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JANUARY 24-27, 2013 T H U - S A T 7: 3 0 P M S U N 2: 0 0 P M M A I N S TA G E T H E AT R E 2 4 0 0 E K E N W O O D B LV D
arts.uwm.edu/winterdances DANCE R S: T i na C oon, Tasha Holifield, Jos é A. Lui s, Carri e Marti n, Kao Zhong Xi ong PH O T OG R APHER: Tr oye Fox C HOREOGRAPHER: Cynthi a Guti errez-Garner
50THANNIVERSARY!
progr a m A Very Old Man (Premiere) Selections from A Better Life score
Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner Alexandre Desplat
Space-Time (Premiere) “World to Come 1” “Zinc (Remix)” and “Frozen Angels”
Katie Sopoci Drake Maya Beiser Zoe Keating
Fall to Rise (2012) Honest Music “Quiet Music” from Three Études
Petr Zahradnícek Nico Muhly Nico Muhly INTERMISSION
Magnetic Field (2007) Excerpts from String Quartet No. 6
Simone Ferro Kevin Volans
Miraculous Mandarin (Premiere) The Miraculous Mandarin
Luc Vanier Béla Bartók
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a r t i s t i c d i r e c to r ’ s n o t e Welcome to Winterdances 2013! We are midway through our celebration of the Year of the Arts in the Peck School. The Dance Department’s performing year already began full force with our collaborative performance FALL(ing) which brought together Present Music, the Milwaukee Ballet and our UWM dancers on the Zelazo Center stage. In December, we then produced 15 Senior Projects in New Dancemakers: In The Loop. In May 2013, we will have the chance to see Springdances…impermanence with choreography by our newest faculty member Assistant Professor Maria Gillespie, long-time dance faculty member and Danceworks Performance Company Artistic Director Dani Kuepper, and Visiting Assistant Professor Christina Briggs Winslow. The following weekend, Dance Professor Ferne Bronson and Film Professor Portia Cobb present The Sweet Grass Project, an interwoven work of song, dance, music and prose about the distinct cultural legacy of the Gullah people of South Carolina and Georgia. In June, as the grand finale to the Year of the Arts, we commissioned a master of sitespecific dance for outdoor performances at several iconic Milwaukee locations, one being the fountains at the Milwaukee Art Museum, as part of Summerdances – Stephan Koplowitz: Water Sight, Milwaukee. In the same vein, Winterdances in 2013 is a celebration of our connection with the community. We brought back two alumni to choreograph on our dancers: Katie Sopoci Drake (MFA 2006) choreographs a piece that explores Rudolf von Laban’s theories, and Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner (MFA 2010) the latest recipient of the Dance New Work Award (thanks to our anonymous donor, who recently renewed the gift, permitting another 4 years of new dance works from UWM Dance alumni). We reprise Milwaukee Ballet Choreographer-in-Residence Petr Zahradnícek’s work “Fall to Rise” first presented as part of FALL(ing). Simone Ferro reset her 2007 duet “Magnetic Field,” originally created for her first evening-length concert Simone Ferro and Friends. For this production, she invited ex-Pilobolus company member Edwin Olvera to perform in it. The last piece on the program, my “Miraculous Mandarin” benefits from our connection with the Music Department with two pianists, Johanna Schilling and Kamil Tokarski, playing the difficult piano score live. The Year of the Arts demonstrates to all the vibrancy and relevance of the Peck School of the Arts’ programs in its relationship to the local, national and international community. We are happy and grateful you were able to share in this experience with us. Best wishes, Luc Vanier
c h o r e o g r a p h e r a n d c o l l a b o r ato r b i o g r a p h i e s Please view online at wd2013.blogspot.com or scan QR code from program title page.
