendar

LA Weekly - Events

Performing Arts Live - Events

TheatreMania - Events

Anaïs Nin Podcast - Interview with Cindy Shapiro

Janet Roston, Director/Choreographer, Cindy Shapiro Composer/Lyricist of Anaïs Nin: Unbound offer workshops in dance, theatrical movement, choreography, vocal training, music composition, collaborative creation and research techniques. Workshops tailored to all levels and ages. Many of these workshops can be open for large group community events.

DANCE TECHNIQUE, DANCE REPERTORY, STORYTELLING THROUGH MOVEMENT

Dance Technique

Contemporary dance for all levels

Repertory from “Anaïs Nin: Unbound”

Repertory could include: “Little Innocent Girl,” “Dream/Guernica,” “Train,” “To the Edge”

Basics of Dance Composition

Master class or extended residencies in elements of movement and choreography.

Movement composition derived from classic literature

Use of characters, plot, tone, setting and storyline to create movement studies.

Choreography from personal experience

Use of journals, dreams, blogs as a jumping off point to create compelling dance

Creating movement studies from the Cafe Culture of Paris, Artists

Using artists of the time and the art movement they represent; cubism, surrealism etc (Pablo Picasso, Salvadore Dali, Chagall) as inspiration for dance and theatrical movement studies.

Creating movement studies from the Cafe Culture of Paris, Literature

Using writers of the time (Ernest Hemmingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Henry Miller, Gertrude Stein) as a basis for movement studies. Using themes, vocabulary and visualization as well as specific scenes from literature for the development of movement studies.

MUSIC COMPOSITION AND VOCAL TECHNIQUE

Vocal technique

All levels — basic vocal technique, including pitch issues, vocal placement, smoothing out vocal registers, larynx control, and breathing

Songwriting

Starting with a premise and working our way through the composition of the song.

Theory Perspective

Musical discussion of pieces from the opera, lead sheets provided for the class for discussion purposes — “Cold Cold Night”, “Hugh”, “Delta of Venus”, “You See Me”, “Lie Box” Discussions of harmonic theory and rhythm theory around some of the more complex songs in the show.

NIN’S ROLE, COLLABORATIVE PROJECTS, RESEARCH TECHNIQUES

The history of Anaïs Nin — more in-depth than the show can go

An in-depth look at her life and work

Collaboration in Creating Work

The art of working with other artists

Research techniques

Preparing the bed of the narrative through careful research

Janet Roston, Educator, Dance and Movement for Theater

A master dance educator, for many years Janet was the Artistic Director of Beverly Hills High School’s acclaimed Dance Company whose members have gone on to form their own successful dance companies and become professional dancers, actors, musicians, graphic designers etc. She has taught dance and movement for actors internationally in London at Millennium Performing Arts Academy, London Studio Centre and Arts Educational as well as teaching in Toulouse and Cannes. National master dance/movement classes includes UCLA, Cal State Long Beach, CAHPERD, Atlanta’s Pebblebrook Arts Academy and Boston Conservatory. Janet has a BA and MA in Dance from UCLA and a California teaching credential in Physical Education, Dance, English and Elementary Education.

Cindy Shapiro, Educator, Music and Vocal Technique

Cindy’s journey to composing “Anaïs” has been varied. As such she her teaching background is diverse yet interrelated. As a music instructor she has taught music theory, vocal technique, music appreciation, songwriting and conducting. Currently she is a private vocal coach working with rank beginners with pitch issues to professionals who want to elevate their craft. She has been a video game coder applying this background to teach technology to students, including logic, set theory, coding and gaming applications. Cindy has a degree from Antioch University with a focus in Music Composition and a Kodaly Music Pedagogy Certification from Cal. State Univ. Long Beach.

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For Booking:

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Rachel Cohen

310-701-9191

rachel@cadencearts.com