LAWRENCE JOURNAL-WORLD
AUGUST 1996 39F
Choreographer gives KU dancers Renaissance look
- The University Dance Company offers plenty of leaps and lively steps this season.
BY JAN BILES
JOURNAL-WORLD ARTS EDITTOR
Italian Renaissance reconstructions, a comedic performance of "Cinderella" and original choreography by Kansas University dance faculty are highlights of this year's University Dance Company season.
In November, dance instructor Joan Stone will present reconstructions of the Italian Renaissance master Fabrito Caroso. The dances will be accompanied by the KU Collegium Musicum under the direction of KU musicologist Paul Laird.
"Dance is an ethereal art form. A lot of the dancing masters left little behind. So it's how you interpret it. Most try to make it lively for modern audiences."
Joan Stone, KU dance instructor
Stone said she also may include dances by Negri and Lupi in the concert, set for Nov. 21-22 at the Lied Center.
"The dances are made up of duple- and triple-meter pieces," she said. "There's an alteration of slower and quick dances. There will also be a galliard (a lively dance of five steps to six beats of music)."
"... The problem will be getting the costumes. I hope to work with a costume historian," she said. "I'd like elaborate court dance costuming, with velvet and brocade. The men will have swords and hats."
Stone said there is no way to ensure that dance reconstructions are 100 percent accurate.
"Dance is an ethereal art form," she said. "A lot of the dancing masters left little behind. So it's how you interpret it. Most try to make it lively for modern audiences."
Also on the program for the Nov. 21-22 concerts are Claire Porter, who will perform "Slipping into Weather"; faculty choreography by Jerel Hilding, Muriel Cohan, Willie Lenoir and Patrick Suzeau; and a performance by the
Cohen/Suzeau Duet Company.
For the first time, the University Dance Company will present a concert with all live music performed by the Kansas University Symphony Orchestra under the direction of Brian Priestman.
The performance is slated on May 3 in the Lied Center.
Cohan also will perform "Cinderella," a comedic solo accompanied by Rossini's overture of the same name. Hilding, Lenoir, Stone and Suzeau will set their choreography to works by Albinoni, Ives, Prokofiev and Schoenberg.
"Sensemaya," composed by Silvestre Revueltas, will be the score for a dance choreographed by Hilding. "Xochipilli," composed by Carlos Chavez, will provide the music for a dance choreographed by Suzeau. Both dances were created in conjunction with KU's Fiesta de la Cultura Mexicana, which begins Feb. 14 and ends with the dance concert.
Other dance-related events include:
- Auditions for the University Dance Company are at 7 p.m. Aug.28 in Studio 242 in Robinson Center. Next semester, auditions will be at 7 p.m. Jan.22 in the same location. No solo material is required.
- In October, the KU Dance Division will hold its annual Day of Dance for junior and senior high school students. KU dance faculty will teach free master classes in ballet jazz, modern and dance improvisation from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct.5 in the Robinson Center dance studios. Class size is limited so advanced registration if required.
- University Dance Company will join with the Cohan/Suzieu Duet Company at 8 p.m. Oct.19 for an evening of choreography by Muriel Cohen and Patrick Suzeau at Johnson County Community College, 12345 College Blvd., Overland Park.
- Graduating dance majors will present their senior projects and other student choreographers will present their dances at the annual Student Choreographers Concert at 7:30 p.m. April 8 in the Elizabeth Sherbon Dance Theatre in Robinson Center.