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p r o g r a m d e ta i l s A Very Old Man (Premiere made possible by New Work Award) Choreographer: Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner Music: Selections from A Better Life score by Alexandre Desplat (2011) Sound Design: Cynthia Gutierrez-Garner Scenic Design: Iain Court Costume Design: Lisa Christensen Quinn Animation: Jon P. Bellona Rehearsal Director: Christina Briggs Winslow Dancers: Tina Coon, Liz Faraglia, Tasha Holifield, Gina Laurenzi, José A. Luis, Brenna Marlin, Carrie Martin, Libby Faye Schmitz, Madeleine Schoch, Kayla Schroepfer, Kao Zhong Xiong Choreographer Note: “A Very Old Man” embraces the mystical by exploring the work of Gabriel García Márquez. This widely celebrated artist is known for popularizing the literary style known as magical realism. His use of fantasy within realistic situations creates a world of supernatural beauty and splendour that transports both the characters and readers to an enchanting world. This new piece of choreography takes a closer look at the poignant short story “A Very Old Man with Enormous Wings: A Tale for Children.” This beautiful literary work depicts the experience of a fallen angel stranded in the yard of a family living by the sea. It includes an interesting array of characters whose lives intersect with the angel, becoming obsessed then disenchanted with the strange creature, eventually questioning the supreme nature of the angel. The story is not so much about any one faith, but rather the tendencies of human nature and the way we react to life’s miracles—the townsfolk poking and prodding with judgement as the angel remains patient and unmoved waiting for healing and freedom. Space-Time (Premiere) Choreographer: Katie Sopoci Drake with contributions from performers Music: “World to Come 1” by Maya Beiser; “Zinc (Remix)” and “Frozen Angels” by Zoe Keating Sound Design: Katie Sopoci Drake Costume Design: Heather Hirvela Rehearsal Director: Brenna Marlin Performers: Andi Bissen, Tori Diny, Marissa Jax, Elise Jumes, Kendra Kramas, Emily Landry, Brenna Marlin, Samantha Patrick, Shelby Reuss, Devin Settle, Maria Tordoff, Aubrie Winters Choreographer Note: The title section of a larger suite of dances, “Space-Time” explores the notion of Rudolf von Laban’s theories on Flow and its relationship to the 4th dimension known as space-time, the movement of celestial bodies, human relationships and the surprising connections we found between them. This final group work, which was developed with and tailored to the UWM Dance students, is focused on representing the motion and energy of four dimensions within a three-dimensional perspective. We’ve played with detailed material that collapses down on itself and is constantly being drawn back in to the body versus free-flowing material that wants to reach out, larger, and
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wants to drift away. How these scientific inspirations seem to mimic human interaction is no coincidence. Take an image from your memory of a group of people and how they physically reacted during a time of excitement or sorrow, of triumph or defeat. Then watch our little creation and see what happens. Fall to Rise (Premiere on FALL(ing), 2012) “Our greatest glory is not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” Confucius Choreographer: Petr Zahradnícek Music: Honest Music and “Quiet Music” from Three Études by Nico Muhly (2003) Costumes: Marion Clendenen-Acosta Dancers: Brooke Bloedorn, Emma Call, Rosemary Laughrin, Gina Laurenzi, Deanna Lewis, Danielle Lohuis, Carrie Martin, Kristin Reidelberger, Nicole Ross, Madeleine Schoch Choreographer Note: The main inspiration for this piece comes from the idea that part of our learning process is to make mistakes. Everyone begins life at the same point of knowledge. As a child, one is not afraid of making a mistake and mistakes are an unavoidable part of life. However, as one gets older, societal pressures make people afraid of making mistakes and failing—”falling”. One starts being afraid of making mistakes and as a result, starts choosing not to take risks. This has a negative effect on one’s life, as this fear prevents one from experiences that would allow one to grow and learn as a human being. Some people, however, don’t let the fear of failure dictate their choices, and continue to take risks despite the threat of “falling.” Inevitably, these people will fail and make mistakes, even more so than those who don’t take risks, but from these mistakes comes wisdom and strength to “rise”. And in the end they will have lived much fuller lives as a result. Music Note:Written for solo violin and pre-recorded CD, Honest Music is a collection of discrete, modular phrases recombined in “performance,” in this case, by the electronic manipulation of the recording. The combination of soaring English-choirboy diatonicism with Romantic, violinistic leaps and slides up and down the fingerboard piles on top of each other in a most honest way. Muhly wrote “in preparation for writing a large (uncompleted) work for piano, I decided to write three short pieces to get certain musical tics out of my system.” The