2010-2011 PROJECTS

Seeing Dance with a Critical Eye
Project Contact: Kim Engel, UAlbany Performing Arts Center

In this project, area students will have the opportunity to attend a professional dance performance as well as work with dance writer Susan Mehalick on two occasions looking at the art form with the intention of putting the experience to words. Students will see TAKE Dance perform as part of their February 2011 residency at the UAlbany Performing Arts Center. Prior to and following this experience they will be treated to sessions at their school conducted by Ms. Mehalick, who will examine the role of the dance writer; explore the elements of a critical review; discuss how impressions, thoughts and ideas can be incorporated into a critical review; and compare several printed reviews of the work that students saw in the show.

Chinese Dance Performance
Project Contact: Xinhua Lee

Asian Culture Chinese Dance Artistic Director, Xinhua Lee, will research and choreograph a new Chinese dance with authentic costumes and music training 6 young children age 5-10 over the course of several months. The children will perform the new dance in a concert along with several other pieces, collaborating with dancers from the Asian Culture Chinese Dance Troupe. Background/introductory information about each dance will be provided to help the audience better understand and appreciate the art of Chinese dance.

Swing Kids - Arts in Action
Project Contact: Tango Fusion

Tango Fusion Dance Company's Swing Kids/Arts in Action brings ballroom dancing to the schools and community. Elementary school children learn ballroom dancing in their school with their peers and perform for the community. This project brings ballroom to a community center and teaches families how to dance together using dance to foster community, fitness and fun.

Dance for Special Needs College Students and Young Entrepreneurs
Project Contact: eba Dance Theatre

Special Needs College Students and Young Entrepreneurs will be introduced to the Art of Dance through workshops in: dance, how to be an active audience member, and choreography; a seminar about dance in our community and attending Dance Performances by Maude Baum and Company Dance Theatre. Discussions about performance and dance will follow each activity.

Providing Post-Performance Participatory Experiences
Project Contact: Kim Engel, Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company

In this project, approximately 200 students will see a performance of Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company's Dance by Chance program. The show will take place at Scotia-Glenville Middle School on February 16, 2011, and these students will come from neighboring schools to the district. This project will provide a post-participatory workshop experience for these students at their schools so that their experience with the art form has both presentational and participatory perspectives.

Keeping the Heritage of Modern Dance Alive II
Project Contact: Beth Hartle, Nacre

This project will afford area modern dancers the opportunity to work alongside visiting artists to learn the works of master choreographers and present these works to audiences in the Capital Region through master classes, lectures and performances at the Universal Preservation Hall in Saratoga Springs. For the 2011 spring performance series, Nacre will bring guest artists to teach master works by American Modern Dance choreographers Isadora Duncan, Doris Humphrey, May O'Donnell and Donald McKayle. Nacre will work with the Franklin Community Center in Saratoga Springs to share the history and movement philosophies of these works to students in their after school program, "Project Uplift."

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