Nathan Powell
Dancer/Choreographer/Teacher
Choreography
A Four Sided Triangle
An attempt to test the limits of balletic possibility, whilst letting the dancers show their true colors may just have let to the infamous four-sided triangle (or at least a four-part dance) Enjoy!
Moments to Remember
Sometimes in life we find ourselves so caught up with the relentless pace of our lives that we forget to take time to acknowledge the pleasantness of simple moments. These “moments to remember” may not be the happiest or most dramatic, but perhaps the simple or peaceful moments.
The Medium-Sized Bang!
The medium-sized bang is my interpretation of an alternate start to the universe. The dancers embody all types of energy and matter that might have been created had the beginning been different.
Suite
My take on classical ballet, set to music by Leos Janacek for eight dancers. Designed to show of the technical abilities of the dancers while expressing intimate musicality, this piece premiered with great acclaim. It was awarded the "Esther Simplot Award for Choreographic Excellence" and was re-staged with additional choreography by Ballet Idaho for their production "Anthology" the Fall of 2019.
BHDT's The Nutcracker
A full-length production of "The Nutcracker" for a cast of over 110 dancers. Performed at the beautiful Monument Theatre in Rapid City, SD on November 27, 2021.
Ascension
A gradual lifting and floating feeling with strong unity. Smooth lines and chill inducing choral music. Premiered at the Treefort Music Festival in Boise, ID in September 2021
What You Wanted for Me
A dance to express my concerns with gender roles and in our world. There are expectations for us that are unwritten, which slowly maneuver us toward acceptability in society.
A Panjandrum's Mad Test
panjandrum, noun 1. a self-important or pretentious official. As the creator of this work, I deemed myself the panjandrum. My mad test was putting a group of dancers and drummers together to see what happens. It seems appropriate when you realize that the name is an anagram of how it all started "Nate's drum and tap jams"
Tibata
My experimentation with creating my own music and for a multi-camera live recording of a dance piece.
Alleged Dances
This is the first work that I created for Idaho Dance Theatre. After 13 years of dancing full-time for dance companies, I had just retired and found myself transitioning to teaching. But through the whole process, I was questioning whether I really was a dancer anymore, or was I just "allegedly" a dancer?
Jimmy Johnny Charlie Martin
Mozart canons and Traditional drinking songs. What do they have in common? More than you might think. This work is my interpretation of what means some folk would have to go through to entertain themselves on a long journey. Also it's much more entertaining if you know German.
Non Quantum
A unique work to address the binary nature of our society. However, in this piece everyone wears the same gray costumes. Maybe we aren't so different?
Septet
Septet is a dance for seven. The wonderful music of Vladimir Martynov helps create a beautiful work that moves through with lovely formations and artistry.
OUT
Three dance movements in outdoor Idaho. Created for the Boise Dance Co-op. http://www.boisedco.org/
Dancers; Kathleen Martin, John Frazer, Nathan Powell and Sarah North
Music by Juli Draney and Nathan Powell
Choreography by Nathan Powell
Pas de Temps
An amalgam of styles mixing tap and ballet together. Energy and excitement abound.
There is Something in the Water
A reaction to the water crisis in Flint Michigan. Perhaps one of the most diverse works I have created. Plenty of emotion and surprise throughout. Watch and find out.
Please Control Your Impulsivity!
Percussion and dance, with a bit of surprise in the mix. The music for this piece was created as it was being choreographed and it was performed by the dancers!
“Thousand Miles Away” and “Slings and Arrows”
Dances to music written and performed by Jeffery Straker for the students of Youth Ballet of Saskatchewan.
IN CON
IN CON is what is inconceivable, incongruous, inconsiderate, or inconsolable in life. The witnessing of domestic abuse shocks, but nothing is done about it. Everyone turns their backs and walks away.
Dreamspace
That odd space when you first fall asleep and you mind takes you on a voyage greater than you can fathom.
Timepiece
Timepiece an original one-act ballet concieved and choreographed by Nathan Powell with music by Graham Reynolds and the Golden Arm Trio.
Idaho Statesman's Dana Oland writes "a fun character ballet with a sci-fi twist. In a speakeasy setting, a group of bank robbers discover they’ve stolen a device that can slow down and stop time. The company really looked to be having fun with this one. "
Nekollage
A dance dedicated to my mother who passed away 12 years ago from breast cancer. I used the music of Neko Case who has one of those voices that just projects right into your soul.
Zinzkaro
Zinzkaro means "Spring in the Geogrian language, which was the focus of this ballet with music by Georgian composer Sulkhan Tsintsadze.
Here and There
Here and There was commissioned by the director of Northern Plains Dance, Hollis Mackintosh for a student show. The theme of the show was Hollywood, and I used music from the movie, Bernie. The piece really goes here and there with short little vignettes for the audience to enjoy.
Halloween Henry Saddara and the Neighborhood
A fun ballet based on the story of a cat's wandering though the neighborhood on Halloween, including Falling Leaves, Starlight, and Ghosts.
Sospiro
Sospiro is a piece that is about the music. I found music by the group Faraualla which is an Italian quartet of female singers and percussion, which has very interesting rhythyms, syncopation and tone perfectly suited to a wide variety of movement. What I focused on saw the breath and the pulse of the music. The name of the piece, Sospiro, means “sigh” in Italian which was a great motivation for the piece.