second etude, “Quiet Music,” concerns itself with drones and chant-like music. (Note text adapted from Present Music) INTERMISSION Magnetic Field (Premiere on Simone Ferro and Friends, 2007) Choreographer: Simone Ferro Movement Research: Michelle DiMeo, Daniel Schuchart Music: Excerpts from String Quartet No. 6 by Kevin Volans (2000) Costume Design: Louella Powell Live Video Design: Iain Court Dancers: Edwin Olvera (guest artist), Shelby Reuss Choreographer Note: “Magnetic Field” is a duet based on the changing roles of two people who are bound to each other. Even when they draw apart and are physically separated, they are still bound by a magnetic field that holds them together. There is a taking for granted that they will always be there for each other. But there is also a constant shifting of strength; they trade roles, each carrying and being carried, leading and being led. Music Note: Commissioned by the Arts Council of Ireland and the City Music Society (London) for the Duke Quartet, Volans’ String Quartet No. 6 is a combination of live and pre-recorded quartets. Sequences of slow sustained chords, with specific instructions to play with or without vibrato, create a “rocking” motion. “The ear strains to distinguish the source, the sound balance so equal, the play of psycho-acoustics magical, peaceful, settling…one of the most beautiful and haunting works I have heard for a very long time.” – Annette Morreau, The Independent Special Thanks to Edwin Olvera for his availability, generosity and spirit of adventure and for Shelby Reuss for her fearlessness and commitment to this process. 4
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Miraculous Mandarin (Premiere) Choreographer: Luc Vanier Music: The Miraculous Mandarin by Béla Bartók, Op. 19, Sz. 73 (BB 82) (1926) Pianists: Johanna Schilling and Kamil Tokarski Costume Design: Lisa Christensen Quinn Dancers: Halie Bahr, Sarah Kind, Imani Jalil, José A. Luis, Kymberly McDaniel, Amelia Morris, Chlöe Nagle, Nadin Nowak, Kimberly Rhyme, Libby Faye Schmitz, Kelsey Stolhand, Bianca Ware, Kao Zhong Xiong Choreographer Note: Years ago I stumbled upon this CD while researching music for the creation of my first ballet with Ohio Ballet. I ended up picking up another Bartók score for the dance but always kept the piano version of The Miraculous Mandarin close at hand. The story is set between two world wars where three money-grabbing “tramps” use a “girl” to attract men to a room where they can be robbed. The rich “mandarin” seems like a catch except that he will not die… unless the “girl” gives herself to him – which kills him. My 21st Century interpretation has everyone dance all characters. All are men and woman. All are ready to coerce, seduce or fixate and survive until the last moment. They represent those parts of ourselves who are looking to exploit, seduce and still somewhat magically survive our faiths. And how we feel that only a full consumption of our desires will have us satisfied. Music Note: Bartók encountered the libretto by Menyhért (Melchior) Lengyel in a literary magazine in 1917 and was fascinated. He outlined a scenario and completed a piano sketch of the music by May 1919, during a time of political upheaval and human displacement in his native Hungary due to the final days of World War I. But the work lay unperformed for the next seven years, partly because of his delay in orchestrating the piano version. On November 27, 1926, the pantomime finally achieved a single performance at the Cologne Opera House. However, audience reaction was so violent that further performances were banned by the city’s mayor. The pantomime was successfully produced in Prague the following year, but never in Budapest during Bartók’s lifetime. Bartók’s highly dramatic score draws together all of the orchestral effects that he had developed thus far in his career. He pushed his musical language, which combines elements of modern music, impressionism, and Hungarian folk music, to a highly dissonant state, reflecting the violent drama and also the turbulent political state of Europe from the time. It is a score that, in the words of conductor Marin Alsop, “grabs you by the throat and doesn’t let go.” (Note: text adapted from Carl R. Cunningham at Houston Symphony and David Heetderks at Detroit Symphony Orchestra.) I thank the cast for their deep conviction and devotion to the project.
Please consider making a gift in support of the
Ed Burgess Legacy Scholarship Fund. Send to: UWM Foundation/Ed Burgess Legacy Scholarship Fund 1440 East North Avenue • Milwaukee, WI 53202 Or online at uwm.edu/giving Click on Give Online, then Make a Gift • Click on Gift Designation and select “Arts” Winterdances
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special thanks Thank you to the Gretchen and Andrew Dawes Charitable Trust and the New Work Award anonymous donor as well as all other donors that made this concert possible. Thanks to Jon Welstead, Jeffry Peterson, Jonathan Moberg, and Michael Cronin of the Music Department for providing the piano for “Miraculous Mandarin;” Jessica Peck and Iain Court; Theatre Department; Physical Plant Services; Milwaukee Ballet; and Present Music.
