2008 Woodie Awards
Students, faculty perform at Folly Theater
Nicole English
Issue date: 1/23/06 Section: Culture
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First on the bill was a solo by well-known Kansas City performer and choreographer Tuesday Faust, who performed her own work to the music of Mum in a billowy white costume designed by artist Peregrine Honig of Fahrenheit Gallery.
Edgy and innovative, the piece integrated the use of video performance projected on a screen, created by video artist Nate Bogert. The resulting effect had Faust performing in counter-point with herself. This creative use of integrated video performance was well-received by the audience.
"I loved the interaction with the camera," said UMKC Conservatory of Music graduate student Christina Walker. "It was a really interesting piece."
The next number was a repeat performance of a dance piece choreographed by UMKC dance professor Sabrina Madison-Cannon. Titled "Come Together" after the Beatles song with music by Phillip Glass and Crosspulse, this piece is an innovative, all-male ensemble. Featured dancers are UMKC's Ron Belger (sophomore), Matt Carney (junior), Anthony DeCarlis (junior), Ben Biswell (junior), Chris Page (freshman) and Jered Solace (junior).
"It was an honor to perform at the Folly Theatre, surrounded by so many amazing dancers," said Page.
"Come Together" is a brilliant example of male ensemble choreography, so often overlooked in mainstream concert work. It is rough and athletic masculine dancing at its best, and is emotionally expressive in a bare, gritty way.
"It was energetic yet hypnotic," said KKFI radio personality Michael Hogg. "It draws you in, yet it was very rough and tumble at the same time."
The audience demanded a double set of bows from the performers, almost unprecedented so early in a concert.
"It was a wonderful experience," said Ron Belger, sophomore. "There was so much adrenaline coming from the audience."
The next piece, "Lying, Cheating, Stealing," was choreographed by Susan Rieger, artistic director for Aha! Dance Theatre, with music by David Lang. The traditional barefoot modern dance ensemble clad in colorful attire included UMKC instructor Ann Shaughnessy Gordon. The piece featured an angular style of modern along with abstract music.
