Page 6
University Daily Kansan, October 6, 1981
Spare Time
Ailey company dancers 'tough it out'
By LISA BOLTON Staff Reporter
Clad in reds, hot pins and black, dancers strutted and slithered across Hoch Auditorium's stage, bringing a bit of Broadway to the audience of Lawrence elementary schoolchildren who filled the auditorium's first floor and part of the balcony.
The Alvin Ailey Repertory Ensemble was in Lawrence Friday and Saturday for evening performances. But they held an open rehearsal for schoolchildren Friday afternoon.
Ranging in age from 17 to 23, the Alvin Ailey dancers come from all over the country and stay in the ensemble for a minimum of one year and a maximum of two, said Artistic Director Sylvia Levine. The ensemble is in Alley's principal company, which makes international tours from its home in New York City.
"These dancers are on the thresholds of their
life, and they get old in a very short
time in this business."
AFTER THEIR STINTS in the ensemble,
they have gone to a legal company, to
other companies or to Hong Kong.
At the New York studio, Waters said, she brings in choreographers, both young and old, with a variety of styles and experience. Sometimes Alley contributes a dance from the principal company, but he usually doesn't work until the group until Waters has taught them the dances.
"Then he comes in and gives them the juice," she said, herself a composed figure amid the bustling city. "He doesn't like you."
University PR people and dancers entering and exiting the stage.
Wearing sweats and forest green cowboys boots, she carried a yellow legal pad and a pen. After the first half of the rehearsal, she approached a dancer to help her hone a particular movement to perfection. The two worked out on the narrow space between curtains in the wings.
"I look at everything—lighting, costumes,
dynamics, music, expression, whether the steps are
delivered with a heart."
Waters has been artistic director since 1975, the year after the ensemble was formed. Her husband and son remain in New York when she tours with the group
"We literally live together," she said. The company usually travels by bus and may ride for a day.
During one trip, she said, the bus driver yelled at a dancer who had stretched her legs out to rest.
"He just didn't understand that it's really hard for dancers to sit for a long time in a confined space."
WHEN THEY'RE NOT on the road, the dancers take classes from 12:30 a.m. to noon and rehearse from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. That's more than the dancers do during each day, not including performances.
The dancers earn a $75 weekly stipend plus payments for each performance and extra pay when they are on the road. Combined, the money approaches union wages. Waters said.
Injuries are a hazard of the business. Two of the group's 15 members had to stay in New York
"Some have had to get well in a very short time," she said. "They work very hard, and they're up against a lot of odds."
For the second half of Friday afternoon's rehearsal, the dancers switched from flashy costumes, red lights and jazz music to light,亮丽的服装, combinations of leotards,ights, filmy skirts and leg-warmers in various colors. Lights were softened and the music was classical.
Dancers entered the stage with the delicate step and smooth leap returning normal form.
THEY TOOK long drinks from a water
tankie, practiced odd moves and steps and
used to make noises.
"Tough it out, kid, you'll be all right," said the group's tall, portly business manager to one tiny dancer who finally found some tissue so she could blow her nose.
One dancer, Renee Robinson, said she felt very free when she performed onstage.
"Rehearsals are very intense and concentrated, and performance is, too," she said softly, "but with the audience there, it's something more."
CROSSING HER fingers for luck, the tauty muscled dancer said she wanted to join the principal company when she finished in the ensemble.
Jeff Ferguson, a stocky, muscular dancer, said he began perform in musicals and dramatic shows while studying psychology at Princeton University. In 1986, he went to New York after earning his degree.
"A friend of mine once said to me. 'You know,
Members of the Alvin Alley Repertory Ensemble perform during an open rehearsal for schoolchildren last Friday afternoon.
you're good at a lot of things—singing, acting, dancing—and but you're not outstanding at any of them," and I realized he was right." Ferguson enhanced the story with an expressive face.
other existence," he said in an attempt to convey the view from onstage. "It’s as if you’re behind a glass wall. You can’t see or hear the audience, are aware of them, and they can see and hear you.
"Performing is a whole other world, a whole
SUA to present special showing of 'Beatlemania'
The former Broadway show. "Beatlemania," will be coming to KU's Hoch Auditorium Oct. 20.
Tickets for the show will be $8 and $9 and are available only to KU students, faculty and staff.
"In order to get the show and get the tickets so low, we have to agree to limit it only to KU people," said Duke Divine, Student Union Activities special events chair.
"With a student I.D., you can buy two tickets," Divine said. "They will be playing in Kansas City's Memorial Hall three or four days later."
A group of four actor-musicians will perform the songs, but a large part of the product will be sold to them.
"In front will be this heavy, massive light screen, and the pictures will accompany the songs and show what was happening in the world at that time," Divine said.
on campus
TODAY
PLIano  MASTER  CLASSSES, with Leon
Brown, pianist in residence, held at
$250/mo. (Tuesdays through Sundays)
HILLEL will hold a slide show on "Interfors for
the Middle East" (East) 1:15 p.m. in Alcove
14, McGraw-Hill.
