Take a wall fourteen feet high and one hundred and twenty feet long and make it into a stage. This is the set for Sanctuary, a dance of intense movement, ritual, and mistaken assumptions about the past from celebrated choreographer and Festival favorite Brian Sanders. Sometime in the future, a group of people inhabit a blown out, old industrial architectural relic from the past. They have chosen this place as a safe-haven, looking to recreate something from the past that is missing from their lives: a previous, purer way of life—the ever elusive sense of “the way things used to be.”

Sanders turns this wide visual expanse into an exquisitely choreographed mix of danger, force, and beauty, as his lost tribe brings to life a vision of what this place once was, with a new set of rules and rituals.

"45 minutes of nonstop, exhilarating, wondering-what's-next action that often had dancers swinging from the rafters on twirling straps or balancing on hanging metal cubes."
Ellen Dunkel, The Philadelphia Inquirer

"Sanders, a former dancer with Momix, is witty, deadpan and a master of the absurd—but he also remembers the dance element."
Ellen Dunkel, The Philadelphia Inquirer

In short: ten dancers, intense movement, wall as stage, fierce ritual, beautiful bodies, future past.

Brian Sanders wowed Live Arts Festival goers with the underground exuberance of 2009’s Urban Scuba, which transformed the Gershman Y’s long abandoned pool into a world of gravity-defying underworld creatures.

Direction and Choreography Brian Sanders Lighting Terry Smith Interactive Sculptures Alex Gartelmann Performers Gunnar Clark, Greg Holt, Ian Berry, John Luna, Shadou Mintrone, Sinéad O’Neill, Connor Senning, Dujuan Smart Jr, Billy Robinson, Brian Sanders

Post-show discussion moderated by Nick Stuccio, producing director, Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, following the performance on September 11.

To read blog articles about this show, click here.

Brian Sanders (choreographer/performer) Growing up in Princeton, New Jersey, Brian’s reckless fun was easily channeled once he found his love for gymnastics and classical dance. Inspired by shows like Bob Fosse’s Dancin’ and Pilobolus on Broadway in the 1970s, Brian was resolved to become a choreographer. After receiving his BFA from the University of the Arts, Sanders founded Archetype Dance Company. He served as a performer/choreographer and produced several evening-length works. He reestablished the company in 1997 as JUNK and has since then performed regularly in Philadelphia and the surrounding area. Philadelphia Weekly calls Sanders “the city’s most exciting choreographer and performer,” and the Philadelphia Inquirer honored him with an award for Best Choreography. Sanders received a Barrymore nomination in 2003 for his choreography in the Wilma Theater’s presentation of Big Love. He currently serves on the faculty at the University of the Arts in Philadelphia.

Gunnar Clark (performer) grew up in Trout Creek, Montana. He is currently in his senior year at The University of the Arts where he is pursuing his passion of choreography as well as a BFA in modern dance. Gunnar's works have been seen at the Koresh and Mt. Vernon Artists Showcases as well as multiple student choreography venues. He has been working with Brian Sanders for three years now, performing for UArts ensembles and working with him on a Momix production representing Mercedes Benz in L.A. Fashion Week. This is his first time performing with JUNK, for which he is all smiles.

Gregory Holt (performer) In high school, Gregory learned how to build human towers and has been experimenting in movement ever since. He completed his technical training at the Institute for Dance Art in Linz, Austria, and has since performed with various groups across Europe and the United States. He has collaborated on many experimental and critical projects, and also creates his own work. Now living in Philadelphia, Gregory is excited to be dancing with Brian Sanders' JUNK.

Ian Berry (dancer) is thrilled to be a part of Brian Sanders' JUNK. Hailing from Maryland, Ian began dancing at the age of 10 and hasn't stopped. In addition to working with many noted choreographers, Ian also had the opportunity to perform with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, under the direction of Marvin Hamlisch. He earned the title of Mr. Onstage America Soloist in 2008, has attended in regional and national conventions and most recently performed with Michael Susten's company, Xhale. Ian is a sophomore dance major at UArts and is a twin!!

