ECNAD

ECNAD (the reverse spelling of 'dance') is a contemporary dance company founded in 1996 in Singapore with a multi-disciplinary approach. It was formerly known as Dance Dimension Project. ECNAD is one of the first non government professional creative dance company that mushroomed amidst the then cultural desert of Singapore. This in turn sparks off the formation of many new contemporary dance companies in Singapore, a phenomenon never seem before in the modern cultural history of Singapore. Its founders and artistic directors Tan How Choon and Lim Chin Huat (Lim was 2000 Young Artist Award recipient) who are 2 ordinary individuals of indigenous approach to expression despite their western influences in fine arts, dance and sport training backgrounds.

From 1997 to 2000, it initiated a series of outreach site-specific works at fountains and architectural spaces in the urban environment. Suntec City fountain, Bugis Junction fountain, Millennia Walk and UOB Plaza Atrium are some of the performance venues. These are projects that aims at facilitating environment and dance aesthetics of the general public through performances that highlight and work with the existing aesthetics of the chosen space. In fact, this is at that time, one of the first of its kind project by private individuals never seem before by the republic.

ECNAD has performed more than 50 creations over the past 12 years as in year 2008.

In the 1990s to early 2000s, ECNAD focused mainly on:
* providing opportunities and assisting local dance artists to work together and create their dances
* free outreach performances for the general public
* gaining valuable experiences through collaborations with overseas professionals
* nurturing and assisting new talents to fulfil their dreams
* explore working with many production artists besides dancers

The company received both full-house and standing ovation for her tour performances "Floating Mirror" and "a-the-bird" in 35th Belgrade International Theatre Festival (BITEF), and had an audience of 19,700 for "Tales from The Giant Blanket" performances in Festival of Asia in New Zealand in 2001.

"…, [Ecnad] signalled a new direction for the festival. Their success with New Zealand audiences meant that more contemporary material is likely to be introduced in future years."

Festival of Asia 2001 Report, New Zealand

In 2002, it was commissioned by the National Arts Council of Singapore to perform a multi-disciplinary artistic work entitled "Missing In Tall Pillars" at the Asian Civilisations Museum.

In 2006, ECNAD was commissioned to co-conceptualised and created "Metamorphosis" to open the evening for Mercedes-Benz Asia Fashion Award (regional final competition).

Its artistic ideal and vision continues to evolve and in March 2008, Artistic Director Tan How Choon staged a multi-disciplinary production entitled In The Name Of Dance that successfully assimilated dance, movement, acting and singing into one cohesive creation.

Currently, the company has also designed and programmed its own dance training programs under ECNAD Education filling the gap for keen individuals to receive all-rounded practical dance education on a part-time basis.

See also

* Dance in Singapore
* Culture of Singapore

External links

* [http://www.ecnad.org Official site]