The New England premiere of the dance work "Princess Crocodile" (2014) by New York's LeeSaar The Company draws on themes of adolescence and womanhood, exploring the path to self-discovery, as the dancers “channel their inner swamp creature” (DanceBeat).

Israeli choreographers Saar Harari and Lee Sher create highly physical, magnetic works in collaboration with the seven extraordinary international female dancers of LeeSaar The Company. Formed in 2000, the ensemble is the artistic composite of director/writer Ms. Sher and dancer/choreographer Mr. Harari, with members from Taiwan, Korea, Malaysia, Canada, Israel, and the United States.

"Princess Crocodile" is set to an eclectic mix of music, from Igor Stravinsky and Gustav Mahler; to the electronic music of Autechre and The Hafler Trio, AGF, Part Timer, Scuba, Animal Hospital, and Taylor Deupree; the flamenco of Chano Lobato, Maria Magdalena, and Paco Romero; and singer-songwriter Josephine Foster.

The performance is a Breaking Ground Dance Series event presented by the Dance Department and the Center for the Arts, with support from the National Endowment for the Arts. Co-sponsored by Jewish and Israel Studies, and the Office of Religious and Spiritual Life. This event is also part of the Performing Arts Series.

$25 for the general public; $22 for senior citizens, Wesleyan faculty/staff/alumni, and non-Wesleyan students; and $6 for Wesleyan students.

Pre-performance talk by DanceLink Fellow Miranda Orbach '15 on Friday, September 19 at 7:30pm in CFA Hall, located at 287 Washington Terrace on the Wesleyan University campus in Middletown, Connecticut.

There will be a post-performance Q & A with the choreographers.

There will be a free dance workshop with LeeSaar The Company on Saturday, September 20 at 11am in the Bessie Schönberg Dance Studio, located at 247 Pine Street on the Wesleyan University campus in Middletown, Connecticut. Please call the Wesleyan University Box Office at (860) 685-3355 to register.