"Ave: Bird Dances" finishes two-week run
Date 11/21/2002 12:00 AM | Topic: Arts & CultureThe Luther College Theatre/Dance Department is in its second and final week of the fall dance production, "Ave: Bird Dances." Performances began last week and include Thursday, Nov. 21 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 23 at 4:30 p.m. These productions are running in repertory with the theatre's production of "Book of Days."
Using imagery derived from avian movement patterns, the piece explores the trans-species experience of life as social creatures. From the solo flight of birds of prey to the communal gatherings of migrating geese, bird behavior metaphorically parallels human behavior in society, symbolizing the quest for power, relationship, acceptance and communion.
Student dancer, Martha Jensen ('05) describes the show as being unlike what some might assume when thinking of people dancing like birds. "It's not a show that has us running around in a circle yelling 'caw! caw!' and flapping our arms as fast as we can," Jensen said.
Instead, the dances involved weeks of practice where they started out being improvisational and formed into moves that the student dancers thought were good for the piece.
"This really helped us to develop a personal character for our birds, " said Jensen.
"Ave: Bird Dances" is presented under the artistic direction of Anne Bartlett, who has, according to Jensen, "choreographed beautiful moves that truly reflect different kinds of birds."
When asked about the energy put into every move, Jensen replied that, contrary to what people may think, the dancing is quite strenuous. "It's a lot of high-energy jumping, circling and running. Anne integrated some traditional-style dancing into the different moves, but basically it's a lot of vigorous moving around."
Members of the Luther Vocal Jazz Ensemble perform an original musical score by Bartlett's husband, Jeroen van Tyn, who also composed music for the show. His music has a Native-American tone which paints a picture of birds out in the wilderness flying through the trees and mountains.
All performances happen on the Luther College campus in the Jewel Theatre in the Center for the Arts. Tickets are $5 and are also available at the door.
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Erin Kube
A&E editor
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