Meet Our Company Members: Ashley Chavonne
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| Ashley Chavonne (Center) Under the Tangle, photo by Christopher Duggan |
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| Under the Tangle, Photo Credit Christopher Duggan (Featured Ashley Chavonne & Trey Coates-Mitchell |
Tell us about yourself and how did you become a part of Treehouse Shakers? How long have you been with the company? What is your role(s) with the company?
I am a dancer turned actress with the company and have been a member for 7 years (I think…wow). I was introduced to the Treehouse Shakers by a former company member after a conversation we had at work. We both worked at a restaurant in the Meatpacking district. I was curious about a teaching residency she had and found out that it was through Treehouse Shakers, which led to a conversation about how they were looking for dancers. I attended an open rehearsal soon after and the rest is history.
What has been your favorite role to play?
Little Girl Lost, my character in Under The Tangle. It’s a challenging role because she evolves so much throughout the show. So much so, that I feel like three different girls in the show. There’s girl 1, who lives outside the labyrinth and is thrown into this strange place. Girl 2, who is trying to navigate this strange place with these other quite strange characters. And Girl 3, who has accepted her new surroundings and has learned to push through her fears to…well, you will just have to see the show.
Tell us about a special audience moment you’ve had as a performer.
My favorite on stage moment was during a performance of Under The Tangle. There is a moment where the little girl falls asleep in the middle of the labyrinth and her friend leaves her to rest. A very concerned audience member, sitting front and center, gasps as the Queen of the Lost approaches the little girl and loudly whispers, “Wake up…wake up!”
My favorite off stage moment happened after a performance in Cincinnati. As a woman and her daughter were leaving the theater, the little girl ran up to me to say, “You were my favorite on stage!” She pointed to her hand, holding it next to mine and said, “You’re my same skin tone.” It was a really special moment for the three of us.
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| Under the Tangle, photo credit Christopher Duggan |
What makes Treehouse Shakers work unique or different than other companies you have worked with?
The creative approach to the marriage of dance and theater. Also the expectations they have for the creative and intellectual capacity of young audiences are appropriate and admirable. The stories are brilliantly crafted without the messages being watered down or the lessons feeling contrived.
What does it mean to celebrate 20 years with Treehouse Shakers?
It means that for 20 years, there has been an understanding of the impact that early exposure to arts and culture can have on young minds and a generous outpour of support for it. To be a part and product of that mission is truly exciting!
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| Post-Show Coyote's Dance at Ailey Citigroup Theater |
Anything Else You would like us to know?
I love Mara and Emily. They are two of the most creative, inspiring and encouraging women I know. Relentless in pursuit of creating quality art for young audiences and creating space for the company to be our best selves.
More About Ashley
Ashley Chavonne was born and raised in Detroit, MI. She received her B.A. in Strategic Communication and B.F.A in dance from Ohio State University where she studied with such notable choreographers as Rennie Harris, Luam, and Sheryl Murakami. In addition to being a principal company member of Treehouse Shakers, she is also a dancer for SoulRebel Dance Company founded and directed by a former member of Rennie Harris Pure Movement. As a dancer with diverse training, hip-hop influences her movement choices across all genres. She also performs with numerous other New York City choreographers and teaches around the city.
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