John Luna (performer), a Texas native, is a Philly based freelance dancer and choreographer. When he isn't wiggling around on stage, John enjoys experimenting with video editing and projection, reading sci-fi and fantasy novels, and playing video games. John would like to take the rest of this space to thank his family for always supporting his endeavors.

Shadou Mintrones (performer) is originally from Florida where she trained in dance and theater arts. Currently she is studying at The University of the Arts as a senior jazz performance major. She has performed works with Scott Jovovich, Zane Booker, and Wayne St. David with whom she traveled to Santiago, Chile this past fall to perform. Locally she is also a performer with SLJ Arts Initiative and Xhale Dance Company. This is her first performance with Brian Sanders' JUNK, and she is thrilled to have the opportunity. She would like to thank her family for their love and support.

Sinéad O'Neill (performer), originally from New York, earned her BFA in modern dance performance at The University of the Arts. While attending UArts she performed works by Twyla Tharp, Silvana Cardell, Curt Haworth, Zane Booker, and Myriam Herve-Gil, with whom she performed in Rethel, France. In Philadelphia, she has performed in Silvana Cardell’s Vertex at the Annenberg Theater and Brian Sanders’s Flushdance, and was a part of Group Motion’s Revival. She has also performed at Carnegie Hall, Summer Stage in Central Park (Marta Renzi’s Reunion), and the Ted Shawn Theater at Jacob’s Pillow (under the direction of Chet Walker).

Connor Senning (performer) began studying dance at the age of 8. His first major stage debut was at age twelve with the international Broadway tour of Oliver! It was at his time that he realized his love for modern dance. He went on to graduate from North Carolina School of the Arts with a major in modern dance. He was involved in the world debut of Kingdom choreographed by Larry Keigwan, and Marimba, choreographed by Lar Lubovitch. Connor currently attends The University of the Arts as a talent scholarship recipient. He currently performs with Michael Susten’s Xhale Dance Company, and is extremely excited to work with Brian Sanders and the dancers of JUNK!

DuJuan Smart, Jr. (performer) A native Detroiter, began his dance training at the age of twelve at Fem Fatale Dance Studio in Oak Park, Michigan. While studying at Fem Fatale, Dujuan attended Lewis Cass Technical High School where he graduated in 2007. He currently attends The University of the Arts as a dance major. Some of his performance history includes Momix Dance Company, JUNK, and Eleone Dance Theater. Mr. Smart has participated in various competitions nationwide and been named 2006 ACT-SO national gold medalist, 2006 Urban Jamm well-rounded dancer of the year, 2007 Mr. Bravo winner, 2007 National Mr. Showbiz winner, and 2007 NFAA jazz dance winner.

Billy Robinson (performer) holds a BFA in modern dance performance from The University of the Arts. Upon graduating, William was awarded the prestigious President’s Award, along with the 2008 Outstanding Achievement in Modern Dance award. This is William’s second major performance with JUNK. He is also a member of Cardell Dance Theatre.

Terry M. Smith(lighting designer) is founder of Terry Smith Designs and has worked in the Philadelphia and greater northeast for the last 10 years. He is the production manager for Azuka Theatre and the resident master electrician for The Philadelphia Theatre Company. He has designed lights and video for companies around Philadelphia as well as major corporate and industrial events including recently the Kennedy center in Washington, DC.

Alex Gartelmann (interactive sculptures) is originally from northern New Jersey. He attended The University of the Arts in Philadelphia, where he received his BFA in sculpture in 2007. His work has been shown in New York, Lisbon, Baltimore, Boulder, Turku Finland, and Philadelphia. He is the founder and director of My House Gallery in South Philadelphia as well as a member of the Little Berlin collective. He is a board member for the non-profit Philadelphia Sculptors, and currently teaches sculpture courses at The University of the Arts. Beginning this fall he will be attending The School of the Art Institute of Chicago to pursue his MFA in sculpture.

Tyler Held (sculptor/fabricator), originally from Atlanta, Georgia, gained his Auto Body Repair/Refinishing Certification from Lanier Technical Institiute. Tyler is now in his senior year at The University of the Arts for his BFA in sculpture.