Regional Choreography Festival

THURSDAY

February 23 | Lied Center
University of Kansas
1600 Stewart Drive
Lawrence, KS 66045 (785) 864-2787

5:00-6:00:
• Registration and hors d’oeuvres

6:00-7:30:
•Dinner on your own

7:30pm
•Jin Xing Dance Theatre Lied Center of Kansas, University of Kansas

Chinese choreographer Jin Xing’s path from army colonel to award-winning dancer is one of discovery, strength, metamorphosis and triumph, and this journey is reflected in the intense beauty and powerful grace of her company’s members. Having studied in the United States with Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham and José Limón among others, Xing has won national and international awards for her innovative and deeply personal choreography. Founded in 1999, Shanghai’s Jin Xing Dance Theatre mesmerizes international audiences with its contemporary mix of Chinese traditionalism and modern dance. (Admission included in fee.)

FRIDAY

February 24 | Lawrence Arts Center

8:00-9:00:
•Registration with continental breakfast (Lobby)

9:00-10:30:
•Technique and warm-up with Ellie Goudie-Averill

10:30-12:00:
• Workshop 1: Elizabeth Bergman, Compositional Improvisation This workshop will employ both poetic and anatomical images to bring new depths of awareness to the spontaneous decision making that is Compositional Improvisation. Beginning with a solo warm-up, the participants will work in pairs and as an ensemble to create/compose in the moment choreography. We will explore different constraints and/or "scores" in the hopes that these rules/structures will lead us to movement and choreographic choices we wouldn't have made habitually.

Workshop 2: Pamela Riddle, Hip Hop Styles from House to Bugaloo Introduction to an array of Hip Hop Styles from House to Bugaloo. Infusing the latest dance styles that can be applied in the pure club setting to the stage.

12:00-12:45:
• Box/ Bag lunch
Discussion: Survival Ideas for a Small Dance Company (in a down economy)

1:00-2:30:
• Friday Adjudicated Showcase

2:30-4:00:
• Workshop 3: Christine Knoblauch-O’Neal Dancing Character: Who am I and what am I doing?
This workshop encourages the exploration and discovery of character-driven movement. The dancers are introduced to a series of exercises to further their abilities to think through and around character-specific gestural motifs within ballet and modern dance. In addition, the exercises focus on improvisational skills in developing both gestural and vocal responses to specific settings or context. The outcome of the workshop is to present the dancer/choreographer with paths to exploration when considering works based in narrative, gesture, or situation.

Workshop 4: Jane Gotch, GYROKINESIS® (Studio) GYROKINESIS®, originally called “Yoga for dancers” systematically and gently works the spine, joints, and muscles through rhythmic and undulating exercises. Fluidity is the key. Postures are not held, but are smoothly and harmoniously connected through the use of breath. Special attention is paid to increase the flexibility of the spine, resulting in a well-proportioned body significantly less prone to injuries. GYROKINESIS® invigorates and re-educates the body to move with fluidity, relaxation, and power.

4:00-5:00:
• Dinner Break

5:00-9:00pm
• FINAL FRIDAYS IN DOWNTOWN LAWRENCE
Ellie Goudie-Averill: “Instant Dances: Our Common (Object)ive”
Instant Dances Performances by Choreography Festival attendees
For Final Friday, festival participants will collaborate to create instant dances. In this playful and challenging workshop, festival artists will come together to create original dances ... in only half an hour! Each group of dance makers will be given the same set of items/props and a "toolkit" for instant dance making. The resulting dances will be performed for Final Friday visitors and will show the personal and original ways diverse choreographers grapple with the same objects and create together!

5:00-6:00pm:
•Warm-up and Introduction

6:00-7:00pm:
•Creating

7:00-9:00pm:
•Performances by participants

SATURDAY

February 25 | Lawrence Arts Center

8:00-9:00:
•Late Registration

9:00-10:15:
•Technique and warm-up with Beau Hancock

10:30-12:00:
•Saturday Adjudicated Showcase #2

12:00-1:00:
• Box or Bag lunch
Panel Discussion: What is New Dance?
Elizabeth Bergman, Janet Charleston, Beau Hancock, Maura Garcia, Jane Gotch, Ellie Goudie-Averill

1:15-2:45:
• Workshop 1: Maura Garcia, Movement Response
This workshop explores dance as a means of reacting to a particular phenomenon. Using guided choreography exercises, participants are encouraged to express their ideas about (fill in the blank) through movement. Word association, personal histories, text, connections between the body and objects and guttural reactions are some of the choreographic tools used to enable participants to create their own dances. Movement Response workshops breathes new life into whatever topic we are dealing with, be it history, artwork, math, science, plants or other humans. People leave with a deeper understanding of the subject and a newly developed appreciation of their own creativity.

Workshop 2: Ellie Goudie-Averill
Finding your Center, Finding the Floor -- Stop, Drop, and Roll
In this highly physical and fun class, dancers will explore ways to give in to and defy gravity. We will cultivate drive and weight release as we work towards efficiency of movement and dynamic shifts.

3:00-4:30:
• Workshop 3: Jennifer Ellis, Afro-fusion
Afro-fusion is an up tempo class that seeks to introduce various dances of the African Diaspora. The movement is a fusion of West African, Afro-Caribbean, House, and modern dance techniques.

Workshop 4: Jerel Hilding, Advanced Ballet
Kansas University professor and former Joffrey Ballet principle dancer, Jerel Hilding teaches an outstanding ballet class. If you’re performing tonight, this may be just what you want to prepare for your evening.

5:00-7:00:
• Light supper and cocktails

7:30 pm:
• FINAL PERFORMANCE
Featuring works by Ellie Goudie-Averill, Janet Charleston, Cohen/Suzeau Company and selected works from the Adjudicated Showcases.

Candi Baker,
Dance Program Director
candi@lawrenceartscenter.org
785.843.2787

Ric Averill
Artistic Director
raverill@lawrenceartscenter.org
785.843.2787