If Cal State University Long Beach’s Department of Dance’s Four Frames From the Wide Floating Ground was part of a dance competition, they wouldn’t have won anything. It was a mixture of good and bad performances.
Four Frames From the Wide Floating Ground, a combination of four separate performances as part of four graduate choreographers’ theses. Graduate students Jenilyn Brown, Renee Murray, Sara Pfeifle and Sarah Wilbur devised their own choreography projects. Those students used Dance Department’s dancers as tools to present their work. Two shows were great and two shows were plain boring and annoying.
The first performance was the five-minute documentary film, Here Comes Everybody: A Wide Sky Dance Project.
“I liked the show, because I’m a Dance major,” Freshman Amanda Corrigan said. “I appreciate what they do.”
However, the dance presentation took a nose dive into plain boredom and annoyance with screeching balloon sounds in Will It Float? If you were in the audience, you’d want to take a restroom break to get away from the screeching sound when the dancers rub on the balloons.
“I did not like the balloon show,” Freshman Breanna Bruett, a Business major, said. “I found it irritating.”
Know One was slightly better than Will It Float? In this performance, the dancers appeared a bit more alive as they talked and danced. Their muscles appeared very prominent when they did Yoga-like movements. If you have ever taken Yoga, you’d know how darn hard it is to keep the body up when you just have one foot and one hand on the floor. Well, those dancers were able to do it within a heartbeat with no mishaps.
The last of the four performances, Slippery When Dry was the climax of Four Frames From the Wide Floating Ground where the dancers threw water around on stage, themselves and on each other which was reminiscent of what Blue Man Group does with paint.
Monday, October 19, 2009
BYU Ballroom Dancing was a Hit at CSULB
Left: Courtesy of BYU Ballroom Dance Company
Internationally known BYU Ballroom Dance Company presented their picture perfect show CaptureThe Magic with harrowing lifts and fast spins at Cal State University Long Beach Saturday with flying colors.
You may shrug at ballroom dancing, which is usually considered upper class, but you’d definitely be in awe if you attended a show presented by BYU Ballroom Dance Company. The male and female dancers managed to keep their smiles on during the entire dynamic show, and even enlightened the show with a 1950s dance part seen in the film Hairspray starred by Zac Efron.
Photo above: Courtesy of Flixster.com
During the Hairspray part, it was humorous when the females lifted the man spraying his hair.
Foxtrot, west coast swing, salsa, tango, rumba, waltz, samba and cha cha were some of the dances seen in this amazing energetic show. The dancers could easily move the showcase very smoothly between elegant formation routines, basic ballroom steps and fast-paced rhythmic pieces. They even included Latin-style dance routines.
Songs for a New World at Long Beach Performing Arts Center
Jason Robert Brown, a very well-known lyricist in Broadway
Songs for a New World, written by Tony-Award winning composer, drew a large audience on its opening night at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center Friday, with several memorable songs.
“What I feel to be true is that you need people around you,” said Jason Robert Brown, the multi-award winning composer, in the Oct. 16 issue of The Long Beach Telegram (http://www.presstelegram.com/books/ci_13570946). “You do need to be supported.” According to the Press-Telegram, Brown wrote Songs for a New World when he was 20 at the beginning of his music career when he was lonely.
Four singers: Parnia Ayari, Anthony Manough, Brent Schindele and Jennifer Shelton did an excellent job emotionally conveying the meaning that Brown wanted to share with the audience.
Learn more about Brown here: http://www.jasonrobertbrown.com/.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
BYU Dance Team is Coming to CSULB Saturday Oct. 17
Photos: Courtesy of CSULB Dance Department and BYU
BYU's Champion Ballroom Dance Team is coming to CSULB's Carpenter Center of Performing Arts to share their talent. The show is at 2 p.m. on Oct. 17.
The BYU Ballroom Dance Company performance will entertain an audience with a spectacular variety of dances, including gliding waltzes reminiscent of a royal ball, playful swing dances from the 1950s, and dramatic high-energy Latin-style dances.
Tickets for the Brigham Young University Ballroom Dance Concert on Saturday, Oct.17 are $27.50 for adults, and $17.50 for children 16 years of age and younger.
or call (562) 985-7000.
For information on BYU's Ballroom Company, click here:
Q and A with Jessica Oliver, Who Played Emily in Our Town
#1: What are your roles in My Town?
Emily Webb
#2: Did you enjoy producing and rehearsing for this play, and why?
It was a wonderful learning experience. Being involved in the process of the play from start to finish helped me grow as an actor.
#3: What obstacles did you face in your role(s) during the rehearsals?
It was challenging to incorporate contemporary views to a play that was written a long time ago that dealt with issues that may not be as important in today's society.
#4: Do you feel the audience would enjoy this play, and would this play be appropriate for all ages or for adults only?
