Collaborative Dance Concert To Feature Faculty Works

Dancers from Melissa Wynn's dance company, the Huntsville-based Dangerous Lorraines DanceTheater, perform her piece, "Walk."

The SHSU dance program will offer an array of contemporary dance works performed by students from various schools around the state, as well as feature two professional dance companies during ETC: The East Texas Collaborative Dance Concert Friday and Saturday (Nov. 10-11).

Performances will be held at 8 p.m. both days, with a 2 p.m. Saturday performance, in the SHSU Dance Theater, located in Academic Building III.

The faculty-choreographed concert is a collaborative effort from dance departments from SHSU, the University of Houston, Texas A&M University, Stephen F. Austin University, North Harris College and Prairie View A&M University.

Three SHSU faculty members will premiere their choreographed pieces during the concert.

Dance professor Cindy Gratz’s “Blue Fugue,” is “an expression of feelings and recollections of having a near-death experience,” according to assistant professor of dance Melissa Wynn.

“Created to music of J.S. Bach, as well as traditional Kabuki, this work for eight SHSU dancers utilizes spoken text written by the choreographer and a moving bed that symbolizes the journey from a quadriplegic state to regaining the ability to walk,” Wynn said.

Assistant professor Kista Tucker’s student work, “Road Home,” addresses the question, “Where is home?”
Choreographed to original music by New York composer Marc Mellits, the extended work of eight sections is scheduled to be performed by the SHSU students to live music in three different locations in New York later, Wynn said.

Wynn will present “Elements,” an “ethereal work incorporating video projections and various percussion instruments played by the dancers” that “paints a mysterious landscape that is at times naturalistic with occasional forays into the otherworldliness of a techno-lounge oasis,” she said.

Works from other universities include North Harris College’s re-working of “Duet for Two Soloists,” performed by choreographer Pamela Heard and student Courtney Cleveland to the music of Harry Partch; the University of Houston’s “Just Us,” choreographed by Karen Stokes for nine dancers; and choreography by SHSU alumna Danyale Taylor who is now teaching at Prairie View A&M, Elizabeth Rhodes from Stephen F. Austin University and Molly Snell from Texas A&M University.

In addition, professional dance companies, the Kista Tucker Dance Company and the Huntsville-based Dangerous Lorraines DanceTheater, will also perform.

“The ETC Concert promises to be a stimulating representation of the unseen talent among the East Texas dance communities,” Wynn said.

Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for seniors and students.

For more information, contact Wynn at 936.294.1588 or dnc_mlw@shsu.edu, or for ticket information call 936.294.3988.

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SHSU Media Contact: Jennifer Gauntt
Nov. 3, 2006
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