Photo courtesy of Jory Hancock

Junior dance major Kelly Schaefer poses for adjunct dance professor James Clouser's re-staging of "Swan Lake, Act 2." The piece will be performed at Centennial Hall this weekend as part of the dance department's show, "Master Works by Master Minds."

University dancers perform pieces by popular, legendary choreographers this weekend

College dance students rarely have the chance to dance under the instruction of currently famous choreographers according to UA dance faculty.

The UA dance department, however, is defying that pattern in this weekend's dance showcase, "Master Works by Master Minds," by bringing two of the nation's top choreographers' work to the Centennial Hall stage.

Michael Williams, a UA assistant professor of dance, said the two guest artists - Paul Taylor and Mia Michaels - are prominent figures in the dance world.

"Michaels is a hot choreographer right now," Williams said. "She did the Madonna tour and (has worked with) Ricky Martin and Prince; for us to have one of her pieces on the program is really unusual."

Williams added that because Michaels and Taylor could not be present for the duration of the semester to rehearse their pieces, UA dance faculty have stepped in as rehearsal directors for each piece.

Susan Quinn Williams, another assistant professor of UA dance, is the rehearsal director for Michaels' piece, "Against the Current," and assistant professor of dance Sam Watson is the rehearsal director for Taylor's piece, "3 Epitaphs."

"Paul Taylor is one of the most thriving contemporary choreographers we have in America," Watson said. "Michaels is the same but more in the jazz (and) entertainment way."

Watson added that he danced Taylor's "Three Epitaphs" previously in his dance career.

"Years ago, I used to dance for (the) Chicago Repertory Dance Ensemble, and I performed this piece '3 Epitaphs' - one of Taylor's signature pieces," he said.

Watson said he wanted to refrain from describing the piece in depth to avoid giving its secrets away but described the piece as having a dark humor.

Choreography by members of the UA dance faculty is also featured in the dance lineup of "Master Works by Master Minds." Appearing in the program is adjunct associate professor of dance James Clouser's staging of "Swan Lake, Act Two" as well as Watson's "Borrowed Baroque" and Williams' "West Side Story" medley.

Watson said his piece has been performed around the world with a trio but will be staged this weekend with a cast of six dancers. A press release described the piece as classic Sam Watson; Watson described his style as humorous and quirky.

"It is usually pretty light and airy - kind of feel-good," he said. "(And there is) a bit of humor."

Williams said his "West Side Story" medley cast is comprised of 32 dancers and will feature live music from the UA Wind Ensemble.

"(The UA Wind Ensemble) has actually performed this score (for) one of their concerts previously this semester, and we have been making up the choreography and rehearsing to a recording of the score," Williams said.

He added that the piece was conceptualized last spring when he conferred with UA music professor Gregg Hanson.

"We were trying to come up with something that had an important composer - a jazz choreographer (and a) jazz composer - in a contemporary idiom," Williams said.

He added that the choreography for the piece is based on influences from "West Side Story's" original director and choreographer, Jerome Robbins.

"Jerome Robbins' show was a map for this particular arrangement," he said. "(But) I had to play with how it progressed - to play with the story line."

Williams added that the dance department is excited for this weekend's performances.

"We have spent a lot of time and energy trying to mount and produce this concert - from West Side Story to the second act of Swan Lake," Williams said. "But we also have two guest artists, and that is really exciting."

"Master Works by Master Minds" plays tonight and tomorrow night at 8 in Centennial Hall. Tickets are $12, $15 and $18 with discounts available for students. Call 626-8030 for more information.