Christina Sears-Etter

photo by Glen Berring

Local troupe People Dancing will present a Movement Artists' Guild concert at Greenhills School on Friday, kicking off the company's 25th anniversary season.

From the People Dancing press release: This is an exciting concert featuring the choreography of company members and the performances of Movement Artists' Guild Dancers. All Guild and Company artists are residents of the area, although the majority of the Company have professional experience from across the state and nation.

“Down River Road”, a group work choreographed by Guest Artist Kista Tucker, of New York State, will also be performed. Tucker was feautred as the Summer Repertory Workshop Guest Artist in 2009.

Jennifer Colwell and J. Amber Kao co-choreograph “Put Your World On Stop,” a large ensemble dance which contains detailed gestures and rhythms. Company member since 2005, Amanda Stanger-Read, presents a new chamber dance, charming with spicy undertones, to music by jazz legend Billie Holliday. Christina Sears-Etter, Company Artistic Director, offers a new ensemble piece which explores the apron as an icon of femininity. The dance developed from research regarding the transmission of feminine gender socialization.

Anna McGarry, an alumni from the University of Michigan Dance Department, offers “Finding Silence” a dramatic and richly layered group work, which includes the music of Aphex Twin, inspired by the complexities faced by those working in the mental health/therapeutic professions. Suzanne Willets-Brooks presents a new group work filled with dynamic physicality and her trademark athleticism.

Lighting Design for the entire show is created by Guest Artist Dave Early, who is in residence at Greenhills School, and whose biography follows below.

Mr. Early, Guest Lighting Designer, is the Theatre Manager for the Campbell Center for the Performing Arts at Greenhills School. A transplant from North Carolina, Dave has served many roles for local arts organizations across Washtenaw County over the past seven years, sometimes building shows, sometimes designing, and occasionally even performing onstage. His experience as a light designer and electrician has been seen at many regional acts and events, including: The Vocal Arts Ensemble, The Lunatic Vagabonds, The Phoenix Ensemble, and Unveiled Bellydance. He is very honored to be working with People Dancing and Movement Artistsʼ Guild, at this Gala Concert Event.

About the Program: The Movement Artistsʼ Guild is a membership-based program designed to provide opportunities and training for the independent dancer, and for the practicing or aspiring movement artist. Members audition and commit to a annual dues-system for financial support of the group and sign up for a service position. The goal of the group is to create opportunities for choreography and performance, and to provide training and mentoring opportunities for the serious dancer.