(1971)  Laser I (Duet)
Note: Lasers: In 1917, Einstein proposed the process that makes lasers possible. Forty years later (1957) Einstein proposed the process that makes lasers possible. Rockne Krebs began exploration of Laser as art in early 1960s.  Krebs first ever 3-D laser beam installation, Gallery of Modern Art, Washington, DC, 1968 (https://www.rocknekrebs.com/)

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 that created a large red “W” configuration.  Dancers were not required to wear protective attire because the “red” laser was not considered dangerous.  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 the duet 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 original 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 – considered by Withers, “feminist advocate” through MERA (Mormon’s for Equal Right Amendment).

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 as a “feminist” statement.  Laser Dance I, second card, was performed without a laser installation by Krebs in 1974 or 1975 in a Maida Withers Dance Concert celebrating the establishing of Maida Withers and the Dance Construction Company as a federally tax exempt cultural organization in 1974.

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

Michael Killgore and Lynda  Spikell




Laser I:  Brook Andrews and Lynda Spikell (no laser), 1974 or 1975???

Brook Andrews and Lynda Spikell

Early works -1966 to 1973