bits
Best Dancer, 2007
"This is actually a twofer since Karen Sherman is equally talented as a choreographer and a dancer. But this year we'll praise her moves on stage. The artist, who splits her time between Minneapolis and New York, is agile and fearless, no doubt a result of her training on the trapeze. But she sets herself apart with an ability to explore the quirky, awkward, deliberate, and often obscure moments that occur between the movement phrases. In 2006 Sherman embodied the obsession of an Elvis impersonator in Faker, Morgan Thorson's savvy ode to idol lust. And in her own Tiny Town she ably scanned the emotional pitfalls of heartland life. One minute Sherman may be moving with lyrical ease, the next she punches the air like a rock star—it seems entirely possible that she'll burst into song or stare down the other dancers with her piercing eyes. We're fortunate she chose to plant at least one of her talented feet here."
"Sherman is a charismatic performer, whose work is exquisitely crafted and powered by lean, incisive movement."
Camille LeFevre, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Tiny Town (2006)
"Missouri Compromise summons a spare emotional and physical landscape where time moves deliberately, and seemingly innocuous conversations harbor hidden tensions. Both Sherman and Thorson move with fierce intention."
Caroline Palmer, City Pages, Missouri Compromise (2005)
"It's a shame that shows like the amazing Foxhole don't run long. By the time you e-mail friends, they're gone for good."
Eva Yaa Asantewaa, Village Voice, Foxhole (2000)
"Sherman and Gangé's 'bad girl' image is unequivocally about contemporary women...and conceives of female bonding as a forceful, empowering tool to protest and fight against male dominance."
Frank Werner, ballet tanz, Foxhole (2000)
" Foxhole is all action. ...this gifted ensemble could kick the crap out of those Gap khaki girls (and guys). "
Maura Nguyen Donohue, Dance Insider, Foxhole (2000)
"Sherman physically redefines the obligatory rock-concert drum solo, as she percussively pumps her fists and tears up the stage in a rock-star turn."
Camille LeFevre, Minneapolis Star-Tribune, Morgan Thorson's Faker (2005)
"Karen Sherman and Chris Schlichting’s karaoke duet to “Up Where We Belong” would be a Grammy winner if there were such a category, as they really can sing. In her lounge-lizard act—complete with go-go girls—Sherman channels every pelvis-wriggling, sleeze-oozing, girl-ogling, audience-seducing lounge singer with impeccable gestural precision. In her drum-solo duet with on-stage drummer Ryan Billig, she’s simultaneously drum, stick and drummer in a tour de force of fervor, fearlessness and physical ferocity. "
Camille LeFevre, mnartists.org, Morgan Thorson's Faker (2006)
"Karen Sherman plunges into music at the nerve level, her stamina nearly incidental."
Lightsey Darst, mnartists.org, Morgan Thorson's Faker (2005)
"I found myself enchanted by Cold Comfort 's tenderness, gentle humor, sadness, and boldness. Very effective, impressive dance theater."
Eva Yaa Asantewaa, Cold Comfort (2004)
© 2008 karen sherman