UMS Concert Program, April 18, 1974: Nikolais Dance Theatre --

Concert: Eighteenth
Complete Series: 3880
Power Center For The Performing Arts Ann Arbor, Michigan

The University Musical Society
of
The University of Michigan
Presents
Nikolais Dance Theatre
with
Lisbeth Bagnold, Rob Esposito, Steven Iannacone, Janet Katzenberg,
Lynn Levine, Suzanne McDermaid, Gerald Otte, Gladys Roman,
Jessica Sayre, James Teeters and Fred Timm.
Choreography, Sound Score, Costume, and Lighting Design
by ALWIN NIKOLAIS
Thursday Evening, April 18, 1974, at 8:00
Power Center for the Performing Arts
Ann Arbor, Michigan
PROGRAM Suite from Sanctum (1964)
Group Dance..............Company
First Duet.........Gerald Otte and James Teeters
First Solo..............Lynn Levine
Quintet.........Lisbeth Bagnold, Gladys Roman
(or Janet Katzenberg), Jessica Sayre, James Teeters and Fred Timm
Second Solo.............Rob Esposito
Second Duet.......Suzanne McDermaid and Gerald Otte
Trio.......Suzanne McDermaid with Steven Iannacone
and Fred Timm Finale................Company
INTERMISSION
Scenario (1971)
Performed by the Company
INTERMISSION
Foreplay (1972)
Performed by the Company
Mannequin Duet......Suzanne McDermaid with Fred Timm
Eighteenth Program Third Annual Choice Series Power Center Complete Program 3880
ALWIN NIKOLAIS DANCE THEATRE
ALWIN NIKOLAIS' unique contribution to dance is the continuous, multimedia, abstract theatre work he has evolved. For some twenty years he has been an innovative force, in mixing media to create a total theatre, and the result is drama that engages the sensory experiences of the spectator. Nikolais' theatre is one of dynamics, where dramatic meaning is found in form. He builds drama through molding abstractions of sound, time, shape, color, light, and motion. The choreography is nonlinear in structure, so that instead of telling a narrative, the dance work makes a poetically direct, sentient communication. Instead of asking for literal explanation, the dance images invoke a reaction of associative interpretation, quite personal but perhaps freshly perceptive.
Nikolais was born in Southington, Connecticut, and in early years was an expert pianistorganist and puppeteer. As a teenager he chanced to see a performance by Mary Wigman, the German modern dance pioneer, and her art turned Nikolais to the career he has pursued ever since--first as a dancer, then as a choreographer. He studied and worked with every major figure in American modern dance until 1948, when he began teaching and developing his unique contemporary style at the Henry Street Playhouse.
Nikolais' ideas became more than a creative basis for his own work, they became a new philosophy and technique for dance. The Nikolais technique is now one of the major techniques taught in universities and colleges in the United States, as well as in many foreign countries. Mr. Nikolais is recognized as one of the world's foremost dance philosophers, theorists, and teachers, as well as a unique choreographer and theatrician.
In collaboration with the University Dance Program of the Department of Physical Education, this program is part of a threeday residency project, receiving support from the National Endow?ment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for the Arts.
Announcing 197475 Choice Series
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater (three different programs)
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 18, 19, 20
The Gregg Smith Singers........Tuesday, October 22
National Ballet of Washington, D.C. (three different programs)
Saturday and Sunday, October 26, 27
Slask, folk company from Poland...... Wednesday, October 30
Jacques Loussier Trio -"Play Bach" .... Saturday, November 2
Carlos Montoya, Guitarist....... Tuesday, November 19
Guarneri String Quartet, and Gary Graffman, Pianist Wednesday, January 8
Marcel Marceau, Pantomimist.....Friday, Saturday, Sunday,
January 10, 11, 12
Moscow Chamber Orchestra, Rudolf Barshai, Conductor Tuesday, February 11
Goldovsky Grand Opera Theater.....Thursday, February 13
Harkness Ballet of New York......Thursday, February 20
Moscow Balalaika Ensemble and Ludmila Zykina . Monday, February 24
Paul Taylor Dance Company......Wednesday, March 12
Preservation Hall Jazz Band.......Wednesday, April 9
New '74'7S season brochure with order form available upon request. Series ticket orders now being accepted.
UNIVERSITY MUSICAL SOCIETY
Burton Memorial Tower, Ann Arbor, Michigan Phone 6653717