Noel Night Fun

CompanyOne and DanceAfrica Detroit

Two performances.  Two full houses.  Despite cold, windy, snowy weather, CompanyOne's 2007-2008 debut was fantastic.  African, lindy-hop, tap, and hip-hop with drums and singing by the 15-member ensemble plus director Karen Prall and her assistant, daughter Basira,  had both audiences sitting on the edge of their seats.

This program, set to tour area schools in early 2008, helps connect artistic influences from the past to popular forms of today.  Schools receive multimedia curriculum guides, so students not only enjoy the performance, but can continue to learn in the classroom.

Ballet at the DIA

Families crowded the Kresge gallery on the second floor of the DIA to watch our dancers perform a series of variations, improvisations, and Megan Brunke's choreography.  Well over 300 audience members in a standing-room-only situation smiled through the leaps, turns, and energy of our performers, who, after the 30-minute performance, led the group out of the DIA to the carol-singing celebration of Noel Night.

Noel Night and More!

Dancers About Town

Look around Downtown Detroit this week, and you're likely to see one of our dancers. We'll be performing at the 22nd Annual Governor's Awards for Arts and Culture on Thursday, November 29. You'll recognize us by the improvisational dancing and costumes.

Noel Night will feature DanceAfrica Detroit, performed in the Maggie Allesee Studio Theatre. CompanyOne members will bring loads of energy to your holiday season. Two shows, 7 and 8 pm, $5 general admission.

We'll also be at the Detroit Institute of the Arts, performing a contemporary ballet by Megan Brunke. What a week!

Thanks to Maggie Allesee, who not only led in helping us produce and host Meg Paul as she set Twyla Tharp's Torelli, but also took pictures to share!

Busy Weeks

Meg Paul Sets Torelli
What do you get when a world-class dancer and teacher sets a world-class piece? Sore and satisfied dancers. Meg Paul, former Twyla Tharp dancer and director of dance at the Music Hall in Detroit, has been working with dance majors for an intense period of learning and rehearsing Tharp's pioneering perspective on traditional dance vocabulary. All of the balance and flexibility from years of technical training are challenged by tilts, shakes, and twists, as these dancers prepare to perform this piece. There will be an informal performance Tuesday, November 20, at 12:30 p.m. in the Maggie Allesee Studio Dance Theatre (3rd floor, Old Main), where viewers will get a chance to see the process and a sneak preview. The piece will premiere in March 2008 at the Bonstelle Theatre.

Faculty Travel
Jeff Rebudal has just returned from Hawaii, where he set Phillipinese on dancers at the University of Hawaii. Eva Powers has been at a workshop/conference for Stott Pilates learning about injury prevention and rehabilitation. Ray Robinson has been at the American Council on Education workshop for Department Chairs.

Fall Concert Success!

Our first annual Fall Bonstelle Concert was a success in many ways. Who would have thought letting an audience in on the secrets of choreography and art-making would be so appealing? Dances in the Making: An Evening of Works in Progress featured audio, video, and live presentations illuminating the choreographic process. Here is what people have said:

"...the collaboration [with Art] provided an added dimension to the evening."

"You have a lot to be proud of in both your dancers and choreographer..."

"...we are spreading the word to our friends to come down to Wayne for some terrific dance programs."

It takes a department or two or three to make a concert--congratulations and thanks to all who participated.

Moving Along in the Semester

Things are moving well here in the Maggie Allesee Department of Dance. Our current project is, of course, preparing for our fall concert. On Friday, October 5th, we will host a showing for students and faculty to determine our program. One really exciting development is the invitation to our colleagues in the Art and Art History Department to join us in this and future ventures. They will be participating in and contributing to the concert at the Bonstelle Theater, and we hope this leads to many collaborations in the future.

Our faculty are facilitating great classes, and engaged outside of the department as well. Jeff Rebudal is presenting research as part of the Brown Bag Colloquium Series in Humanities, Dr. Doug Risner has recently secured a deal to publish a book, Linda Simmons is out in the community developing opportunities for dance with a research grant, and Eva Powers continues to move forward as an expert in Stott Pilates and Gyrotonics.

There is so much more, so call, email, or come visit to see what we are doing!

Welcome Back!

After the whirlwind of a faculty retreat, Majors' Day, and Convocation, the Maggie Allesee Department of Dance is leaping, turning, rolling--you name it--into the 2007-2008 school year. While the news of budget cuts reminds us of the responsibility we have to be frugal, we are fortunate to have been able to provide many of our majors with substantial scholarships.

