Choreographer Ronald Brown leads dance workshop
Released: November 28, 2007
On several occasions, University of Wisconsin-Whitewater dance students have had the chance to take part in master classes taught by professional dance companies that come to perform on campus. They will have another opportunity this year when "Evidence" comes to the university Nov. 28.
Approximately 20-35 UW-Whitewater dance students will take part in a master class led by Ronald K. Brown. "This master class is great and will expose students to a diversity of styles and traditions. Exposure to different styles of choreography is very important to students studying in a community as small as Whitewater," Dance Program Coordinator Robin Pettersen said.
"Master classes can be very beneficial for dancers," Junior Katie Colombo said. "It gives you the chance to learn different styles and improve your technique. It helps to get corrections from a variety of people instead of from your professor week after week. It's a nice change of pace."
Pettersen added, "The workshops with touring professionals generate excitement and intensity that carry into the student's work here on campus. Students get a sense of what the technical training is for a professional dancer in the workshop, then they get to see it applied in performance."
In its 20th year, Ronald K. Brown's "Evidence" focuses on the seamless blend of traditional African dance, modern, ballet and hip-hop dance styles to tell stories about what is important about the human experience. "I want people to have their spirits lifted. I am interested in sharing perspectives through modern dance, theater and kinetic storytelling. I want my work to be evidence of these perspectives," Brown said.
Ben Strand, development specialist and Ken Kohberger, director of the Young Auditorium, received a $500 grant from the New England Foundation for the Arts National Dance Project to bring "Evidence" to the Young Auditorium Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. In addition to the performance, a discussion and dialogue will be presented as part of the Sound Bites Lecture Series held in the Fern Young Terrace at 6:30 p.m. that evening.
This program directly addresses UW-Whitewater's Strategic Plan to "broaden accessibility to education and services through innovative and responsive curricula, instructional delivery methods and co-curricular programs. It also focuses on continuous improvement of programs and services through the assessment of learning outcomes and evaluation of the effectiveness of university services." "Evidence" will also promote UW-Whitewater's image as a diverse, respected and empowering institution of higher learning.
To purchase tickets call (262) 472-2222 or visit the Young Auditorium box office Web site at http://tickets.uww.edu.
- Laura Plamann,plamannle06@uww.edu
