Shenandoah Conservatory Dance Division Performs in New York City

Posted May 05, 2009:

Shenandoah University’s Shenandoah Conservatory Dance Division performed as part of the “Fridays at Noon” series at the 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, in New York City, on Friday, May 29, 2009.

Shenandoah University’s Shenandoah Conservatory Dance Division performed as part of the “Fridays at Noon” series at the 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, in New York City, on Friday, May 29, 2009.

Shenandoah University's Shenandoah Conservatory Dance Division performed as part of the "Fridays at Noon" series at the 92nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue, in New York City, on Friday, May 29, 2009. The event honored the artistic legacy of Alwin Nikolais and featured the restaging of several of his most famous choreographic works.

Shenandoah dance students were joined during the event by former Nikolais Dance Theatre soloist Lynn Lesniak Needle, who performed two solos created by Nikolais, "Doll with a Broken Head from Mechanical Organ" (1980) and "Noumenon Mobilus" (1953).

All of the works were restaged and directed by Alberto del Saz, artistic director of the Murray Louis and Nikolais Dance Company and co-director of the Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance. Shenandoah's Dance Division hosted a week-long residency with del Saz in February 2009.

During the residency, del Saz restaged three of Alwin Nikolais' masterpieces: "Mantis" (1963), "Girls Trio" (1965) and "Grotto" (1973). The restaging of "Mantis," "Girls Trio" and "Grotto" by Alwin Nikolais was made possible by the National Endowment for the Arts' American Masterpieces: Dance initiative administered by the New England Foundation for the Arts with Dance/USA.

“Shenandoah’s Dance Division has received awards for restaging works from American Masterpieces: Dance twice in the last three academic years,” explained Assistant Professor of Dance Kim Gibilisco. “In 2006, we were able to restage Murray Louis’ 1956 ‘Bach Suite.’ With this project in 2009, we continued to share the legacy of the Nikolais/Louis tradition with our students. And, the 2009 project also marks the beginning of preparations for a nationwide celebration of Nikolais’ 100th birthday in 2010.”

The licensing and performance of this work has been granted through the exclusive rights of Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance, Inc.: Alwin Nikolais and Murray Louis, founders; Alberto del Saz, artistic director; and Claire Gomberg, director of operations.

“Shenandoah’s Dance Division has received awards for restaging works from American Masterpieces: Dance twice in the last three academic years,” explained Gibilisco. “In 2006, we were able to restage Murray Louis’ 1956 ‘Bach Suite.’ With this project in 2009, we continued to share the legacy of the Nikolais/Louis tradition with our students. And, the 2009 project also marks the beginning of preparations for a nationwide celebration of Nikolais’ 100th birthday in 2010.”

For more information about dance programs at Shenandoah University, call 800-432-2266 or visit http://www.su.edu/.

 

 

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