~> Listen > Stacy West discusses Chimera on KWMU's Cityscape, January 30, 2009

Chimera
is a greek word meaning an illusion or fabrication of the mind.

Chimera (pronounced Ky MEER ah) pushes entertainment to the limit with this incredible journey into one of the most mysterious places in human existence…dreams.  MADCO’s team of designers has put the audience into the action in this grand-scale, entertaining and truly unique experience created to stimulate the audience’s senses and emotions.  The show combines contemporary dance with cutting edge design, creating a spectacle that should not be missed.

“Dreams have been here as long as mankind.  One third of your life is spent sleeping and in your lifetime you will spend 6 years of it dreaming, yet 5 minutes after the end of the dream, half of the content is forgotten.  After 10 minutes 90% is lost.  Dreams are a fascinating aspect of human existence that everyone can relate to.”
Associate Artistic Director and Chimera creator Todd Weeks

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“MADCO stands at a new era in the company’s existence. We have celebrated our 30th Anniversary Season, and have recently modified our name. We received critical acclaim in our international debut in Toronto. Chimera is no regular dance performance.  It is a theatrical event incorporating dance, aerial work, video and cutting edge design.”
Stacy West, MADCO Artistic Director

Chimera is an 80-minute journey into the world of dreams.  Rich visual images created with top-notch dancers, elaborate costumes, and stunning visual effects take the audience through a collage of dreamscapes. Performers dance, fly and repel their way through this unforgettable show produced by St. Louis’ premiere dance company. 

MADCO, founded in St. Louis in 1976, creates innovative and memorable dance performances combining passion and technical excellence to provide audiences with a world-class arts experience.  The company is known for its versatile and athletic style, presenting dance that is entertaining for audiences to watch and demanding for dancers to perform.  MADCO has wowed audiences throughout the United States and Canada with recent engagements in New York, Orlando and Toronto.

MADCO programs are made possible with financial assistance from the St. Louis Regional Arts Commission, the Missouri Arts Council, the Arts & Education Council of Greater St. Louis, Ronald McDonald House Charities and by other private, foundation and corporate donors.  The company rehearses daily at COCA in University City as part of the COCA Dance Space Initiative Program.