THE COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND
MUNICIPAL UNIVERSITY will meet at 4 p.m. in
the Entergy Texas Adult University
CAMPUS CRUSADE FOR CHRIST will meet at 7 p.m. in the Jawkway Room of the Room
TAU SIGMA STUDENT DANCE CLUB will meet at 7 m. p.m. in 242 Roberson Center.
THE BIBLICAL SEMINAR will discuss "Victoria and the Crown" in the Encumbration Christian Ministries Conference.
THE STOUFFER NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION
in the Conference Room of the Satellite Unit
THE STUDENTS ANTI-NUCLEAR ALLI-
MENT at 7:30 p.m. in the International
Room of the Hall
THE CAMPUS CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
will hold a Bible study and fellowship at 7:30
p.m. on Friday, July 12 from 6:30 to 8:30
in the McDowell Library.
THE DEATH AND DYING SUPPORT
GROUP will meet at 8:15 p.m. in the St.
Lawrence Catholic Center, 1631 Cressi Rent. d
The Kansan welcomes announcements of events on campus or sponsored by campus events. The events must be free and open to the public. The newsroom to the Kansan newsroom, 111 Flint Hall.
Lichtenstein Circus to perform on campus
This will be the third year the group has visited Lawrence and it will be sponsored by the St. Lawrence Catholic Center. The four-ring circ will feature trapeze acts, magic tricks and skits. In the past, as many as 14 animals have participated in the circus.
The traveling Royal Liechtenstein Circus will perform on noon until 1 p.m. Friday in front of the
Nick Weber, a Jesuit priest, has lead the circus for over 70 years. The circus is from St Joseph, Chelsea. He works with Jesuits Jose Call and Jesse
Though the performance will be free, donations will be accepted.
Student volunteers work at concerts
For the KU student who wants a feel of showbiz, Student Union Activities' Special Events has an opportunity to be part of a concert's production.
"People are upset we don't have concerts, this way they can help us," Duke Divinic said.
Irene Carr, one of three SUA advisers, said students have responded well in the past.
"You can be security, an usher and take tickets or get experience working with the light crew or stage hands," Divine said. "The thing is, students can experience and then learn how to work in Kansas City, Mo.) if they want and get it, will help with this experience behind them."
"We need 40 to 50 people for a concert in Allen," she said. "And they always have come through. We always have enough people."
Volunteers are not paid for assisting at concerts because concerts and films are the organization's primary method of making money, Divine said. The profit is given to the general fund which enables programs to be presented without admission being charged.
handles communications, had one strange experience while working with bands.
"With Todd Rundgren, they decided they wanted a black background, not the white one we provided," he said. "So the backer hands me a 810 bill and says, 'Go get all the black cards.' Have you ever tried to get that much black material at 7 o'clock Saturday night?'
Steve Ghormley, Lenexa junior, who
Divine mentioned one important additional benefit.
"Anyone ushering or working gets in free, but also they don't get paid," he said.
"And if you're really lucky," said Mike Berning, Shawne Mission senior in charge of security at the concerts, "you get to stand in front and have the head blow off by someone's sound system."
For students wishing to sign up, Divine said that form would be available at the SUA office on Monday.
"The more you work, you move up, and you get the better positions," he said.
"If you are not called for a concert, call us. Your card could get lost or misfiled, or maybe you moved and we have been calling the wrong number."
COMMONWEALTH THEATRES
HE WANTS YOU
TO HAVE HIS BABY
BURT REYNOLDS
PATERNITY
VARSITY DOWNTOWN TELEPHONE 643-1984
JOHN BRIARBILL * BLIRA
CONTINENTAL
DIVIDE PG
VE 7:30 & 8:20
KINKO'S
That's us. And our xerox machines make the best quality copies in the world. For just 4¢ a page.
And for dissertation copying, binding, or passport photos, no one else is as fast and good as us.
No brag, just fact.
804 Vermont 843-8019
International Volleyball Match
U.S.A. Women's Olympic Team vs.
Peru Women's Olympic Team
Date: Wed., Oct. 7 Where: Allen Field House Time: 7:30 p.m.
Tickets: Allen Field House Ticket Office and at the door Students $3 General Admission $4
SIGMA CHI 26th ANNUAL DERBY DAY
It's Coming Friday, October 9th The Party of the Year
This year better than ever Buy your Tickets Now $6.00 Buys
THE OZARK MOUNTAIN DAREDEVILS
KZR106
Plus
Free Beer
(with 18 I.D.) Frisbee Demonstrations
TONITE!
GOPHOMORE nite!
25 $ ^{c} $ Draws
for Soph. Class Card Holders. Class Cards available at door.