Marion D'Cruz CV

Marion D’Cruz is a founder member, executive producer and resident choreographer of Five Arts Centre which was formed in 1984. Five Arts Centre is a performing and visual arts collective of artists and producers dedicated to generating alternative art forms and images in the Malaysian creative environment.

Contemporary social and cultural issues impinging on Malaysian life are precipitated by the Centre by way of exhibitions, performances, and creative and research workshops. The Centre's activities include drama, dance, music, young people's theatre (including Teater Muda and Theatre-in-Education) and the visual arts.

Marion is also artistic director of Marion D’Cruz and Dancers which was formed in 1983.


ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS

BA (Hons) Performing Arts, University Science Malaysia, Penang - 1977

MA Dance, University Science Malaysia, Penang - 1979. Thesis entitled “Joget Gamelan - A Study of its Contemporary Practice”.

DANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY STUDIES

Classical Ballet. With Celia Lustig, Johore Ballet School.

Malay Classical and Folk Dance

• Terinai. With Dr. Chandrabanu, University Science Malaysia.
• Terinai. With the late Pak Meh of Perlis, University Science Malaysia.
• Joget Gamelan. With Ahmad Omar, National Culture Complex.
• Joget Gamelan. With the late Mak Adnan of Trengganu.
• Silat and other forms. With Dr. Mohamad Ghouse Nasaruddin, University Science Malaysia.
• Silat and other forms. With National Culture Complex.

Indian Classical Dance (Bharata Natyam). With Dr. Chandrabanu, University Science Malaysia and Mr. Bhaskar, Singapore.

Javanese Court Dance. With Dr. Sudarsono, Dance Academy Indonesia, Jogjakarta.

Balinese Dance. With Anak Agung Anom Putera, Bali and Pak Wayan Dia, Jakarta.

Contemporary Dance.

• The Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, New York.
• The Merce Cunningham School, New York.
• The Ruth Curier School, New York.

Choreography, Labanotation, Movement Studies.

• The Laban Institute, London.
• The Laban Institute of Movement Studies, New York.

PERFORMANCE AND CHOREOGRAPHY

Major Works

War on Iraq. 2003. Piece choreographed for the MyDance Festival 2003. Kuala Lumpur.

Curfew. 2002. Worked with choreographer Judimar Monfils. Contemporary dance concert. Kuala Lumpur

Malaysia Boleh! 2001. Piece choreographed by Marion D’Cruz for the MyDance Festival 2001, Kuala Lumpur.

Lear. 1999. Japan Foundation Asia Center production directed by Ong Keng Sen. Berlin and Copenhagen.(performance)

Playground. 1999. Five Arts Centre production choreographed by Marion D’Cruz and Aida Redza.

Swan Song. 1998, 1996, 1993, 1992, 1988. Marion D’Cruz and Dancers. Ipoh, Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Vienna, Hong Kong. (choreography and performance)

The Reluctant Saint. 1997. The Redemptorist Order production directed by Anne James. Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. (choreography)

Dance Tonpu II. 1996. Collaboration with Keiko Takeya Contemporary Dance Co. Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur. (choreography and performance)

Savages. 1995. The Actors Studio Theatre production directed by Joe Hasham. Kuala Lumpur. (choreography)

Suara Rimba. 1994. Five Arts Centre production directed by Janet Pillai. Kuala Lumpur. (choreography)

Let Me Speak. 1994. Marion D’Cruz and Dancers. Five Arts Centre production. Kuala Lumpur. (choreography and performance)

Nagraland. 1992. A Dick Lee Musical directed by Krishen Jit. Singapore, Tokyo, Fukuoka, Osaka, Sendai, Nagoya, Hong Kong. (choreography)

Alter Art. 1991. Five Arts Centre. Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. (choreography and performance)

New Directions ‘88. 1988. Marion D’Cruz and Dancers. Five Arts Centre production. Kuala Lumpur. (choreography and performance)

Solo ’86. 1986. Marion D’Cruz and Dancers. Five Arts Centre production. Kuala Lumpur. (choreography and performance)

1984 Here and Now. 1985. Five Arts Centre production directed by Krishen Jit. Kuala Lumpur. (choreography)

The Cord. 1984. Five Arts Centre production directed by Krishen Jit. Kuala Lumpur, Ipoh, Singapore. (choreography)

Sintesis ’84. 1984. Marion D’Cruz and Dancers. Five Arts Centre production. Kuala Lumpur, Penang. (choreography and performance)

Solo Marion D’Cruz. 1982. Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Seremban, Johor Baru, Ipoh, Penang, Singapore, London. (choreography and performance)

Ramayana. 1981. Collaboration with Asian Artists. New York, Boston. (choreography and performance)

Wrong Guys. 1981. Mabou Mines production directed by Ruth Malecheck. The Public Theatre, New York. (choreography)

The Tempest. 1981. Shakespeare in the Park directed by Lee Bruer. The Public Theatre, New York. (choreography)

Tirai. 1981. Collaboration with Asian Artists. La Mama, New York. (choreography and performance)

TEACHING EXPERIENCE

The One Academy - School of Communication Design. Survey of Malaysian Culture. 1995-present. Art and Culture in South East Asia. 1999-present.

National Arts Academy. History of Dance, Movement for Actors, Improvisation, Dance Ethnology, Dance Aesthetics and Appreciation. 1997-present.

Prime College. A-Level Programme. General Paper. 1989-1993.

Kolej Damansara Utama. American Degree Programme. English Composition. 1988-1989.

Fairview International School. English Language and Literature. 1983-1986.

National Culture Complex. Choreography. 1981-1983

University Science Malaysia. Performing Arts Tutor. 1977-1979.

AWARDS

American Field Service (AFS) Student Exchange Programme, California. 1971.

Asian Cultural Council grant to study at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance, New York. 1981.

United States Information Service (USIS) award to attend the American Dance Festival, Durham, North Carolina. 1986.

The British Council grant to attend the Dance Umbrella Festival, London. 1998.

Australian High Commission Cultural Award Scheme to attend the Adelaide Performing Arts Market, Adelaide. 2000.