Current Projects

Kristen believes that issues of humanity should be especially addressed in an ever busier, technological world. More recently, her practice in the Eastern healing arts have informed her art. Questions of interconnectedness, consciousness and spirituality drive her investigations. From this two current projects are being created:

The Zendo Dances is a series of experimental dance works for video. Filmed on the grounds of Dai Bosatsu Zendo Monastery in Livingston Manor, NY, it captures the transcendent qualities of Zen practice, nature and movement. The series of visual haikus feature Argentinean dancer Monica Dremedie. In it filmmaker, Mangione, and dancer, Dremedie, collaborate with nature and practice being in the moment, producing unexpected magical results.

Moving Home is a community based project for dancers and underserved populations. In it, teams of dancers are trained to teach movement classes at New Jersey and New York shelters serving both children and adults. Homeless populations will benefit by experiencing community, joy, and self-discovery that may be missing from their lives. Teaching artists will benefit by seeing dance have a direct impact on the emotional and physical well-being in this community.

What inspires this project is taking dance outside the context of the dance studio and concert hall. For many dancers, the only impact our art has upon others is within our own community- either the dance community or concert audiences. This limited scope of influence has left us feeling powerless and inconsequential in the grand scheme of society. We can think of no greater satisfaction than to connect with an often misunderstood population that would otherwise possibly never have the opportunity of experiencing the movement arts. To learn more about the project or get involved, please contact us.