Friday, September 21, 2001

Australia’s vibrant, multifaceted dance company Bangarra Dance Theatre takes over UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium at 8 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 9. Their performance of Corroboree is the first in the 2001-02 UNCW Arts in Action Performing Arts Series.

As Australia’s leading contemporary aboriginal dance company, Bangarra Dance Theatre combines technically sophisticated street-wise choreography with ceremonial and ritual traditions that date from 40,000 years ago. With bodies at times coated in white ash, indigenous dancers enact elemental scenes of Corroboree, giving voice to the aboriginal “dreamtime” and responding to the impact of modern society on traditional life. The troupe’s dances, which were once conceived as rituals to the gods, now inform audiences about what it means to be an indigenous Australian in the modern world.

The creative team gathered for Corroboree includes: Stephen Page, choreography; David Page and Steve Francis, music; Joe Mercurio, lighting design; Stephen Page and John Matkovic, set design; Jennifer Irwin, costume design; Djakapurra Munyarryun, cultural consultant; and Peggy Misi, additional composition for Turtle.

Bangarra Dance Theatre was formed in 1989 by Carole Johnson, founding director of Australia’s National Indigenous Dance School, along with graduates. In 1991, Stephen Page became artistic director, and the following year he choreographed the company’s first full-length work Praying Mantis Dreaming. As chief choreographer for Bangarra, Page developed a dance language that combined his aboriginal heritage with his urban lifestyle.

Most of the 14 performers are aboriginal or Torres Straits islanders who bring their personal heritage into the creative process. Djakapurra Numyarryun is Bangarra’s cultural consultant as well as a leading dancer, didjeridu player and singer. The third member of the creative team is Page’s brother, David, an award-winning composer whose musical career follows a similar line to Stephen’s dance career by bringing together musical elements of the past and present — mixing sacred chants, traditional rhythms and electronic urban sounds to “create a spiritual feast for the ears.”

Bangarra Dance Theatre participated in the opening and closing ceremonies of the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney as well as the opening of the Olympic Arts Festival. This year marks the troupe’s first North American tour with Corroboree.

Bangarra Dance Theatre is one of seven music, dance, and theatre events scheduled as part of UNCW’s Arts in Action 2001-02 Performing Arts Series. Other performances are:

Friday, Oct. 27

Ethos Percussion Group

Sunday, Nov. 11

Aquila Theatre in Homer’s “The Wrath of Achilles”

Saturday, Jan. 19

Jane Monheit, jazz vocalist

Friday, Feb. 15

Eighth Blackbird, contemporary chamber ensemble

Saturday, March 16

K.Sridhar: North Indian Classical Music on Sarod

Saturday, April 27

Capitol Steps

Co-sponsorshed with Thalian Hall and WHQR Public Radio

All performances will be held in UNCW’s Kenan Auditorium except the Capitol Steps, which is set for Thalian Hall. Season tickets to the six Kenan Auditorium events are available until Oct. 9. Season tickets offer a 20-percent savings over the price of individual tickets, and purchasers receive priority seating for all performances. A smaller ticket package, the Choose-Your-Own-Series option is available through Nov. 9. It offers a 10-percent savings for ticket purchases to four events. Individual tickets, on sale now, are priced at $5.50 for UNCW students and children age 12 and under; $11.50 for UNCW faculty/staff; and $17.50 for all others. Tickets for The Capitol Steps may be purchased at Thalian Hall by calling 343-3664.

For tickets or additional information about the Arts in Action Series, call the Kenan Auditorium Box Office at 962-3500 or 1-800-732-3643 between noon and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. Information is available at www.uncwil.edu/stuaff/arts.



A dancer from Bangarra Dance Theatre

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