I always am amazed with what I take away from one of CorningWorks performances. Beth's work is so deep with through-provoking images along with a close association of real life moments. I learn more about her feelings and experiences with each performance and come away feeling like she and I had the same experiences. It is funny and serious at the same time; sort of like life! On another note, Beth is so gracious with her appreciation of her fans along with those in the audience as "first-timers".
CorningWorks is an important facet of the Pittsburgh artistic community and represents an area of artistic expression unlike any of the others. Its productions are diverse, surprising, provocative and always of an extremely high quality. CorningWorks productions are on par with anything ones sees in New York! We love it!!
Beth's work always exudes an honesty that makes it real and have relevance to all who watch and are drawn in. From the brilliant graphic design to the lighting and props that support the pieces, her choices of collaborators enhance the work. I am always amazed that after all these years as dancer, director, and choreographer, Beth has fresh and unique concepts and a performance style that is winning - a deep respect for physicality, humor, and heart.
Beth and her 'team' of chosen collaborators always offer a compelling look at the complexities that face a human. Funny, silly, sad and always straight from the heart, the experience that Corningworks dancers bring to the fore is unparalleled in local dance.
I am moved and invigorated by the work of this talented artist. There is depth, thoughtfulness, humor, physicality and adroit storytelling. It's what I want in dance... and well, in my life as well.
In the often transient and frequently banal world of regional dance, Corningworks is a stunning and notable exception. The powerful creative vision of Beth Corning pushes limits while still remaining, at its core, accessible to a full spectrum of audiences. While those steeped in Modern dance will find much to admire, and imitate. The true test of art is its ability to speak to all sorts of people. Ihave sat in the audience at various performances, most recently of her landmark work, What Remains, and have been deeply impressed how transfixed teenagers, twenty somethings, middle aged professionals and non-professionals, elderly people, were. Listening to animated conversations as the audience left, one could hear the excitement of people who witnessed soemthing just a little bit life changing. This nonprofit deserves to get noticed more and more.
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Having watched the evolution of Beth Corning's career as a loyal fan, it has been a privilege to actually serve on the board and see it from an entirely different perspective. I have always know her to be a brilliant choreographer, a powerful performer, but i had no idea of how meticulously she attends to every single detail of the performance: from choreography and music, to costumes, lighting, set direction, the venue, the publicity, the graphic design, to feeding and housing her dancers. There is no aspect of creating a work that she is not completely in control of, a remarkable and impressive feat. Because in the end, the fact she has never lost sight of, is that it IS about the work, about the art. To attend a CORNINGWORKS performance is to witness dance of rare intelligence and narrative force, a performance that does what the best art does: it changes you. It haunts you. It shifts your way of looking at the world, just a little bit. That is what has always been special about Corning's work. And what continues to be special about CORNINGWORKS.
Beth Corning is a fabulous choreographer and storyteller through dance. Using seasoned performers she creates works that stimulate and provoke.
I have attended many performances choreographed by the talented and innovative Beth Corning. She brings an exciting, very contemporary edge to the Pittsburgh dance experience. She utilizes vastly experienced performers to tell amazing stories.
It is a fantastic opportunity to work with a creative and energetic choreographer (and dancer) who brings thought-provoking and beautiful work to Pittsburgh.
