December Departmental Tech Schedule

Ray Mercer Informance: 9/23 at 12:30pm

Ray Mercer is back!

Informance~ Thursday September 23, 2010 at 12:30pm

Maggie Allesee artist in residence fall 2010

Ray Mercer, Maggie Allesee artist in residence for fall 2010, cast his new work – ‘Til Death Due Us Part-- for inclusion in the fall departmental concert. Congratulations to Aaron S., Jordan H., Nicholas C., Brandon R., David S., Ellisa M., Megan D., Michelle C., Amber G., Michelle B. and understudies James V., Tarra G., Amber M., who will learn the piece this week and present an informal showing on Thursday, September 23 at 12:30 PM in the Maggie Allesee Studio Theatre.

Mercer began his dance training/performing at the University of New Orleans, Deeply Rooted Theater (Chicago), the Alvin Ailey American Dance School, and Broadway Dance Center. He has danced with the Detroit City Dance Company, Deeply Rooted Dance Theatre in Chicago and other companies. His choreography has been set on the Dallas Black Dance Theater, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, Dancers Responding to AIDS/New York and he has worked with Aretha Franklin, Rod Stewart, Stephanie Mills, Kevin “Iega” Jeff, George Faison and Louis Johnson. Mercer was awarded Broadway's Gypsy of the Year in 2005. Currently he is performing on Broadway with the cast of The Lion King.

We are delighted to have Mr. Mercer return to work with our Wayne State students!

3^rd floor #3317 Old Main 4841 Cass Detroit, MI 48201

313.577.4273 for more information

Ray Mercer - Audition and Residency Schedule

Audition and Residency Schedule for

Ray Mercer

September 19th - 23rd, 2010

Sunday, Sept 19th

• AUDITION - 10am
• Lunch break - 12pm
• Casted dancers should plan to work from 10am until 9pm

Guest Instruction and Rehearsal Schedule:

Monday, Sept 20th

• 9:35am-11:20am 3010 & 4010 Technique
• 11:45-1:20pm 2010 Technique
• 11:45-1:20pm 1010/1020 Observe session
• 4-10pm Rehearsal

Tuesday, Sept 21st

• 9:35-11:20am Ballet 3200 & 4200
• 12:30-1:50pm Ballet 1220
• 4-10pm Rehearsal

Wednesday, Sept 22nd

• 9:35am-11:20am 3010 & 4010 Technique
• 11:45-1:20pm 2010 Technique
• 11:45-1:20pm 1010/1020 Observe session
• 4-10pm Rehearsal

Thursday, Sept 23rd

• 9:35-11:20am Bellet 3200 & 4200
• 12:30pm INFORMANCE

All rehearsals have a dinner break time TBA.

Please note schedule subject to change.

Eva Powers named Interim Chair of the Dance Department

Eva Powers, associate professor in the Maggie Allesee Department of Dance, agreed to serve as the interim chair for this coming academic year. In her early years on the dance faculty Eva served as the director of the WSU Dance Workshop/Company and then as chair of dance 1994-04, successfully transitioning the dance department from Physical Education, housed in the Matthaei Building, to CFPCA in the then newly renovated Old Main building. Her accomplishments include the creation of a new BFA degree, accreditation by the National Association of Schools of Dance and successful fund raising activity. Since returning to the faculty she has focused on teaching and research in anatomy and kinesiology for dancers as well as Pilates and Gyrokinesis for conditioning and rehabilitation from dance injury. She has presented lectures and workshops at the International Association of Dance Medicine and Science and taught in Brazil, Sweden, England, Portugal and the Netherlands.

Dance Majors Meeting & Placement Day

Dance Majors Meeting & Placement Day:
Friday, August 27th, 2010
Mandatory Attendance Required:

Freshmen and Transfer Students begin at 9:00 AM
All other Dance Majors begin at 12:20 PM
Day ends at around 5:00 PM

All first-year and transfer dance majors must attend the Dance Majors Meeting & Placement Day on August 27, 2010 from 9:00AM to 5:15 PM (Classes begin on September 1). Many important activities happen ONLY during Dance Majors’ Day prior to classes starting:

• Welcome: 9:00AM
• Placement Class for Ballet & Modern technique classes for Fall 2010 from 9:20-11:00AM/ Old Main Studio 3317
• Lunch & Presentations 11:15AM-12:15PM
• Dance Student Representatives: First-Year Dance Orientation Workshop
• Academic Life
• Decision-Making Skills
• Dancers’ Nutrition & Health
• Dance support network
• Big Sister
• Get to know Dance Majors, Faculty & Staff
• Dance Majors/Minors Meeting: 12:20- 1:15PM
• Masterclass: 1:30-3:00PM (First-year students & Dance majors)
• WSU Dance Company Auditions: 3:15-5:00PM

***Students living in on-campus housing may contact the housing office for arrangements to move in early, as iStart begins on August 30.

Ray Robinson's Departure from Wayne State

Dear Colleagues,

Please join me in congratulating Ray Robinson on his recent acceptance of a position with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints where he will serve as a Manager in the Music and Cultural Arts area. His responsibilities include developing and producing a variety of training materials and curriculum, film, music, and theatrical productions, and building and developing project teams. The position connects well to both his work in the arts and his doctoral work in leadership and higher education.

Because Ray will be moving with his family to Utah on June 1, he may not have an opportunity to say goodbye to everyone with whom he has worked. He has asked me to share his gratitude to members of the college and notes: “These three years as the Interim Chair of the Maggie Allesee Department of Dance have been a wonderful experience to work with students, faculty and administrators. I have high hopes for the future of the college and appreciate the opportunity to have worked here.”

I am sure you join me in congratulating Ray on this next step in his professional life, but also for the fine work he has done leading the dance department over this past three years. By all measurable outcomes: student achievement, faculty morale and many improved and collaborative decision making processes, he has demonstrated extraordinary flexibility and skillful leadership. We will miss him terribly!

Sincerely,

Sharon L. Vasquez, Dean

African 2 Showing, Thursday April 15

Capstone Tech Schedule

Eisenhower Auditions!

Tech Week!

Bahok - Akram Khan Dance Company at Music Hall!

Dear Friends,

The Music Hall is opening her doors to the public and offering a unique opportunity for audiences to experience an exciting cultural exchange~ Open doors to everyone to see the amazing Bahok- Akram Dance Company! Audiences may donate after the show as they see fit. Everyone needs to see this company and we at the Music hall want to make sure it is available. Please encourage your students, faculty, friends and family to attend. The doors will simply be open and no ticket is required. Pass the word to everyone you know!!

Best~Meg

Wayne State Closed Today

The university is closed today (Wednesday, February 10) due to severe weather conditions.

Casting Call Winter 2010

Become a Pilates Instructor!

DCDC at Oakland U.

Workshop in 19th-Century Ballroom Dance

Madame Cadillac Dance Theatre
&
Maggie Allesse Department of Dance
Wayne State University
present

Cathy Stephens
Internationally known historic dance master & choreographer

Workshop in 19th-Century Ballroom Dance
Romantic & Elegant
Style, Manners, Steps, Music

Sunday, January 10, 2010
2--3:30 pm

Dance Department, Old Main Bldg. (Cass at Warren)
3rd Floor Rear, Studio A (Enter on Hancock by Gallery)

Class Fee $10/WSU Students--free
Questions? 313-875-6354
E-mail: ray_robinson@wayne.edu