Unless otherwise noted photos and copyright 2024 Mike Strong KCDance.Com and Mike Strong Photo Gallery and CV Site - Email This Page

UMKC Spring 2010 Concert

Stephanie Shipman and Kelanie Murphy in studio rehearsals for Paula Weber's Unplugged
Stephanie Shipman and Kelanie Murphy in studio rehearsals for Paula Weber's Unplugged the week prior to the concert.

First, the spring 2010 dance concert at UMKC is one of the best in some time.. This is a strong and diverse set of works performed by dancers from one of the top dance schools in the country (yup, our very own University of Missouri Kansas City (UMKC)). Just another of those artistic triumphs we seldom hear of and which, shamefully, I must comment, not even much from UMKC itself. (I could go on, this is one of my oldest peeves, but at the moment let's concentrate on the strength and beauty of this program.)

I should note that as good as they are they are not yet fully a professional company but then that is what they are learning. Watching the progress of the students from the time they first come into the program, through their studies and through gigs at dance companies until their senior year is almost always rewarding. Watching their performances is always a treat, as long as you factor in the inconsistencies which come with being students with vastly divided attentions from studies to dance study and workouts, to part time work to earn money to auditions and gigs along the way to graduation.

The concert was In the Performing Arts Center (PAC, same place you go to for The Rep) in White Recital Hall (all the way to the west side of the PAC).

One of my interest points is the juxtaposition of Josh Beamish and George Balanchine. The Beamish piece "Les Oiseaux" (The Birds) is a mix tape of Michel Fokine's The Firebird (1910) (music by Igor Stravinsky) and Petipa's Swan Lake. Borrowing from the classical foundation of both pieces Beamish mixes the characters in a high-energy fusion to create a new ballet.

The irony is that the Balanchine ballet was new and high energy when Balanchine himself was alive and now seems institutionally codified with virtuoso technique and unchangeable choreography with the Balanchine Trust having ownership and copyright. Putting the two pieces together in the same program highlights this irony. Partly for this reason I have no photos of the Balanchine piece at this time even though these are some of the best I took from this concert. If they show up here they will have to go through an approval process. This is not my usual way of working, but in this case I was also shooting the show for the division rather than covering only for media and I had not clarified usages (archive and editorial) and there was a huge blow up in the PR department to which I've not yet had the time to fully respond as I intend. As much as I criticize media (news) photographers for clueless dance shooting I also find the Balanchine Foundation over protective to the point of harming their own interests. The photos on this page at this writing are of other pieces, and none of the Balanchine piece.

George Balanchine left the young Soviet Union in 1924 following a year in which the experimental dance company he started found dis-approval with the Soviet authorities. He was told he had better toe the line. He left for Europe and developed a career there which is where Lincoln Kerstein found him, invited him to come to the United States and then partnered with Balanchine to change the face of dance in the US and around the world. They tried one thing after another. They were never locked into conventions.

The Balanchine pieces are considered a feather in the cap of any company to be allowed to perform. The trust is choosy and careful to send a repititeur, in this case Jerry Kumery, to ensure quality control and adherence to the Balanchine canon. That is the strength of the standard and also its Achilles heel.

Ballet gets a "hoity toity," even stodgy reputation because of those standards but it wasn't so long ago that those pink, skin-like tights were very evocative, tempting, sexual, possibly even licentious. Degas' works show shadowy "patrons" lingering in the wings waiting for certain dancers. Remember that was a time of hoop skirts and other very full body coverings. This was a time when the sight of an ankle was considered hot. On the ballet stage were body-hugging costumes top to bottom interrupted only by relatively brief skirts and tulle. Exposed legs and high kicks with less covering than Can-Can dancers as high art and those rich, shadowy patrons. Then ballet was still hungry and adventurous and new.

You got a feeling of that adventure and edginess with Josh Beamish's ballet Les Oiseaux. As with most good adverture it has a solid foundation in the past with recognizable characters, the firebird, the swans, and then it steps out with all the expressive energy it can create anew.

Josh Beamish in studio rehearsals for Les Oiseaux
Josh Beamish in studio rehearsals for Les Oiseaux

Beamish is a young man with a very solid grounding in dance and a full set of experience in arranging dancers as he imagines them. He is hungry, as once were those we now think of as classical. He is filled with the need to create and to propagate his creations. He already has a dance company in Vancouver, his home, and has maintained it for several years. They are already touring across the world heading for the Asian continent this year and working with Circ de Soleil.

Studio Rehearsal for Les Oiseaux. Josh Beamish works out and models a movement as
Studio Rehearsal for Les Oiseaux. Josh Beamish works out and models a movement as
Elaine Kimbel copies the move while gripped by Gavin Stewart (behind her)

Watching him work is interesting because he is able to combine companionship with these young dancers who his own age, without losing the leadership role. He can play with his dancers, working out movement and crack the whip as he needs, without any gear changing, without removing himself. If he has any pretension somewhere, I have yet to see it and I've spent a good deal of time in his rehearsals.

