Archives

Crossing the Edge

Earth and Environment, Expansion (80s and 90s), Live Music, Original Music, Stage Works

1991 – A physically aggressive duet danced to a saxophone score. The dancers establish a rapport on the ledge between Earth and Sky – dancers John Lancaster and Leah Kline Tabassi at Dance Place January 12 and 13, 1991.

Crossing the Edge was the opening work in the evening followed by Spirit Path, Migration, Remains.

Part of Withers Earth/environment consciousness period. The performance was first danced by Maida and Mark and later by John and Leah Kline Tabassi

Sequence in files:
Crossing the Edge (duet on diagonal)
Spirit Path
Migration
Remains

Still Rush (Original Cast – NYC, NY)

Stage Works, Work

Video above is a rehearsal of the NYC cast shot in NYC, NY.
View performances of Still Rush by MWDCCo:  https://vimeo.com/100908352 and https://vimeo.com/101001560

Premiere performance was January 12 and 13, 1991 at Dance Place, Washington, DC, as part of an evening titled Spirit Path / Migration / Remains (we are checking archives).

1991 – Dancers for Still Rush were auditioned and selected by Maida Withers with Mino Nicholas for the work to be performed in New York City, NY at the French Embassy theatre.  Several producers in NYC forced the cancellation of Mino Nicholas concert due to previous bad behavior (debt, etc).This video is the final rehearsal in NYC before performance in Washington, DC that was sponsored by MWDCC and Dance Place.

“An intricately layered and driving work for seven dancers to a dramatic intense score by the percussion ensemble, Shaman.”  (Flyer) Choreography by Maida Withers for 7 dancers in NYC.  Original commission by Mino Nicholas.  Since the contract was not completed, