Gregory Glade Hancock, artistic-director of a dance theatre based in Indianapolis, is in the process of bringing modern day ballet and fusion dance partnering with local centres in India.

The company is in the process of bringing its maiden concert tour of India.

Part of the visiting delegation from Indianapolis, he heads Gregory Hancock Dance Theatre based in Carmel, Indiana.

Having created more than 120 dance works for the company vast and diverse repertoire ranging from short renditions and full length contemporary ballets, he sees potential to set up a dance training centre in India.

Interacting with Business Line on the sidelines of the CII conference here, he said learning dance through academies is gaining popularity. Children in the age group of 6-7 years begin to learn dance and people get attracted to ballets as they get to train and perform.

“I travel to India to cities like Mumbai and teach in some of the institutes. However, I feel there is potential to set up dance centres in the country,” he said.

Associated with some of the Indian associations in North America, Gregory said such platforms serve as an opportunity to attract youngsters to take up training in various dance forms.

In fact, it won’t be long before you may see Gregory’s team performing for one of the Indian movies. He has been offered an opportunity to perform with his team in an Indian movie.

The theatre back home combines modern dance, ballet and ethnic forms and theatre to create a unique style of movement and sense of drama. It also works with music and themes of India, creating fusion of modern, classical and Bollywood-style dance.

With choreography set to songs in Hindi, Telugu, Tamil and Punjabi, the theatre has performed in a number of Indian events back home, including Independence Day, Diwali celebrations and wedding receptions.

rishikumar.vundi@thehindu.co.in

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