This play is appropriate for people of all ages and will be enjoyable because it talks about different types of people and their lives, and hopefully they can relate to what they see.
#5: In the midst of mid-semester tests, etc, why should students bother coming to watch the play--what will they benefit from seeing this play?
Everybody can take something out of this play, whether it be for entertainment purposes or internalizing the characters' experiences and trying to learn from what the characters go through.
#6: What is the central theme and conflict in this play?
To cherish every moment while you can and not take it for granted before it's too late. To go out and live your life and make a difference/contribution in society.
#7: How would students and faculty relate to this play, if in any way?
The audience will be able to relate to the characters and see themselves in the characters in some way because it deals with issues that people experience throughout their lives such as dealing with school, families, being happy, love, death etc.
#8: Would you have anything to say to include in my story for students and faculty to hear?
My main concern is that a lot of students (especially those who have not been exposed to theatre) will not be able to experience all types of theatre styles with today's high-tech society. Hopefully the audience will be able to experience how different the director has approached this play that has been read and done so many times before. Sometimes the play will be realistic, sometimes it will be unrealistic but the audience will always be reminded that they are watching a play and that we are putting on a play for them, therefore instead of distancing themselves from the play, to personalize what the characters are going through, and to get a message or be provoked to make a difference in their lives!
Emily Webb
#2: Did you enjoy producing and rehearsing for this play, and why?
It was a wonderful learning experience. Being involved in the process of the play from start to finish helped me grow as an actor.
#3: What obstacles did you face in your role(s) during the rehearsals?
It was challenging to incorporate contemporary views to a play that was written a long time ago that dealt with issues that may not be as important in today's society.
#4: Do you feel the audience would enjoy this play, and would this play be appropriate for all ages or for adults only?
This play is appropriate for people of all ages and will be enjoyable because it talks about different types of people and their lives, and hopefully they can relate to what they see.
#5: In the midst of mid-semester tests, etc, why should students bother coming to watch the play--what will they benefit from seeing this play?
Everybody can take something out of this play, whether it be for entertainment purposes or internalizing the characters' experiences and trying to learn from what the characters go through.
#6: What is the central theme and conflict in this play?
To cherish every moment while you can and not take it for granted before it's too late. To go out and live your life and make a difference/contribution in society.
#7: How would students and faculty relate to this play, if in any way?
The audience will be able to relate to the characters and see themselves in the characters in some way because it deals with issues that people experience throughout their lives such as dealing with school, families, being happy, love, death etc.
#8: Would you have anything to say to include in my story for students and faculty to hear?
My main concern is that a lot of students (especially those who have not been exposed to theatre) will not be able to experience all types of theatre styles with today's high-tech society. Hopefully the audience will be able to experience how different the director has approached this play that has been read and done so many times before. Sometimes the play will be realistic, sometimes it will be unrealistic but the audience will always be reminded that they are watching a play and that we are putting on a play for them, therefore instead of distancing themselves from the play, to personalize what the characters are going through, and to get a message or be provoked to make a difference in their lives!
Actor Who Played George Shares Experiences From "Our Town"
Jordan Laurence Digby, a third year CSULB Theater major, who played George Gibbs in Our Town shared his experiences as an actor. According to Digby, Our Town was his first play that he read and casted. He eventually fell in love with George. “George is my favorite character because I really see such a growth in him in such an ark in his emotional range,” Digby said. “George is definitely my favorite character.” George was 16 at the beginning of the play, but the play ended when he was 34, as Emily dies from childbirth, according to Digby.
Trevor Biship, Our Town’s director, according to Digby, “is a genius.” He taught Digby how to show the emotions that George was going through after his wife died, and having to care for an ill infant.
“Biship made it contemporary, as the play is set in 1938. I had a cell phone and a laptop. Very contemporary,” Digby said.
Digby won the part for George against 400 other people. Martial arts was what got Digby into acting, since he loved pretending. However, he finds the hours as a student actor grueling—the rehearsals are 6:30 pm to 12 am every day, and he still needs to do his homework and studies. “I am so tired and I do cry,” Digby said. “I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love it. I'm married to the theater. This is my life.”
Read Long Beach Press Telegram's Review of the play here:
http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/ci_13552936
Read the review in te Daily 49er here:
http://www.daily49er.com/diversions/university-players-bring-our-town-into-future-1.1994240
Trevor Biship, Our Town’s director, according to Digby, “is a genius.” He taught Digby how to show the emotions that George was going through after his wife died, and having to care for an ill infant.
“Biship made it contemporary, as the play is set in 1938. I had a cell phone and a laptop. Very contemporary,” Digby said.
Digby won the part for George against 400 other people. Martial arts was what got Digby into acting, since he loved pretending. However, he finds the hours as a student actor grueling—the rehearsals are 6:30 pm to 12 am every day, and he still needs to do his homework and studies. “I am so tired and I do cry,” Digby said. “I wouldn't trade it for anything in the world. I love it. I'm married to the theater. This is my life.”
