Journal

Wonderbound is celebrating the essence of Denver in its final production of its 2013-2014 season with Gone West. The story takes place at a campground, with the interpersonal dynamics of the characters as the groundwork for Garrett Ammon’s choreography. Michael J. Henry of Lighthouse Writer’s Workshop wrote new poetry for the piece, and Denver musician Ian Cooke composed new work, for a collaborative feast only Wonderbound can produce.

I chatted with Cooke and company seamstress Rachael Kras about their involvement in the ballet.

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Denver-based dance troupe Wonderbound, formerly Ballet Nouveau Colorado, doesn’t shy away from exploring different medians of art. Artistic director Garrett Ammon often speaks of his inclination to explore where different artistic disciplines intersect. And, with past productions like “Carry On,” “Intersection,” and “A Gothic Folktale,” the list of Wonderbound collaborators is long and diverse. For the company’s season closer, “Gone West,” Ammon and his kindle of Wonderbound dancers teamed up with local musician, singer/songwriter Ian Cooke and Michael J. Henry, a poet and the executive director of Lighthouse Writers Workshop — original costumes were designed and built by Rachel Kras, wardrobe supervisor and costume designer at Wonderbound.

As a guest for Wonderbound’s recent “Gone West” teaser, held at the company’s downtown Denver headquarters known as Junction Box on March 19, I got a sneak peek of what to expect for the two-week run in early April.

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