March 29, 2006 -- An original contemporary ballet by the University of Wyoming, for
the first time, has been selected to be performed during the National College Dance
Festival May 16-18 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington,
D.C.
UW dancers Anna Keller, Missoula, Mont.; Nikki Canete, Rapid City, S.D.; Stephanie
Thomas, Gillette; Bridget Bose, Denver, Colo.; and Eileen Skidmore, Laramie, will
present Department of Theatre and Dance Professor Marsha Knight's original work, "Of
A Mind."
The piece, choreographed to Fritz Kreisler's "Praeludium and Allegro," was selected
by adjudication from 37 works presented at the Northwest Conference of the American
College Dance Festival Association (ACDFA) hosted by UW March 8-11. More than 425
participants from 27 college and university programs representing Arizona, Colorado,
California, Idaho, Utah, Nevada, Virginia, Wisconsin, Washington, Oregon, Montana,
Texas and Wyoming showcased works during six performances. The conference also featured
more than 90 workshops and adjudication feedback sessions.
Adjudicators Bill Evans, Claire Porter and Elizabeth Zimmer recommended 11 of the
37 works for the Northwest Conference Gala Concert. Three of the gala performances
were then selected for the National Festival: "Deux Chaises," Brigham Young University;
"The Lisa Variations," Western Oregon University; and "Of A Mind," UW.
The honor of selection to the ACDFA National Festival is a first for the UW Department
of Theatre and Dance, says Kathy Kirkaldie, the department’s publicist.
ACDFA supports and promotes the wealth of talent and creativity that is prominent
throughout college and university dance departments, primarily by sponsoring 11 annual
regional conferences and a biennial national dance conference that showcases the best
work from each region.
Posted on Wednesday, March 29, 2006