We welcome two new instructors to our family--Ali Woerner, who with a successful performing career and an MFA from the University of Michigan will be teaching both modern and jazz techniques; and Thayer Jonutz, teaching modern technique after years of full-time performing. These two join our diverse and talented faculty--check out our profiles at http://dance.wayne.edu/faculty_profiles.php.

Finally, I am pleased to join the department as Interim Chair. Dr. Doug Risner has shifted into a faculty role where he can focus on teaching in the classroom and studio, continue his research agenda, and help lead the department from a different vantage point. Thanks to him for his service. I'm excited for this year--great guests, an accreditation visit, and a fantastic group of majors. Come see why Wayne State University is the place to dance!

Week 16 | April 23-29

Student Representatives
Congratulations to Melissa Phillips, newly elected Student Representative in Dance representing the 2007-08 junior class. Melissa joins Senior Natalie Soave and Sophomore Marlo Mysliwiec as department student reps.

Volunteers for Summer Dance Orientation
Three to four dance major volunteers are needed for assisting with New Dance Majors’ Summer Orientation on Wednesday, June 13. Interested dance majors would need to be available from 1:30-5:00PM on this day. Please email dance@wayne.edu if you’re interested.

Call for Big Sisters 2007-08
Did you enjoy having a big sis in the dance department this year? If you did and you’d like to be a part of the Big Sis Program for 2007-08, please email Dr. Risner at drisner@wayne.edu

Fall Dance Majors Day
Mark Your Calendars Now! Fall Dance Major Day will be held on Wednesday, August 29th beginning at 12:15PM for current majors. The afternoon will include a Guest Master Class and Dance Company Auditions for 2007-2008. For majors requesting technique placement, please plan to attend the 9:30AM Placement Class.

Spring Dance Classes
The dance department is offering a number of classes this Spring Term that may be of interest to dance majors. Addison O’Day is teaching a combination class of Ballet II & III; Megan Brunke will be offering Modern II & III in a similar combination class. DNC 2400: Introduction to African Dance is taught by Karen Prall and Ray Robinson returns to teach two sections of DNC 2000: Introduction to Dance. See the Spring Schedule for days and times.

What are you doing this summer?
Are you attending a summer dance intensive or workshop this year? Please let us know where you’re going and what you’re studying. We’ll publish a list this Fall. Email your details to dance@wayne.edu

Copperfoot Award Winners!
Linda Simmons, on behalf of the dance faculty, presented 2007 Copperfoot Awards on Sunday, April 22 to the following students: Rachael Harbert & Rachel Swykert for “Within Three Walls, and Hannah Risner for “Amaurosis.” Guest artist Copperfoot Awards were awarded to Melissa Allen for “Tango,” Sean Curran for “Coda,” and Michelle Marzejon for “Promiscuous Boy.”

Week 15 | April 16-22

Need Advising for Fall 2007?
If any current Dance Majors still need advising, please contact Dr. Risner for an appointment time (drisner@wayne.edu). Appointments can be scheduled during the week of April 23 through May 2. If you are unsure of degree requirements or have questions about your Fall 07 schedule, please make an appointment before you leave for summer!

Lecturer Search Update
Candidates for the Lecturer position in dance will be visiting WSU for interviews and presenting classes during Spring Term. A long list of candidates has been identified from which finalists for campus visits will be selected. All dance majors are encouraged to participate in finalists’ classes; there will also be time set aside for students to speak with the candidates. Tentative dates for campus visits are May 14-May 22. Please watch your email and check the danceblog for full schedule information.

Student Representative Elections This Week
The nominees for new Student Representative, to be elected during ballet classes on Tuesday, April 17, are: Melissa Gruenberg, Melissa Phillips, and Lydia Porter. Current representatives for 07-08 are: Natalie Soave, Seniors; and Marlo Mysliwiec, Sophomores. Elections will be held in DNC 1220, 2210, & 2220. If you are not registered for any of these classes, please see a student representative to cast your ballot.

Repertory Classes for Fall!
Please note the following DNC 5800: Dance Repertory classes and faculty/guest artist assignments for this coming Fall Term 2007:
DNC 5800 Section 001: Friday 1:30-2:50PM Local Guest Artist
DNC 5800 Section 002: TBA Allesee Artist in Residence (DO NOT REGISTER FOR THIS SECTION YET)
DNC 5800 Section 003: Monday/Wednesday 5:45-7:20PM Doug Risner with Ray Robinson
DNC 5800 Section 004: Monday/Wednesday 4:00-5:25PM Jeff Rebudal
DNC 5800 Section 005: Monday/Wednesday 4:00-5:25PM Ballet Repertory (TBA)

Talent Scholars Council: Capstone Concessions & Raffle
Talent Scholars will once again be selling concessions and holding a raffle during Capstone Concerts this weekend. Martha Dobbs MarfaD7125@aol.com and Denita Gregory dig.gregory@gmail.com are serving as coordinators. Watch for information or contact Martha and Denita to give your assistance. They need your help!

