Fresh Dance

NEW PALTZ — Take one large helping of enthusiastic student dancers, mix liberally with top-level professional dancers, fold in original choreography and theatrical staging, and what do you get? Fresh Dance, the popular and innovative dance production presented annually by the Department of Theatre Arts at the State University of New York at New Paltz. Fresh Dance is presented February 17-20 in McKenna Theatre. Special additional programming includes Fresh Dance for Young Audiences, a master class by the Dancing Crane Georgian Dance Theatre, and a post-performance forum with choreographers and designers.

With a focus on choreography and performance across a diverse spectrum of dance, Fresh Dance offers original solo and ensemble works accompanied by an array of musical accompaniment. This showcase provides student performers with the experience of working alongside highly acclaimed dancers and companies.

The 2005 program includes a variety of dance styles including modern, ballet, and tap, along with hip-hop and theatrical dance. The concert includes nine new works by faculty and students, and three works by guest artists. A unique component of Fresh Dance is the guest artists who work collaboratively with students in such areas as costume, lighting and sound design. These collaborations provide valuable experience and important contacts for design collaborations after graduation.

The concert features professional dance companies DanceRink and The Dancing Crane Georgian Dance Company.

DanceRink is committed to the creation and performance of new dance and theater: exploring how these two worlds merge and influence each other to form a singular dramatic expression. Choreographer/dancer Scott Rink and dancer Lenna Parr will perform Here We Are. This work was recently featured at the American College Dance Festival Kennedy Center Gala. Scott Rink is a principal dancer with the Lar Lubovitch Dance Company.

With past performances, experimental director/choreographer Scott Rink has been credited for “an unusual hybrid genre in which dance is part of a larger theatrical whole” (The Village Voice), and for using the dramatic text as a musical score where “patches of pure dance heighten dramas like light shining from beneath colored glass” (The New York Times).

Combining the pristine beauty of a cappella singing and the thrilling feats of acrobatic dancing, The Dancing Crane Georgian Dance Company will present music and dance from the Republic of Georgia. Performed in traditional costumes and with musical instruments, the folk dance forms from this mountainous region have a unique style rivaling the ballet in their demanding and refined technique. The company will offer dances from Adjaria and areas in southwestern Georgia, along the Turkish border; a powerful men’s dance from the mountain region of Kasbegi; a set of strong and vibrant dances from the mountain region of Mtiuleti, and a traditional song by soloist Saza Sidamonidze.

Fresh Dance for Young Audiences
Saturday, February 19 at 2pm
This shortened version (35 minutes) of the full-length concert is especially for young audiences. A Master-of-Ceremonies will introduce each work and talk about components of the dance. Following the performance, audience members are invited on stage to meet the dancers. Subscribers to the Mainstage Season receive complimentary tickets to this event.

Fresh Dance Schedule and Tickets
February 17, 18, 19 at 8pm
Feb. 20 at 2pm

February 19 at 2pm Fresh Dance for Young Audiences
February 19 at 4pm The Dancing Crane Master Class
February 19 after 8pm performance Post-performance forum with choreographers and designers.

Tickets are available online at www.newpaltz.edu/theatre and at the Box Office located in Parker Theatre (845-257-3880). Box Office hours are: Monday – Friday 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 7, (tickets are also available one hour prior to performance on weekdays and two hours prior to performance on weekends).

Tickets: $16 general, $14 students & seniors.
February 19: Fresh Dance for Young Audiences, $5.00 reserved seating.
Special Offer: If, after attending the performance for young audiences, you find that your young companion would enjoy the full show, just bring your ticket stubs to the box office and exchange them for $8 tickets to another Fresh Dance performance.

The Dancing Crane Georgian Dance Company Master Class
Saturday, February 19, 4pm
free and open to all
Please register in advance by calling the box office 257-3880.

For further information call 845-257-3872 or visit the web www.newpaltz.edu/theatre

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