Dance

Prairie Wind Dancers Announce 2004-05 Season

Dangerous Curves: Breast Cancer Journey

Oct. 22, 23

Young Audience performances (TBA)

November

A Kansas Nutcracker

Dec. 10, 11, 17, 18 — 7:30pm; Dec. 12, 19 — 2pm

Concert in Celebration of First Step House

Feb. 9 — 7pm

Choreographer’s Showcase

Feb. 18, 19 — 7:30pm

Arkansas State University performance

Mar. 9 (Jonesboro, Ark.)

New Works Concert

Apr. 15, 16 — 7:30pm

Young Audience performances (TBA)

April/May

Prairie Fest

June 5 (Arkansas City, Kan.)

Susan Warden Named Artistic Director of Prairie Wind Dancers

Susan Warden, award-winning choreographer and long-time trainer for the Prairie Wind Dancers, will step into the role of artist director of the company, a post held by founder Candi Baker for 17 years. Candi, who also serves as Dance program director at the Lawrence Arts Center, will continue to work weekly with the company.

The Prairie Wind Dancers is a professional contemporary dance company dedicated to exploring and sharing the deep commonality of human experience through movement.

This commonality is expressed in the company’s versatile and accessible repertoire that has consistently delighted audiences with its appealing variety of themes and music. The six-member company has been touring the Midwest for 17 years, sharing movement through concerts and dynamic dance workshops for students of all ages. Susan’s experience and clarity of vision promises to take this company to exciting new heights.

Susan holds an MFA in dance from the University of North Carolina and was artistic director of her own company, The Susan Warden Dancers, for many years in Manhattan, Kan. and Kansas City. Susan is a well-known regional choreographer and has choreographed for PWD, as well as other dance companies including Kansas City Ballet Company. Recently she has served as adjunct faculty at UMKS Conservatory and taught at Penn Valley Community College, as well as being guest artist and consultant to several university dance programs and companies. She has received two NEA Choreography Fellowships and a Kansas Arts Commission Choreography Fellowship.

Introducing Our Dancers

Six dancers and one new apprentice will join the Prairie Wind Dancers this season.

Bridget Bartholome trained at Houston Ballet Academy, Pacific Northwest Ballet, Evanston Ballet, Westport Ballet and The University of Arizona where she received a degree in cultural anthropology. She was a company member of The New Orleans Dance Collective and has been the dance critic for Review Magazine. She owns Studio B in Kansas City, choreographs and teaches yoga and ballet.

Whitney Boomer holds a BS in dance from Kansas State University where she performed with the university’s repertory company. She started her dance study at the age of 4 at Washington Dance Studio in Manhattan, Kan., and since 1998 she has taught ballet and jazz for that studio.

Malinda Crump holds an MFA in dance and a BA in psychology from Webster University. Malinda danced with aha! dance theatre for two years and worked with local choreographer Michelle Diane Brown. She recently co-directed an independent dance performance with Penelope Hearne in Kansas City. She teaches at the City in Motion School of Dance and the Classical Ballet School.

Tuesday Faust begins her first year with Prairie Wind Dancers after a year-long sabbatical in Amsterdam, Netherlands. During her year abroad she worked with David Hernandez, Renate Graziadei and Laura Moro. Previously she was a dancer/choreographer with aha! dance theatre and City in Motion Dance Theatre. She earned her BFA in modern dance from Texas Christian University.

Beau Hancock decided at a very early age that he would rather dance than do just about anything else. His passion for dance brought him to The University of Kansas, where he will graduate with a BA in dance and American studies in May 2005. Beau is a founding member of the Bowery Dancers, a Lawrence-based experimental dance company. He has performed with Cohan/Suzeau Dance Company and University Dance Company.

Amanda January graduated from the University of Missouri-Kansas City Conservatory with a BFA in dance. She has attended summer intensive programs by Mark Morris and Alvin Ailey. Amanda trained at American Dance Center for two years and she began her dance life at Leigh’s School of Dance.

Laura Parkhurst (apprentice) is a recent graduate from Kansas State University with a BS in dance. Laura has been dancing and performing since the age of 4 and has had opportunities to work with the Joffrey Ballet Company and Ballet Oklahoma. She also has taught in dance studios in Wichita and Manhattan, Kan.

A Kansas Nutcracker:
December 10, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19

Years ago, in a place to imagine, imaginations went back to the Kansas Territory of the 1850s to explore the life of a small prairie girl at holidays. A party day for Clara becomes the ballet A Kansas Nutcracker. The ballet was crafted for two special events: the first holiday season at the new Arts Center in 2002, and for Lawrence’s 2004 sesquicentennial celebration.

The action, set design and characters have historical significance for the Kaw Valley area. Dances reflect the ebb and flow of cultures traveling the America of the time and the possible crossing of paths in Lawrence. The ballet is danced to the musical arrangements of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker by Jeff Dearinger, founder and musical director of the Uptown Mandolin Quartet. The musical score is performed by a 12-piece mandolin orchestra. Ric Averill wrote the frolicking script and directs the energetic actors. The dreams and visions of Clara are those of choreographer Deborah Bettinger, artistic director of Lawrence Youth Ballet and Lawrence Ballet Ensemble, and Candi Baker, artistic founder of Prairie Wind Dancers. The production features over 100 professional and community dancers and actors. Don’t miss this Kansas holiday favorite!

AUDITIONS for dancers and actors

Dancers and actors will audition for roles on Sunday, Sept. 19.

We will strive to include everyone, if possible.

We have many different roles and ways for dancers and actors, ages 5-adults, to participate. Join the fun!

Dancers must be enrolled in a dance technique (ballet, modern dance, jazz, tap) class in order to participate.

Rehearsals will begin in October.

Enrollment will take place at auditions.

There is a participation fee of $85.

Audition Day: Sunday, Sept. 19, 1-6 pm

PLEASE CALL FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TO SIGN UP FOR YOUR AUDITION: 843-ARTS (2787).