Copperfoot Awards Planning Committee
The 2007 Copperfoot Awards will be held this coming Sunday, April 22 at 6PM following the Capstone Concert Strike. Planning Committee members are Felicia Rose, Beth Stolzenfeld, Alex Martin, Della Hamby, Samantha Marentette, Raina Carroll & Hannah Risner. Assistance with food, program, and publicity is needed. Contact Felicia at FeliciaRose331@hotmail.com as soon as possible to help make this year’s event a success.

Week 14 | April 9-15

ONSTAGE! Final Tour Dates in US & Canada
Dance Africa Detroit, the current record-breaking touring production of ONSTAGE! Dance Theatre for Youth, performs its last two touring dates of the year on April 13th and April 20th concluding in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. Produced by WSU CompanyONE and directed by dance faculty Karen Prall & Stephen Stone, this outstanding outreach production has reached over 15,000 students throughout the community of Detroit, Detroit Metro, the region and Canada. If you weren’t able to book the tour this year, don’t worry because Dance Africa Detroit II is coming to your school next year! For advanced booking, please contact dance@wayne.edu for tour reservations. Again, here’s to the best touring dance production in the region!

Need to Satisfy Your Computer Literacy (CL) Requirement?
FPC 1100 is for You
For Freshmen & Sophomore Dance Majors (and others): Take your required Computer Literacy (CL) course this Spring Term 2007 in the new course FPC 1100: Computing in the Arts (2 CR). Jon Anderson has created an all-new online course specifically for students in Dance, Music, Theatre and Art/Art History in our College to satisfy this university requirement. Note the course prefix is FPC. Send any questions to jon.anderson@wayne.edu

Dance Majors/Minors Meeting this Friday
This Friday, April 13 from 3:00-3:50PM, will be the final Dance Majors/Minors Meeting of the 06-07 academic year in Studio B. Please mark your calendars. Dance majors (Brandy Blaha, Michelle Briscoe, Lauren Cansler, Terainer Carroll, and Della Hamby) who attended the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) conference in Toronto, Canada will present their experiences and Dance Student Representatives will be nominated at this meeting. All dance majors are required to attend. Send your agenda items or comments to Natalie Soave at nsoave@wayne.edu

Senior Capstone Showing
The final Senior Capstone showing for faculty committee members will be held on Friday, April 13 at 1:35PM in the Maggie Allesee Studio Theatre. All faculty committee members are encouraged to attend and give feedback. Winter Term Seniors take the stage on April 21 & 22 for the Emerging Choreographers: Senior Capstone Dance Concert in the Maggie Allesee Studio Theatre. New works will be premiered by Brandy Blaha, Emily Cassel, Sara Chambors, Meghan Conway, Kim Curtis, Della Hamby, Brittany Guinane, and Hannah Risner. Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to performance: $12 General Admission; $6 Student ID/Seniors. Come support the graduating seniors and their work! Click here for the Press Release.

Copperfoot Awards 2007 Need Your Help!
The 2007 Copperfoot Awards planning committee needs to your help. This event has taken a number of different formats over the past five decades, but always celebrates the outstanding achievements of the dance program and also pokes some fun as well. This is a student-centered event (planning, preparation, execution) and needs your input. If you are interested in being a member of the planning committee, please contact Hannah Risner hrisner@wayne.edu or Raina Carroll at at2106@wayne.edu as soon as possible.

Pilates Mat Training: Apply Now
The dance department will host an intensive Pilates mat training intensive in the department from May 9-18, fee: $950. This mat intensive is preparation for Pilates mat certification, contact Eva Powers eva.powers@wayne.edu for further information. A limited number of $300 dance major scholarships are available. Contact Dr. Risner for scholarship information. Space is limited!

Week 13 | April 2-8

It’s Showcase Week
WSU Dance Workshop (DW) presents SHOWCASE on Friday, April 6 and Saturday, April 7 at 7:30PM. Directed by DW faculty member Megan Brunke, this semester’s informal concert features student choreographed works, as well as Sean Curran’s dance CODA, commissioned by WSU and performed by a new student cast. SHOWCASE is presented in the Maggie Allesee Studio Theatre, Old Main 3317; there is no charge for the performance. A free will offering is asked; a bake sale fundraiser benefiting DW will also be held. Limited seating, so come early!

Spring/Summer Dance Student Workers Needed
The dance department seeks five to six student workers for Spring/Summer work in publicity, promotion, mailings, recruitment and audition preparation. Hours (9AM-5PM) are flexible; hourly rate is $7. If interested, send your exact day/time availability for May 7- June 20 and August 1-17 to dance@wayne.edu

Emerging Choreographers: Senior Capstone Dance Concert
Winter Term Seniors take the stage on April 21 & 22 for the Emerging Choreographers: Senior Capstone Dance Concert in the Maggie Allesee Studio Theatre. New works will be premiered by Brandy Blaha, Emily Cassel, Sara Chambors, Meghan Conway, Kim Curtis, Della Hamby, Brittany Guinane, and Hannah Risner. Tickets are available at the door 30 minutes prior to performance: $12 General Admission; $6 Student ID/Seniors. Come support the graduating seniors and their work! Click here for the Press Release.

Copperfoot Awards 2007
As a longstanding dance department tradition, the 2007 Copperfoot Awards planning committee needs to be formed. This event has taken a number of different formats over the past five decades, but always celebrates the outstanding achievements of the dance program and also pokes some fun as well. This is a student-centered event (planning, preparation, execution) and needs your input. If you are interested in being a member of the planning committee, please contact Hannah Risner hrisner@wayne.edu or Raina Carroll at at2106@wayne.edu as soon as possible.

Pilates Mat Training
The dance department will host an intensive Pilates mat training intensive in the department from May 9-18. This mat intensive is preparation for Pilates mat certification. Please watch for an email with additional information on the Dance Majors Listserv; also contact Eva Powers eva.powers@wayne.edu for further information.

Final Dance Majors/Minors Meeting for 2006-07
Friday, April 13 from 3:00-3:50PM will be the final Dance Majors/Minors Meeting of the 06-07 academic year in Studio B. Please mark your calendars. Dance majors who attended the International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) conference in Toronto, CA will present their experiences and Dance Student Representatives will be nominated at this meeting. All dance majors are required to attend. Send your agenda items or comments to Natalie Soave at nsoave@wayne.edu

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WEEK 12 | March 26-30

Spring Concert!
Congratulations to Spring Dance Concert dancers, choreographers and directors! Please remember to turn in your Ticket Drive envelopes to your Student representative as soon as possible. Thanks to all for making this year's concert a success.

Annual Review Week
Reminder: This is Annual Review Week and continues through next Wednesday, April 4. Please see your posted appointment times during DNC 4010, DNC 3010, and DNC 2020 on the Studio B Bulletin Board.

Meg Paul is Back
Meg Paul, director of Dance at the Music Hall, will return to the Dance Department on Friday, March 30: 9:35-11:30am to give a Master Class Audition Workshop. DNC 4010 and DNC 3010 will be combined. Other dance majors are encouraged to attend as well.

Check Out: World Dance Reviews
Go to http://www.worlddancereviews.com/, a web page designed to provide critical reviews of dance performances on a worldwide basis, including professional companies and university dance programs. Read these reviews absolutely free of any charge and write and submit reviews of your own.

WEEK 11 | March 18-25

Spring Concert Ticket Drive: Sell, Sell, Sell
As the Spring Dance Concert approaches, there’s only one week left in the Spring Concert Ticket Drive. See your Student Representative for more tickets. Remember that the two highest selling students receive generous Activity Awards!

Choreographers Dinner
The 7th Annual Choreographers Dinner will be held at Whitney restaurant prior to Friday’s Spring Concert performance. The Choreographers, founded by Maggie Allesee in 2001, supports the work of the department’s students and faculty through fundraising for scholarships and travel. The evening begins with a wine reception, full course dinner, brief program and includes both a concert ticket and select setting at the concert for $100 (all inclusive). For reservations and for additional information, contact Eva Powers at eva.powers@wayne.edu

Dance Majors Annual Review: DUE Monday, March 19th
Reminder: All Dance Majors must submit their Annual Review Portfolio by Monday, March 19th at 5PM in the Dance Office in hard copy. Click on the link above for the template for the portfolio (also available at www.dance.wayne.edu under Student Resources).

Advising Week for Fall 07 Registration
If you did not schedule an Advising Appointment with your dance advisor last week (you should have), please do so immediately. Dance Advising is mandatory for all current Dance Majors.

Tech Week for Spring Concert
Please plan accordingly for your tech times and dress times this week. The entire tech schedule is posted on the Production Board. Being at your tech and dress is your responsibility. If you have questions speak to your faculty choreographer/director immediately. Get good rest, eat right (this is not the time to start a crash diet!) and be where you need to be, when you need to be.