His Firebird for this piece, red-haired, Britanny Duskin, was going through her paces one February day at less energy than he wanted. It was rehearsal, after all. But Beamish told her no excuses for that energy, always come through at the max. Duskin is a good dancer, whose long, flaming, voluminous, curly red hair would go well with the flaming-red costume for the character. Beamish wanted more from her. Duskin delivered. In performance you might even say she darn near stole the piece, and her role was to run through the corps at several points in the piece for a short while each time.

But wow, did Brittany ever look like a fire itself, really a fireball of roiling, bursting, turbulent, violent energy which totally wiped out the rest of the stage every time she was on. I literally held my breath as she came in and until she went off stage. In the camera viewfinder she seemed almost like an animation of flailing legs and arms in one of those balls of action cartoonists draw.

When I first saw her come out in dress rehearsal I remembered Josh's correction in the studio which had seemed almost out of place for him and even a tad harsh. It was a very short and quick criticism and he didn't belabor the point. Then later, when I saw the result on stage, costumed, lit and matured, I realized immediately how right his corrective had been. It was perfect for her and she was perfect in the role.

When Fokine did The Firebird in 1910 he was interested in getting rid of virtuoso techniques for their own sake rather than as a means of expression.

I would like to see the Balanchine Trust find a way to excite that kind of fire in their catalog of pieces. George himself is not coming back. He is long gone. But as I thought about the confluence of these two choregraphies, I realized that the foundation is losing the vitality which made Balanchine so fabulous and is substituting technique and strict adherence to established form. Some of those techniques are appreciated more by the dancers as tests of capability than the audience on whom some of it may be lost. Living choreographers change their works all the time. Updates, refinements, rethinking and re-working. It keeps the thing fresh.

Perhaps they could try something along the line of what Twyla Tharp does, which in a sense turns out a kind of assembly kit of Tharp bits and pieces, building blocks, which are then turned into a new, deliberately derivative work, but freshly envisioned by presenters of her pieces.



As the Firebird, Brittany Duskin flies over Nina Rose Wardanian in Josh Beamish's Les Oiseaux (The Birds)
Duskin was a wild, ferocious, ball of extreme energy onstage as her Firebird character raced through the dancers.

Michael Tomlinson in Les Oiseaux by Josh Beamish
Michael Tomlinson in Les Oiseaux by Josh Beamish

 

Michael Tomlinson in Les Oiseaux by Josh Beamish
Michael Tomlinson in Les Oiseaux by Josh Beamish

Shostakovich Jazz Suite by Ronn Tice
Shostakovich Jazz Suite by Ronn Tice

Shostakovich Jazz Suite by Ronn Tice
Shostakovich Jazz Suite by Ronn Tice

Gary Abbott's Purple - a cityscape
Gary Abbott's Purple - a cityscape

Gary Abbott's Purple - in this combined photo file (from two shots so that) we can see Miyesha McGriff Hoisted above Mark Geiringer (left) and Erik Sobbe (right) as she flexes down and up. This was on the left side of the stage while the same action was paired on the right (audience) side of the stage with Skylar Taylor
Gary Abbott's Purple - in this combined photo (from two shots so that) we can see Miyesha McGriff Hoisted above Mark Geiringer (left) and Erik Sobbe (right) as she flexes down and up. This was on the left side of the stage while the same action was paired on the right (audience) side of the stage with Skylar Taylor.

Salvatore Aiello's Afternoon of a Faun - Gavin Stewart (front) as the faun, in back left-right - Devan Smith, Marie Buser, Chloe Abel and not shown here, Brittany Duskin
Salvatore Aiello's Afternoon of a Faun - Gavin Stewart (front) as the faun, in back left-right - Devan Smith, Marie Buser, Chloe Abel and not shown here, Brittany Duskin

Salvatore Aiello's Afternoon of a Faun - Gavin Stewart (middle) as the faun, - left-right - Brittany Duskin, Marie Buser, Chloe Abel and Devan Smith (behind)
Salvatore Aiello's Afternoon of a Faun - Gavin Stewart (middle) as the faun, - left-right - Brittany Duskin, Marie Buser, Chloe Abel and Devan Smith (behind)

Sabrina Madison-Cannon's The Widows
Sabrina Madison-Cannon's The Widows
Two frames put together to show this dancer in two successive jete's

Sabrina Madison-Cannon's The Widows - Michael Tomlinson in front with Elaine Kimble leaning over him and Chloe Abel to the right of him
Sabrina Madison-Cannon's The Widows - Michael Tomlinson in front with Elaine Kimble leaning over him and Chloe Abel to the right of him

Sabrina Madison-Cannon's The Widows - Michael Tomlinson in front
Sabrina Madison-Cannon's The Widows - Michael Tomlinson in front

Sabrina Madison-Cannon's The Widows - Michael Tomlinson in front
Sabrina Madison-Cannon's The Widows - Michael Tomlinson in front

 

UMKC Spring 2010 Dance Concert Program

The Balanchine ballet presented in this program is protected by copyright. Any unauthorized recording is prohibited without the expressed written consent of The George Balanchine Trust and the Conservatory of Music and Dance - UMKC.
 
