(1971)  Laser I (Duet)
Laser I (Duet) was the first laser collaboration of Maida Withers with Rockne Krebs.  Maida and Rockne were associates on the Board of Directors for Washington Project for the Arts, Washington, DC.  The original choreography, by Maida, was with dancers Michael Killgore and Lynda Spikell. Later, Laser I was performed by Brook Andrews and Lynda Spikell.  Music was a recording of George Harrison, British Beatles composer/musician.
Laser I (Duet) Premiere performance with Rockne Kreb’s laser installation was created and performed in Marvin Betts Marvin Theatre, Washington, DC.  No photos are available of the Laser Installation.

The laser installation was created with red laser light about 3 inches off the floor. Dancers were not required to wear protective attire because the “red” laser was used.  The large stage space accommodated Rockne’s large “W” structure (like the letter “W”).  Dry ICE was used to create an onstage atmosphere that would accommodate and make visible the red laser light.  Being close to the floor, the laser was interrupted by the dancers when they stood in the light or when they passed through in the choreography.  It was a beautiful set and an exquisite environment for a performance.  The original concept for the choreography required a casting of a male body and a female body that were identical in height and body image.  The choreography was a strong statement by Maida regarding her “feminist” views of equality for men and women.  The dancers were perfect in their physical equity.  The choreography was extremely imaginative in creating moves, designs and other images that captured the essence of the perfect balance of men and women related to gender identity.  The choreography was very inventive and intriguing, consequently.

The second casting was not based on the identical structure of the two dancers. It continued to be interesting, but did not have the visual power of the identical casting.  The work was performed without a laser installation by Krebs.

Original cast (1971) – Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre with laser installation by Rockne Krebs.

Michael Killgore and Lynda  Spikell




Brook Andrews and Lynda Spikell (no laser i

Brook Andrews and Lynda Spikell

Early works -1966 to 1973