​Dance students rehearse for a version of guest artist Luc Vanier's
piece, "Tripitych," that was created for Danstage 2012.
5/1/2012
 

Danstage 2012 at UW-Stevens Point

Guest artist Luc Vanier’s acclaimed work, “Triptych,” will highlight an evening of dynamic and original dance May 4–6 and 9–11 as part of Danstage 2012 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

The Theatre and Dance Department will also premiere four new works by UW-Stevens Point dance faculty during the performances, held in Jenkins Theatre of the Noel Fine Arts Center beginning Friday, May 4, at 7:30 p.m. Additional performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 5; Wednesday through Friday, May 9–11, and at a 2 p.m. matinee on Sunday, May 6.

Tickets are $17 for adults, $16 for senior citizens and $12 for youth. UW-Stevens Point students with a valid ID may purchase advance tickets for $4.50 per show or be admitted free the day of the show, if seats are still available. Tickets may be purchased at the University Information and Tickets Office in the Dreyfus University Center concourse, by calling 715-346-4100 or 800-838-3378, or online at www.uwsp.edu/centers/uit/ordering.asp. Visa, MasterCard and Discover are accepted.

Vanier, an assistant professor of dance at UW-Milwaukee, worked with UW-Stevens Point students during a residency in February and restaged his compelling 2008 work, “Triptych.” This version is a distilled nine minutes from the original 40-minute piece, integrating Chris Burns’ music and Leslie Vansen’s visuals. Its movement is focused primarily on allowing the body to arch to its full capacity.

In addition, Danstage 2012 will include:

  • “Round the Corner” is a collaboration with Dance Professor Joan Karlen and Assistant Professor of Music Sean Connors. Nine dancers will follow the cantata structure of seven movements of Paul Lansky’s metallic score “Threads,” performed by the Percussion Ensemble, directed by Connors.

  • “Inhabitants of Tall Grasses,” by Associate Professor of Dance Michael Estanich, is danced amid a video installation of prairie grasses as a meditation on the simplicity and beauty of nature. A trio of dancers reflects the images of birds and relationships between lines, curves and patterns through space.

  • “Homeland,” also by Estanich, explores the ideas of home through 12 dancers using personal stories and music from his Appalachian roots. A 15-foot Tree of Light investigates the use of a sculptural environment.

  • “The Sum is Greater,” created by Associate Professor of Dance Jeannie Hill, Professor of Mathematical Sciences Cindy McCabe and Women’s Basketball Assistant Coach Diane Hawkins, merges repeating cycles and ball handling skills into aural and visual patterns in a danced basketball game. Members of the UW-Stevens Point women’s basketball team are featured.

 For more detail and commentary on the show, visit the Danstage 2012 blog at uwspdanstage.blogspot.com.