SUMMER12
DANCES
DESTINY/CHANCE & CIRCUMSTANCE May 31-June 2 @ 7:30pm Mainstage Theatre
Photo: Pete Amland Dancer: Kayla Schroepfer A R T I S T I C D I R E C TO R S TAT E M E N T : S I M O N E F E R R O Welcome to Summerdances: Destiny/Chance & Circumstance! As we approach the end of this academic year, I would like to thank all for your support and encouragement. The Department of Dance continues to strive to be a leading artistic force in the region, and we wish to thank you for being part of our quest for excellence. We cannot dissociate what we do in the classroom to what is going on in the world. The speed of technology and mass media helps make us aware that the time we spend helping our students become authentic and versatile artists is time that enriches the profession. The tireless commitment of Christina Briggs Winslow and Gerald Casel this year helped us continue to bring our students a well-rounded and creative curriculum. Gerald is leaving for California but Christina will continue one more year as visiting faculty. This fall, West Coast choreographer Maria Gillespie will be joining us as an Assistant Professor. We look forward to the breadth of knowledge and expertise she will bring as a colleague and mentor, and welcome her to the Milwaukee Dance Community! This year’s theme of Destiny/Chance and Circumstance gave our dancers and choreographers (Luc, Elizabeth, Gerald, Christina, and Colleen Thomas, winner of the third New Work Award) the opportunity to reflect on the role of destiny and of chance in the way our choices have brought us to this place. Whether we call it luck or providence, the choices we make create opportunities and make us active architects of our own fate. We also offer our sincere thanks to the anonymous donor who has made the New Work Award a vehicle for bringing such talent to enrich our department. Whether chance or destiny brought this talent together in tonight’s performance, the Department of Dance invites you to join us in this celebration of new and exciting work. Summerdances 1