Pioneers: An American Dance Retrospective

A Dance Theatre of Lynchburg
Studio Theatre Performance
April 27 and 28 at 8 pm and April 29 at 3 pm
Tickets $10.00/$7.50 students and seniors

The Repertory Ensemble and Young Dancers of Dance Theatre of Lynchburg revive classic dance selections from American dance history in this seventh annual production of Pioneers. The program begins with Soaring, a work choreographed in the 1920s by Doris Humphrey, featuring the illumination of an ever-changing twenty-five-foot square of china silk. Also on the program is Shakers, a stirring glimpse into the communitarian impulse of the devout religious group, choreographed by Humphrey in the 1930s. Pioneers includes the revival of Negro Spirituals, a powerful piece of choreography arranged in solos, trios, and circles÷each movement set to its own traditional spiritual. The work was created in stages between the years of 1928 and 1941 by Helen Tamiris. This year, Country Style joins the repertory. A work choreographed by the late David Wood, former member of the Martha Graham Dance Company, Country Style is performed to the music of Virgil Thompson, Acadian Songs and Dances, revealing its folk dance influences. Finally, a new work created in the pioneering spirit by Keith Lee, Artistic Director, features the Young Dancers of Dance Theatre of Lynchburg. Please join us for this American dance retrospective.