Screening of “Sheila” by Gabri Christa at Dance Camera West

Sat, Jan 21 - Sat, Jan 21  2023

Barnsdall Gallery Theatre - San Francisco Consulate Region

A dancer blows out a candle and finds herself in a magical world of memory, dance and presence. An experimental short bio-doc by Gabri Christa, starring Sheila Rohan, one of the founding dancers of Dance Theatre of Harlem. Join Gabri for this special LA screening and Q&A at the Dance Camera West festival in Los Angeles.

Gabri Christa will also be hosting a workshop, “Dance Film Lab,” at the festival, on January 21, from 11 to 2 PM.

About Gabri Christa

Gabri is an active advocate for the arts. She served eight years on the board for Dance Theater Workshop (now New York Live Arts) and now holds a position on the Advisory Board of Dance/NYC. In 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio appointed her to a three-year term on the Cultural Affairs Advisory Commission of the City of New York, where she provided feedback on the Cultural Plan for the City of New York and other initiatives. She was Director of Performing Arts for the Consulate General of the Netherlands in 2010-2014. In her work — film, dance, performance, education, writing, advocacy, and curation — Gabri explores ideas through personal and historic moments. Ultimately, she hopes to contribute to a discussion about the environment, race, aging, disability, economic inequality, immigration, and much more through her artistic pursuits.

About Sheila Rohan

Sheila Rohan is one of the founding members of Dance Theater of Harlem (DTH), under the direction of Arthur Mitchell, former Premier Danseur with the New York City Ballet, and Associate Director Karel Shook.  She toured extensively in the United States, Caribbean and Europe, performing as soloist in several works – Geoffrey Holder’s “Dougla,” Arthur Mitchell’s “Biofera,” “Tones,” and “Rhythmetron.”

Sheila has performed with dance companies both contemporary and ballet.  She toured China and South Korea with the Myung Sook Chun Dance Company, a modern dance troupe.  She danced the role of Rosa Parks in Gordon Parks’ film for television “Martin…the ballet,” and performed in a production of “Porgy and Bess,” choreographed by Carmen De Lavallade at the Metropolitan Opera House.  She performed with the Louis Johnson Ensemble, Fred Benjamin Dance Company, Rod Rodgers Dance Company, Walter Nicks Dance Company, Clive Thompson Dance. Sheila co-founded and is a performer with 5 Plus Ensemble, a theater group for dancers over 50. She is also one of the founders of The 152nd Street Black Ballet Legacy, whose mission is to collectively preserve, educate, and give voice to the essence of Black Ballet.

About Dance Camera West 2023

Dance Camera West aims to foster ground-breaking talent and to encourage new dance film, by supporting creation, presentation and distribution of films. DCW presents an annual international festival held at renowned arts venues throughout Los Angeles, and informative and educational events throughout the year, to bring dance to the world beyond the stage and through the language of film.