 Shostakovich Jazz Suite
Choreography Ronald Tice
Music Dimitri Shostakovich - Jazz Suite
Costume Design and Construction Paula Weber
Lighting Design EJ Reinagel
Dancers (by cast) Joyce Armstrong, Hannah Benditt, Jillian Carlyle, Lacee Ebert, Alyssa Gold, Danielle Glynn, Andrea Mason, Sharmaine Perea, Sara Beth Rothhammer, Caitlin Schuler, Angela Shipman, Stephanie Shipman
OR
Heather Costello, Haley Day, Chasmine Gershcefske, Vashti Goracke, Elena Hofer, Ashley Odom, Appie Peterson, Liza Rod, Lynley Schaffer, Haley Turner, Ashley Zimmerman
 
 The Widows
Choreography Sabrina Madison-Cannon
Music Bobby McFerrin and Geoff Bennet
Lighting Richard Sprecker
Costume Design and Construction Paula Weber
Dancers Chloe Abel, Marlee Bailey, Brittany Duskin, Shannon Hutsler, Elaine Kimble, Ashley Odom, Whitney Ricketts, Rachel Schneider, Asha Singh, Michael Tomlinson, Nina-Rose Wardanian
 
 Unplugged
Choreography Paula Weber
Music Kenji Bunch
Lighting Design EJ Reinagel
Costume Design and Construction Paula Weber
Dancers (by cast) Kelanie Murphy and Erik Sobbe with Angela Shipman and Stephanie Shipman, and Marie Buser, Vashti Gorake, Alyssa Gold
OR
Skyler Taylor and Erik Sobbe with Pamela Auinbauh and Stephanie Shipman and Marie Buser, Danielle Glynn, Alyssa Gold
 
 The Other Side
Choreography Rodni Williams
Music Brent Lewis
Costumes Rodni Williams
Lighting design Latrice Lovett
Dancers (by cast) Chloe Abel, Marlee Bailey, Shanna Colbern, Brittany Duskin, Miyesha McGriff, Asha Singh, Devan Smith, Skyler Taylor
OR
Heather Costello, Kaitlin Heibel, Andrea Mason, Sara Beth Rothhammer, Alyssa Schneider, Rachel Schneider, Dempsey Ward, Nina-Rose Wardanian
 
 Valse-Fantaisie
The Balanchine ballet presented in this program is protected by copyright. Any unauthorized recording is prohibited without the expressed written consent of The George Balanchine Trust and the Conservatory of Music and Dance - UMKC. © The George Balanchine Trust
Choreography George Balanchine © The George Balanchine Trust
Music Mikhail Glinka - Valse Fantasie in B minor
Staged Jerri Kumery
Costumes inspired by Karinska
Conservatory Lighting Design EJ Reinagel
Rehearsal Direction Paula Weber
Costume Construction Paula Weber
Dancers (by cast) Angela Shipman, Gavin Stewart and Pamela Auinbauh, Alyssa Gold, Vashti Gorake, Appie Peterson
OR
Kelanie Murphy, Erik Sobbe and Jillian Carlile, Lynley Schafer, Caitlin Schuler, Stephanie Shipman
 
 Afternoon of a Faun
Choreography Salvatore Aiello © Salvatore Aiello trust
Staged Jerri Kumery and Ronald Tice
Music Claude Debussy - Prelude a l'Apres-midi d'un Faune
Costume Design Allison L. Cain
Costume Construction Paula Weber
Conservatory Lighting Design EJ Reinagel
Rehearsal Direction Ronald Tice
Dancers (by cast) Michael Tomlinson, Sharmaine Perea, Megan Squires, Skyler Taylor, Ashley Zimmerman
OR
Gavin Stewart, Chloe Abel, Marie Buser, Britany Duskin, Devan Smith
 
