Celebrated choreography of Tere O’Connor featured in dance concert; Special noon concert added

March 14, 2002

WHAT: The Herberger College of Fine Arts Department of Dance at ASU presents “Spring Dance Collection,” a modern dance concert comprising eight pieces. The concert’s showcase piece is the new work “Taciturn Town,” created by distinguished choreographer Tere O’Connor.

O’Connor has been making dances since 1982, and has created more than 30 works for his company, Tere O’Connor Dance. One of the most talented choreographers to emerge in the United States today, Tere O’Connor created this piece specifically for ASU during his guest artist residency in the winter. The piece is set on 20 ASU dancers.

As described by Mikhail Baryshnikov, O’Connor’s works are “deeply personal, quirky, and utterly amusing, but beneath the humor lies tenderness and truth.”

In addition, this remarkable dance concert features works choreographed by some of the Valley’s most notable dance artists, including faculty members Ann Ludwig, Cliff Keuter, Melissa Rolnick and Mila Parrish.

WHEN: April 4-6, 2002, 7:30 p.m.; there is an additional 2 p.m. matinee on April 6.

Special showing: At noon on April 4, 2002, a shortened program of “Spring Dance Collection” will be presented. Tickets are only $5 for everyone.

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

TICKETS: $14 adults, $12 seniors, faculty and staff; $5 students.

INFORMATION: 480-965-6447.

Other pieces in “Spring Dance Collection:

  • “Wildflowers,” a duet choreographed by Mila Parrish with videography in collaboration with Patricia Clark. “Wildflowers” is a poignant and touching celebration of sisterhood, with discerning imagery and evocative use of color. The work examines issue of individuality, solidarity, isolation, jealousy and friendship.
  • “Area Suite,” choreographed by Brad Garner and set on six dancers. This work is in three sections, and abstractly describes the surrealism of dawn, the mixture of senseless and scared activities of the day, and the night’s lucid suspension of time.
  • “TWO,” a duet choreographed by Ann Ludwig and performed by Janice and Anthony Roberts. “TWO” is a part of a series of works danced by husbands and wives.
  • “Inside (part 1),” a short solo choreographed and performed by Felecia Hammond.
  • “Scintillating Conversation,” choreographed by Kelly Kemp and set on eight dancers. The piece explores the value of repetition and redundancy through sound and movement.
  • “Blood Runs Deep,” choreographed by Melissa Rolnick and set on five dancers. “Blood Runs Deep” explores the longevity of family and family ties. 
  • A piece choreographed by Cliff Keuter.

The Department of Dance is nationally ranked in the top 10 by Dance Teacher Now 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.

Partial funding of the guest artist residency was provided by the Dance/USA and National Endowment for the Arts National College Choreography Initiative and by the Arizona Commission on the Arts, with funding from the State of Arizona and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Media Contact:
Megan Krause
480-965-8795
megan.krause@asu.edu