Pitt Dance Ensemble to Perform in "Disengaged" March 26, 27, and 28

PITTSBURGH-The University of Pittsburgh Dance Ensemble will present "Disengaged"-a formal dance concert with choreography by students and professional guests featuring ballet, jazz, tap, and modern styles of dance-at 8:15 p.m. March 26, 27, and 28 in the Trees Hall Dance Studio, Allequippa and Darragh streets, Oakland.

This year's guest choreographers include Michelle Hall Dawson, a former dancer with the Dance Alloy Theater in Pittsburgh, and Greer Reed-Jones, the education director for the Dance Alloy Theater.

Dawson's piece, titled "In the Station," is set to Beethoven's "Moonlight" Sonata and features seven of the ensemble's dancers. According to Dawson, "In the Station" depicts "the passing of love and time and the eternity of waiting, knowing that personal loss and grief can arrive in some unexpected ways." This work also was performed earlier this month at the American College Dance Festival at Pennsylvania State University.

In a strikingly different dance style, Reed-Jones' piece for the ensemble, titled "Hot Jambalaya," showcases 18 of the ensemble members. The work celebrates the spirit of New Orleans and the strength of that community following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

Pitt student choreographers for "Disengaged" include Lauren Brune, who choreographed a ballet; Greg McCummings, who choreographed a hip-hop piece; and Christiana Thurton, Leah Dowdy, Kelli Gabriel, Liz Chebra, Lauren MacLaughlin, and Kaitlin Weaver, who choreographed modern dance works. Kristin Haughney's tap dance, "Unified Discordance," will feature 15 students dancing to the music of Janet Jackson.

Susan Gillis-Kruman, a School of Education faculty member, has provided her expertise in dance education as advisor to and director of Pitt's Dance Ensemble since 1978. The Dance Ensemble, housed in the Department of Health and Physical Activity and supported by the Student Government Board, is a Pitt student dance group that performs theatrical dance and provides classes, workshops, and master classes for interested students. Many of the students choreograph, perform, and work behind the scenes to produce concerts during the year.

General seating tickets for "Disengaged" are $6 for the public and $3 for students and may be purchased at the door. For more information, contact Susan Gillis-Kruman at 412-648-8262 or gillis@pitt.edu.

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3/20/09/tmw