¯
South
African born Alan Bell, is the artist behind ArcheDream. Growing up in the Age of Apartheid, he resolved to find an
art form that would unify the racially divided audience in an ecstasy of
wonder. While dedicating himself
to the medium of blacklight for over two decades, Alan discovered a way to
bridge his African roots with his European inheritance. Originally performing as Dream Theatre,
the first production debuted in Naples, Italy 1996. Alan lived in Amsterdam, Holland for 18 years and is a
graduate of the Johannesburg College of Art. He is committed to the enrichment of culture through
delightful, profound and unforgettable art. Alan writes childrenÕs plays for the Princeton Montessori
School, he writes childrenÕs music for a CD series called Kaleidoscope Songs
with Alex Mitnick (www.kaleidoscopesongs.com). Alan helped Emily Nussdorfer establish
GirlÕs of Promise, a Philadelphia art and enrichment program for adjudicated
inner city teen girls, and he is also artist in residence at the RHD Ridge
Avenue Homeless Shelter for men in Center City Philadelphia.
¯
Glenn
Weikert is an
award winning digital media designer, DJ, dancer and electronic music
producer. Glenn grew up in
Mechanicsburg PA, served two years in the Navy, earned an Associates of
Communications from Harrisburg Area Community College, studied German in
Heidelberg, Germany and then worked and traveled abroad before returning to the
United States to graduate with honors from the Art Institute of
Philadelphia. Glenn was awarded
best portfolio of his graduating class and began focusing on ArcheDream upon
completion of his studies. In addition
to being the lead dancer in the PoetÕs Dream, Glenn produces electronic music,
sings and choreographs for a new series of ArcheDream productions. Glenn and Alan are also the founders of
HUMANKIND, a 501(c)(3) dedicated to HIV/ AIDS education through art,
performance, theatre and music.
Glenn, Alan and their partners here in the United States and in South
Africa are making steady progress towards launching the HUMANKIND Roadshow in
the Gauteng Province of Johannesburg, South Africa. In the six month pilot program, an international crew will
train for two months and then travel with a big top tent to ten locations over
a four month period. During the
day, the tent will be utilized by partner grassroots organizations to run
workshops, clinics and seminars.
In the evening, the main event; a celebration of life featuring comedy,
music, dance and theatre addressing the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
¯
J'Alvin
Chestnut, ArcheDreamÕs
dance master and mentor, was born in South Carolina. At the age 17, J'Alvin traveled to Italy with a dance company
and refused to return. J'Alvin was
accepted to the National School of Performing Arts in Westfallen, Germany and
after two years of study at the Volkwang Schule he won a scholarship to study
at the Paris Opera Ballet. His
professional career began with dance companies and opera houses throughout
Europe. In 1985, after acting in the film Enemy Mind with Lou Gosset Jr. and Dennis
Quaid, J'Alvin was contracted to do conduct classes at the University of
Nairobi in Africa. In 1996, he
returned to New York where he continued to teach classes at commercial dance
studios. Ballet Master J'Alvin
began mentoring the performers of ArcheDream in 2004 and continues to be a
vibrant source of inspiration and creativity.