 Les Oiseaux
Choreography Josh Beamish
Music Borut Krzisnik and by Tchaikovsky as interpreted by Rudy Braff and Dick Hyman: March to Eternity and Swan Lake
Costume Design Paula Weber
Costume Construction Paula Weber and Gayla Voss
Lighting Design EJ Reinagel
Rehearsal Direction DeeAnna Hiett
Dancers Siegfried: Michael Tomlinson
Odette: Elaine Kimble and Miyesha McGriff
Odile: Mark Gieringer
Firebird: Brittany Duskin
Ivan, the Hunter: Erik Sobbe
Rothbart: Gavin Stewart
Black Swans: Marie Buser, Heather Costello, Abi Engelhardt, Mari Watson, White Swans: Chloe Abel, Marlee Bailey, Marie Buser, Kassi Butler, Shanna Colburn, Heather Costello, Haley Day, Willa Dock, Abi Engelhardt, Chasmine Gerschefske, Shannon Hutsler, Kelanie Murphy, Whitney Ricketts, Asha Sinah, Megan Squires, Janna Tharp, Nina-Rose Wardanian, Mari Watson
 
 Purple
Choreography Gary Abbott
Music Gabriel Prokofiev
Music performed Elysian Quartet & Gabriel Prokofiev - String Quartet No. 1 and String Quartet No. 1 - the Remix
Costumes Design and Construction Paula Weber
Lighting Design EJ Reinagel
Rehearsal Direction DeeAnna Hiett
Dancers Chloe Abel, Mackenzie Allen, Brittany Duskin, Mark Gieringer, Ashley Odom, Sharmaine Perea, Asha Singh, Devan Smith, Erik Sobbe, Gavin Stewart, Skyler Taylor, Michael Tomlinson
OR
Kassi Butler, Jillian Carlile, Willa Dock, Mark Gieringer, Kaitlin Heibel, Miyesha McGriff, Kelanie Murphy, Sharmine Perea, Asha Singh, Erik Sobbe, Gavin Stewart, Michael Tomlinson

Ashley Zimmerman in studio rehearsal for Shostakovich Jazz Suite by Ronn Tice
Ashley Zimmerman in studio rehearsal for Shostakovich Jazz Suite by Ronn Tice

Shostakovich Jazz Suite in studio rehearsal - Choreography: Ronald Tice
Shostakovich Jazz Suite in studio rehearsal - Choreography: Ronald Tice

 

The Balanchine ballet presented in this program is protected by copyright. Any unauthorized recording is prohibited without the expressed written consent of The George Balanchine Trust and the Conservatory of Music and Dance – UMKC.

 



Unless otherwise noted photos and copyright 2024 Mike Strong KCDance.Com and Mike Strong Photo Gallery and CV Site - Email This Page

UMKC Dance Division page links on this site

UMKC Dance Division moments between studio classes

Dance Division moments between studio classes

Fall Concerts
 With staff and guest choreography 

November 2017
November 2016
November 2015
November 2013
November 2012
November 2011
November 2010
November 2009
November 2008
November 2007
November 2006
November 2005

Spring Concerts
 Held every April with staff and visiting choreography. A showcase for the year. 

April 2017
April 2016
April 2014
April 2012
April 2011
April 2010
April 2008
April 2007

Other Dance Concerts and Dance Division Events at UMKC
 Held every April with staff and visiting choreography. A showcase for the year. 

Carmina Burana
CORPS de Ballet 2011 Conference with the introduction of the Tudor Curriculum
Battleworks Concert - 25 October 2008
UMKC Master Class with Robert Battle - 20-24 Oct 2008
Note: as of spring 2011 Robert Battle took over as Artistic Director of Alvin Ailey from the retiring Judith Jamison.
Master Class with Donald McKayle - August 2006
100th Year Anniversaryof the Conservatory - April 2006

Senior Recitals
These are held in the winter semester and the graduating seniors begin signups and rehearsals early in the fall semester. This is one of their last graded works. Each senior choreographs and directs a group piece and performs in a solo which may be self-choreography or another's and may also be a duet if there is a large enough mix of solo to duet.

There are a number of recital concerts, depending on the total number of seniors. Generally the mid-week concerts have in-town seniors while those with families out of town are scheduled for Saturdays so relatives can attend.

Senior Recital 2012
Senior Recital 2011
Senior Recital 2008
Senior Recital 2007
Senior Recital 2005

Related Links
 Non-UMKC events which have UMKC dancers, staff or visiting artists. 

Don McKayle talk 24 Jan 2008 at Public Library, KCMO about Kansas City Ballet piece he was commisioned to create.
UMKC guys in Romeo and Juliet at Kansas City Ballet Spring 2008 backstage in costumes.
Wylliams/Henry Sept 2006 and "Games ," choreography Donald McKayle.

For some of the least expensive, good dance entertainment in Kansas City the University of Missouri Kansas City's Conservatory of Dance and Music's Dance Division offers some of the best young adult dancers in the area. UMKC's Dance Division is among the top dance schools in the country. Those of us who live in this area often miss that distinction but people elsewhere know (isn't it always so?).