High-energy movement influenced by spiritual journeys defines ASU’s Fall Dance Collection

TEMPE, Ariz. – Students from ASU Dance will perform a powerful body of high-energy work inspired by spiritual journeys – in airports, on India’s Ganji River and helping survivors of torture – for ASU’s Herberger Mainstage Dance, Nov. 19-23. Led by internationally recognized choreographer Yin Mei, Fall Dance Collection also features the work of ASU graduate and faculty choreographers Mary Fitzgerald, Chloe Jensen, Melissa Rolnick, Leanne Schmidt and Jennifer Tsukayama. Fall Dance Collection features compelling movement accompanied by diverse music, from Mozart to Radiohead.

WHEN: Nov. 19 at 4 p.m. (special preview); Nov. 20, 21, 22 at 7:30 p.m., and Nov. 23 at 2 p.m.

WHERE: Dance Theatre, PE East 132, 551 E. Orange St. on the Arizona State University campus in Tempe

TICKETS: $14 adults; $12 seniors, faculty, staff and ASU alumni; $5 students. Buy-one, Get-one free on the first Friday of any Mainstage production.

INFORMATION: 480-965-6447

Yin Mei started her career in her native China before moving to the United States to become professor of dance at Queens College in New York. Her choreography has been presented by the Asia Society of New York and is performed worldwide. Of her work, the Los Angeles Times writes, “Yin Mei has a strong sense of design and is a dancer of luminous clarity… a combination of delicacy and strong intention.” The piece Yin Mei choreographed for 12 ASU dancers, “Seeing in the Rain,” is influenced by her trip to India’s Ganji River, an experience that she says “was a true journey of awakening.” Yin Mei’s work is highly multimedia, with computer animation, props and experimental music by Phillip Glass and Radiohead. In 2002, Mei performed her work “Asunder” at Gammage Auditorium. This project is supported by the City of Tempe, Arizona Commission on the Arts and ASU Public Events, with funding from the State of Arizona and National Endowment for the Arts.

Mary Fitzgerald, professor of dance, choreographed the piece “Proverb,” which is set on two male dancers, Brad Garner and Yeongwen Lee. “It is rare to see two men dance together with such a high skill level,” says Fitzgerald. “We are exploring risk-taking and complex partnering that is dependent on the dancers’ awareness of each other.”

Chloe Jensen, an ASU Dance graduate student, is artistic director of the AMEBA Acrobatic and Aerial Dance Company based in Chicago. Jensen will perform “Inside My Head,” a physically demanding work that explores a wide range of movement and gestures.

Melissa Rolnick, assistant professor of dance, is originally from New York and has been performing since 1981. She choreographed “Soaring,” which will be performed by Marilyn Maywald. “Soaring” is the third dance in a trilogy titled “SHE,” which is inspired by a group of women refugees who are survivors of torture. Rolnick has worked extensively with the group, helping them use dance as a vehicle for health and well-being.

Leanne Schmidt, an ASU Dance graduate student, is a native of Buffalo, New York and has worked with the Limon Company. Schmidt will perform her piece “Flight #685: Boston to Nowhere,” a surreal look at the thoughts of a traveler stuck in an airport.

Jennifer Tsukayama, professor of dance, choreographed the piece “Union,” which is set on six dancers. The work explores the complexity of intimate human relationships.

The Department of Dance in the ASU Herberger College of Fine Arts is nationally ranked in the top 10 by Dance Teacher magazine. Its graduate program is ranked fifth and its undergraduate program is ranked ninth. The ARCO Performance Arts College Guide calls the department one of the “most highly recommended programs” in the country. To learn more about the Department of Dance, visithttp://dance.asu.edu.

Media Contact:
Denise Tanguay 
480.965.7144
denise.tanguay@asu.edu