production tea m Luc Vanier......................................................................................................................................... Artistic Director Jessica Peck....................................................................................... Production Manager, Master Electrician Noele Stollmack.........................................................................................................................Lighting Designer Seth Warren-Crow........................................................................................................................... Music Director Colin Gawronski.............................................................................................................................. Stage Manager Joshua Bazett-Jones, Colin Gawronski, Alex Grzybowski,............................................ Production Crew John Leahy, Kelsey Stolhand, Shelby Reuss, Meredith L. Roat, Bonnie Watson Heather Hirvela..........................................................................................................................................Wardrobe Korporate Media................................................................................................................................ Videographer Mark Frohna........................................................................................................................................Photographer
d e pa r tm e n t o f da n c e fac u lt y & s ta f f Simone Ferro....................................................................................................................................Chair, Professor Ferne Caulker-Bronson, Marcia Ruth Parsons.................................................................................. Professor Darci Brown Wutz, Luc Vanier............................................................................................ Associate Professor Maria Gillespie.......................................................................................................................... Assistant Professor Christina Briggs Winslow...................................................................................... Visiting Assistant Professor Gloria Gustafson, Mary D. Hibbard....................................................................Associate Professor Emeriti Dani Kuepper................................................................................................................................... Senior Lecturer Kayla Premeau............................................................................................................................Program Manager Jessica Peck .......................................................................................................................... Production Manager Seth Warren-Crow......................................................................................................... Music Director, Lecturer
p e c k s c h o o l o f t h e a r t s a d m i n i s t r at i o n Scott Emmons......................................................................................................................................Interim Dean Kimberly Cosier............................................................................................................... Interim Associate Dean Mary McCoy.......................................................................................................................... Assistant to the Dean Sue Thomas.........................................................................................................................Administrative Officer Ellen Friebert Schupper...........................................................Director, Marketing and Communications Nicole Schanen..................................................................................................................... Marketing Specialist Susan Mendelson..................................................................................................Year of the Arts Coordinator Diane Grace........................................................................................................................Development Director Christine Barclay.................................................................................................................... Box Office Manager Randall Trumbull-Holper........................................................................................................Facilities Manager
m i s s i o n s tat e m e n t The Department of Dance is committed to the development and training of versatile dance artists. Through its diverse faculty and curriculum, the department offers undergraduate and graduate students a learning environment that emphasizes creative artistic individuality and the development of professional skills. 6
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Coming soon to the
2013
Peck School of the Arts
JUN MAY
Summerdances - Stephan Koplowitz: Water Sight, Milwaukee
4 2
Milwaukee LGBT Film/Video Festival Screenings
MAR
MAY APR
MAR FEB
21 7
Music
13 7
Springdances... impermanence
Film
9-11 13-16
FEB
APR
MAR FEB
Dance
Art & Design
FREE 6 Artists Now Lecture Series 1 - 6 La Ceiba Gráfica
Chamber Music Milwaukee: Rembrandt Players Beyond the Score
50THANNIVERSARY!
MAR
MAR MAR
AKERS IN PRINT:
Sanggon Chung, Skin Deep–Minuscape III
through
MAR
Grzegorz Han´derek, Cooling Tower 2
FEB APR
3 Hours. 5 Floors. >100 Artists
IN
Inova
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1-3 7-10 Marisol 6-10 Blood Wedding
Andrew Lippa’s The Wild Party
Kenilworth Open Studios
Guang Jun, Fruits
Theatre
Inter-Arts
8-10
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Makers in Print: International Exhibition
CELEBRATE WITH US!
INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION JANUARY 18 – MARCH 24, 2013
March 20 – 23.
Noise of Silence
Makers in Print celebrates the global vitality of printmaking through works selected by coordinating curators from find us on THAN 450 EVENTS ALL YEAR Argentina, China, Mexico,MORE Poland, The exhibition is aLONG! central component of the 41st conference of Southern Graphics South Africa and South Korea. BOX OFFICE: 414-229-4308 arts.uwm.edu/tickets visit Council :International (SGCI) hosted byyoa.uwm.edu the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design Curated selection of works by SGCI and the University of Wisconsinhonorees —Lesley Dill, Margo Humphrey, Milwaukee’s Peck School of the Arts from Frances Myers, Alison Saar and
Wi Self-Portrait