Laser Dance – Suites of Light, Public Presentation

Event, Expansion (80s and 90s), Installation / Visual, Interactive Technology, Interdisciplinary Collaboration, Live Music, Original Music, Stage Works, Technology and Dance

Original Performance on January 9, 1985

(1985) January 9 “Suites of Light” Laser / Dance / Music (work in progress
Alumni Relations Office Event Sponsor
Lisner Auditorium, 730 21st Street NW, Washington, DC

Laser Dance “Suites of Light,” Public Presentation of work-in-progress.
Maida Withers, Choreographer; Rockne Krebs, Laser Sculptor; Bob Boilen, Composer/Musician; and Dance Construction Company dancers engaged in a public presentation on stage at Lisner Auditorium, discussing the creation process of the multidisciplinary Laser Dance project. The artists, with an audience of 300 people, explored how the multiple art forms (laser light beams, dance, and synclavier music) could combine to create a ground breaking space odyssey. Laser Dance was developed with collaborators Rockne Krebs, Bob Boilen, and Maida Withers, with nine dancers from the Dance Construction Company. The public event, sponsored by GW Alumni Relations Office, was held in Lisner Auditorium in downtown Washington, DC five months before the premiere of Laser Dance (June 6, 1985). At this time, Laser Dance was called Suites of Light. See video rehearsal and performance/presentation on video. Due to the early date of this presentation, the project was not complete so the presentation is not in the order of what became the actual performance.

The final work, a four-part evening-length space odyssey (Part I: Departure, Part II: Quest, Part III, Domain, Part IV, Rites/Skylight/and Departure) of choreography that takes place inside a large-scale installation of argon laser beams created by Rockne Krebs and Sylclavier II music by Bob Boilen. Laser beams originating from upstage center and projected toward 50 mirrors placed in Lisner Auditorium walls and on stage. When the beams are interrupted (human body or stilts), the visual grid of beams would be altered on stage and above the audience in the house. Sound installation by Bob Boilen with Synclavier II electronic instrument is a riveting score, generously enhancing the choreography by Maida Withers. Laser Dance, premiered June 6, 1985:

“We imagined where the beams would be on stage when doing the choreography, but in reality, we had to find the beams to interact with them during performance.” Maida Withers

“The space odyssey was one of several works that reveal my curiosity about man/woman on planet earth, but more life in “the universe.” Laser Dance is a myth of sorts, where dancers come from an unknown universe and occupy the “installation” and eventually exit. The FDA spent almost 6 hours the day of performance approving the laser installation. It was important to ensure that no beams would impact the eyes of dancers or audience. As dancers, we covered our bodies with costumes and shoes and wore protective goggles. This was an extraordinary “mythic” existence.” Maida Withers

“Performing in laser beams is a challenge. The beams need darkness or an atmosphere in the air that allows the laser beam to be seen. This created difficulties in taking photos and video of the production.”

History of Laser Dance:
*(1971) Laser I (Duet) – 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 dancers were Michael Killgore and Lynda Spikell. Later, Laser I was performed by Brook Andrews and Lynda Spikell. Music: Harrison; Laser Installation – Rockne Krebs. Premiere: Betts Marvin Theatre, Washington, DC. The Dance Construction Company deeply appreciates the generous support of patrons of Maida Withers Dance Construction Company support with individual donations; DC Commission on the Arts; generous in-kind donations, other.

Early works -1966 to 1973

*The choreography, after the premiere of Laser Dance, was performed without the laser installation on two occasions (see Laser Dance – Quest, Domain – Dialogue in the archive).

Choreography: Maida Withers
Laser Sculptor: Rockne Krebs
Stilts: Brook Andrews and Rockne Krebs
Synclavier II Composer: Bob Boilen
Producer: District Curators
Sponsers: Disstrict Curators and Maida Withers Dance Construction Company
Premiere: Lisner Auditorium, Washington, DC. June 6 & 7, 1985

Rockne Krebs, Maida Withers, Bob Boilen
3 collaborators portrait Maida Withers, Bob Boilen, Rockne Krebs Photo shot during public presentation.Photo shot during public presentation, work in progress
Preview - Man stands with hands on hips in laser - slide Photo shot during public presentation, work in progress

Artists and Collaborators

Additional Information