Read Long Beach Press Telegram's Review of the play here:
http://www.presstelegram.com/lifestyle/ci_13552936
Read the review in te Daily 49er here:
http://www.daily49er.com/diversions/university-players-bring-our-town-into-future-1.1994240
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Amazing Chinese Acrobat Pictures Here from Oct. 2009
All photos Courtesy of Shangri La Chinese Acrobats
Performers were trained to do demonstrations like in this picture on the left.
Men dove through hoops like what you see below.
The hoops were not glued to each other, and easily could fall apart if touched. The hoops were made of cardboard.
Performers here dressed as Chinese Dragons, and they danced and balanced on the ball without falling.
The most memorable demonstration in the show at the end was the bike with performers waving fans.
"Do not try this at home," Carpenter Performing Arts Center's Director Michele Roberge said. "They started training very young."This woman here only dropped one wine glass when she was on a see saw.
Having had performed at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the talented Shangri-La Chinese Acrobats amazed people of all ages at CSULB Saturday sharing their harrowing and death-defying displays with their extremely flexible bodies.
The worldwide experienced acrobats taught Americans that they can associate the fascinating Orient with acrobatic art, not just rice and sushi. The harmony of body and mind part of ancient Oriental tradition can be clearly seen in the acrobats, who easily could bend their bodies into angles unimaginable by the viewer.
See more pictures of the show here: http://www.sroartists.com/artists/shangrilachineseacrobats/index.php
See other reviews online here:
See videos of this show here:
Sunday, October 11, 2009
Nat King Cole's Music Visited CSULB
As the audience sat relaxed with wine at their tables, vocalist Allan Harris intermittently allowed his colleague take over the stage with his saxophone, while he closes his eyes, dancing to the music. “This is the life for me,” Harris said to the audience after he opened his eyes.Allan Harris. Photo courtesy of Carpenter Performing Arts Center
Harris then impersonated as a rapper for a moment, and the room filled with laughter. Snapping his fingers and dancing to the beat of the drums behind him, with his invitation, the audience joined him clapping hands. Then at times out of the blue, he stops moving and stares at the audience in silence. “But I love you...” Harris begins singing again.
“Please do not forget to please..” Harris sang on. Harris was a black man dressed in black with a married ring who was ready to entertain. “My love? My tears? Or Forever?” Harris asked the audience which of Nat King Cole's songs to sing. On stage, men of two different races (Black and Caucasian) performed together in harmony.
“Racism is simply a fact of life in America - even though there are times it can be very subtle,” Harris said. “However, if you want to be creatively successful in this life, you've got to reach above and beyond any kind of discrimination and use it to empower you. It's not easy but success never is.”
Learn more about Allan here: http://www.allanharris.com/.
Our Town was a hit at CSULB
George Gibbs (Jordan Laurence Digby) and Emily Webb (Jessica Oliver)
Jordan Laurence Digby (George) and Avery Henderson (Rebecca Gibbs)
All photos above courtesy of University Players taken by Keith Ian Polakoff
Theater Department's Our Town was a big hit among CSULB students on its opening night Friday which gave everyone a glimpse of what simplicity is—such as love and finding your own life path.
Managing to find a spot in the packed studio at the Theater Arts Building, you'd be sitting with cast members as they sing when the play opens up. Trevor Biship, the play's director, had an objective of modernizing Thornton Wilder's Pulitzer-Award winning 1938 play Our Town to the year of 2009.
“Our production is imagining this 1938 play for a contemporary audience by setting it in 2009,” Biship said. “In making the specific choice of seeing how Wilder's language, characters and conflicts resonate with a contemporary America, I hope that all audience members will be affected in a new way by the seminal American play.”
As you may be aware of, iPods, laptop computers, Blackberry devices, cell phones, Bluetooth and the Internet has led to less face to face interaction between people. However, the characters in Our Town face the same issues as today's young people do—finding first love and finding a life path, according to Biship—which was his main reason for bringing this 1939 play to life today in 2009.
After cast members in the audience stop singing, they help the audience to get acclimated with whereabouts on stage, such as the grocery store, home and the park—which are the main elements that you see in a small town.
The the play moves on reflecting common desires that young people have, such as seeking the first kiss, being a teenager, fighting with parents for more independence and self-identity, getting married and finding a life path.
Yet, during the majority of the play you will watch the evolution of the love relationship between George Gibbs and Emily Webb, a teenage couple in love. “What changed? Will you have a shake with me before you go?”
George asked Emily for their date which eventually led to marriage. However, at the end, a tragedy is waiting to happen. You'd discover what it is with George and Emily.
Running until Oct.24, performances are from Tuesday through Saturday at 8 p.m. and on Saturday at 2 p.m. For tickets, call (562) 985-5526.
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