Myra Bazell's work is explosively physical dance theater that engages the heart, and launches the spirit. Urban aggressive influences and post modern sensibilities collide in Bazell's work creating a strikingly forceful elegance. While pressing significant issues into abstract imagery, Bazell maintains a sensual playfulness that has attracted diverse audiences.

Short Biography
Fifteen years of directing theater, choreographing her own work and free lancing as choreographer for major opera companies, music videos, and musical theater, has taken Myra throughout East and West Europe, South America, the Middle East and Russia. Myra Bazell draws from a diverse and extensive background in Release technique, Contact Improvisation, Ballet, Modern, Jazz, Flamenco and street dance of an Afro-Latino base. She received her BFA in dance from the University of the Arts where she taught Movement Theater there for twelve years. She also teaches at Temple University, Bryn Mawr College, Susan Hess Studio, Kumquat Dance Center and the Performance Garage, Philadelphia.

During the 2005/06 season Myra choreographed This Is Funked Up, a commission by Dance Celebration, Annenberg Theater, Philadelphia and Le Foulard Orange an evening length dance work in collaboration with designer Madison Cario commissioned by the Live Arts Festival, Philadelphia. She also staged and choreographed Bach’s Saint Matthew’s Passion with three choirs and orchestra at Zoellner Arts Center, Lehigh University, was commissioned by Bryn Mawr College, and choreographed The Trojan Women at the University of Maryland. Original full length dance theater pieces created 1999-2006 include Traces, DownWind, Trapture, Blood Line, EndZone, Quiescence, Le Foulard Orange, and This Is Funked Up, two duets and an octet on dancers of the Pennsylvania Ballet Company for Shut up and Dance and the Philadelphia Fringe Festival. Bazell’s works have been performed in Israel, Russia, London, France, Germany, Argentina, and NY.

In Theater Myra choreographed Myths and Hymns and Pal Joey for the Prince Music Theater, Chicago for Villanova University, Pacific Overtures, Arabian Nights and Winesberg Ohio at the Arden Theater as well as Ave. X, Three Penny Opera and Arcadia for the Wilma Theater,. She directed Year of the Woman, Lantern Theater, Clucks and Whirr and I Stand Before You Naked for Theater Catalyst and is resident director for Philadelphia Young Playwrights. Operas include La Traviotta, Philadelphia Opera Company Pagliacci and Operissimo, Sylvan Opera, and Museum, American Vocal Academy.

Ms.Bazell has created, performed and collaborated on original music scores for many of her works. She has received awards and commissions from the PA Council on the Arts 1994,97,99. Dance Advance, The PEW Foundation 1995 thru 2001, the International Woman's Theatre Festival of Russia 1994, Berlin Senate 1996, The Puffin Foundation 2005, The Leeway Foundation 2001,03, The Live Arts Festival Philadelphia 2005, the Independence Foundation 2004 and Dance Celebration, Annenberg, Philadelphia 2006. Myra is co-director of SCRAP Performance Group, a company dedicated to the creation of new dance theater work.