The Flying E Ranch residency program was established in the summer of 2009. An innovative project curated by the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts, Wickenburg, Arizona, in partnership with the Wellik Foundation and the Flying E Ranch and with support from the Arizona Community Foundation. The Wellik Foundation moved forward to present the residency program as a philanthropic addition to the Wickenburg community. Designed as the “Wellik Series”, the artist residency program is intended to foster the creative, collaborative and performance project of established and emerging performing artists. Each residency is designed to allow artistic companies the opportunity to pursue a new project, mount work or collaborate with other artists, free from every day pressures. The residencies are intended for companies wishing to add to their repertoire a new piece of work or a piece that is new to them, in preparation for a tour or at a minimum, multiple performances. This may include: music, dance, theatre and film. Intended to fill the slower times at the ranch, the residences are curated by the Webb Centers’ staff, and will stay at the Flying E Ranch for a determined time frame, flexible in length. Local rehearsal space is secured according to the artistic discipline and creative needs of the project. Upon completion of the piece, a scheduled performance takes stage at the Webb Center. These parameters provide opportunities for the local community to connect to the artist and art form through open rehearsals, readings or performances, and the artist get the feel of the ”REAL WEST” while staying at the ranch and visiting the town.
During their residency, artist are exposed and invited to enjoy all that the ranch has to offer. These activities are available only after many hours of hard work and rehearsal time, which make the cookouts; swimming pool, hot tub, tennis courts, and horse back riding a real unexpected pleasure. Not to mention the delicious and plentiful ranch meals. Interaction between ranch guests and the artists create lasting friendships.
Artist companies that joined our ranch family for the 2009-2010 season include:
American Ballet Theatre II
New York City, N Y: October 15 – November 1, 2009
Under the direction of Wes Chapman, the Webb Center was honored to premiere “Pavlovsk”, choreographed by Roger VanFleteren and set to music by Karen LeFrak. This piece was solely developed during the ranch residency. Open rehearsals were enjoyed by local residents as well as dance schools and residents from all parts of Arizona.
Pavlovsk- ABTII
Pavlovsk - ABT II Brittany & Brian
Northwest Dance Project, Portland, OR: November 8 – November 21, 2009
Artistic Director, Sarah Slipper, spent two weeks with her company at the Flying E Ranch to develop a new piece of work for the stage. Open rehearsals were attended by many local residence and an amazing athletic performance was presented at the Webb Center.
NWDP
NWDP
The American Place Theatre, New York City, NY: January 17 – January 30, 2010
Under the direction of David Kener this group developed “The Living Library” bringing some of the greatest classic American writers’ classic works to life and introducing new audiences to the riches of great literature. These artists completed works and took them to our local schools, as well as conducting workshops for students to participate. A performance of the highest caliber was transported to the Webb Centers audiences which took them deep inside the page.
The “Wellik Series” performances and residency are made possible with the support of the Wellik Foundation, Arizona Community Foundation and the Flying E Ranch,through hard work and vision.
