Bounding about like hip-hop boxers to club music, Hendricks’ choreography grabbed hold and repeatedly smacked you in the face with killer bursts of rapid-fire gestural movement. Continue reading ‘Contemporary Choreographers’ largely hits home
Since 1993, the Dancers’ Trust Fund has helped retired Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre dancers transition to life after the stage. Continue reading Annual ‘Dancers Trust’ Production Raising Creativity as well as Funds
By Steve Sucato Audiences most often get a feel for a new dance-company director from his or her choices in repertory. In the case of Point Park University’s new dance-department chair, Rubén Graciani, an indication of the direction he’ll take the student dance company can be seen in the Conservatory Dance Company’s annual At the Byham program, in four performances March 20-22. Graciani has said … Continue reading Under its new dance chair, Conservatory Dance Company seems headed in a new direction
By Steve Sucato It’s sometimes easy to forget that Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company is a student troupe. The company so easily appears like a professional one in contemporary and modern dance works. In its latest production, Nicolas Petrov’s Romeo and Juliet, the unforgiving nature of classical ballet technique was a reminder that CDC’s dancers are indeed still students. Nonetheless, as a student production, … Continue reading Burk Shines in Conservatory Dance Company’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’
Reviewed by Steve Sucato Emotionally powerful and thrilling was the ultimate effect of this past Sunday’s performance of Conservatory Dance Company’s Contemporary Choreographers program. The annual production showcases works by some of today’s best choreographers and talented up-and-comers. This year’s, however, began with a disappointing performance of David Morse’s “BWV 1063.” Set to vibrant music by J.S. Bach, the neoclassical ballet for 19 female dancers on … Continue reading One misstep aside, Contemporary Choreographers is a strong program
By Steve Sucato The new dance season features milestones for several local companies. Attack Theatre, CorningWorks, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre and the Pillow Project all celebrate major anniversaries. They, along with a bevy of other artists, promise even more memorable moments. Here’s a sampling. Opening its fifth season, CorningWorks examines our growing disconnect with traditional interpersonal communication in Parallel Lives (Wed., Sept. 10-14), at the New Hazlett … Continue reading Several Prominent Pittsburgh Dance Companies Mark Big Anniversaries As New Dance Season Begins
By Steve Sucato Following last weekend’s Conservatory Dance Company‘s marquee showcase at the Byham Theater, the student company of Point Park University closes out its season with Point Park Connections, the annual program of dance works by dance-department adjunct faculty, April 25-27 at the university’s George Rowland White Performance Studio. Of these six works encompassing a range of styles, five come from former Point Park students, including 2008 … Continue reading Point Park Connections Program to Showcase Adjunct Faculty Works
By Steve Sucato Point Park University dance alumni seem to be everywhere: on Broadway, and in national touring shows and dance companies, on television and in the movies. So You Think You Can Dance finalist Neil Haskell, for instance, recently appeared on an episode of Glee, while Luke Murphy stars in the movie Five Dances. They are just two of the dancers and choreographers who’ve come out of Point … Continue reading Point Park’s prestigious dance program marks 10 years of an annual Downtown showcase
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