2008 Woodie Awards
Wild Space Dance Company
Paul Karner
Issue date: 4/29/05 Section: Arts & Entertainment
As the curtain rose last Friday for Wild Space Dance Company's presentation of "Never Stand Still," the audience in Stansbury Theatre looked on in nervous anticipation, waiting for the music to begin. But to the tune of nothing more than the soft scuffle of her feet, a blond-haired dancer emerged from behind a black dress duct-taped to the rear of the stage. The dancer was Debra Loewen, artistic director and founder of Wild Space, and her opening piece set the tone for the rest of the show. As the performance unfolded, the audience was quickly drawn into Wild Space's abstract world of subtle, unexpected beauty.
The dancers' breadth of experience and artistry was highlighted by a seemingly spontaneous mixture of delicate improvisation and stunning choreography. The pieces in "Never Stand Still" were influenced by the work of dancer and choreographer Yvonne Rainer. Rainer's experimental work in the field of dance provided an early framework for the development of choreographic modernism.
The show moved through a number of different moods and settings, seeming to breathe with the changing dynamics of each piece. Notable moments included a quietly gripping solo by company member Daniel Schuchart, and an epic closing number involving a series of compelling choreographic elements set to a chilling orchestral score.
"Never Stand Still" was part of Wild Space's ongoing artistic residency at Lawrence. Loewen's involvement with Lawrence stems from a longstanding working relationship with theatre arts professor Tim Troy. The two had worked together in Troy's pre-Lawrence days, and their connection soon brought Loewen's expertise to our theatre department.
As guest artists, Loewen's dancers have conducted workshops and given performances at Lawrence. Wild Space dancers began their artistic residency in 2000, and since then have become an integral part of the theatre department. In addition to teaching classes, Wild Space dancers serve as curricular and choreographic advisers.
The dancers' breadth of experience and artistry was highlighted by a seemingly spontaneous mixture of delicate improvisation and stunning choreography. The pieces in "Never Stand Still" were influenced by the work of dancer and choreographer Yvonne Rainer. Rainer's experimental work in the field of dance provided an early framework for the development of choreographic modernism.
The show moved through a number of different moods and settings, seeming to breathe with the changing dynamics of each piece. Notable moments included a quietly gripping solo by company member Daniel Schuchart, and an epic closing number involving a series of compelling choreographic elements set to a chilling orchestral score.
"Never Stand Still" was part of Wild Space's ongoing artistic residency at Lawrence. Loewen's involvement with Lawrence stems from a longstanding working relationship with theatre arts professor Tim Troy. The two had worked together in Troy's pre-Lawrence days, and their connection soon brought Loewen's expertise to our theatre department.
As guest artists, Loewen's dancers have conducted workshops and given performances at Lawrence. Wild Space dancers began their artistic residency in 2000, and since then have become an integral part of the theatre department. In addition to teaching classes, Wild Space dancers serve as curricular and choreographic advisers.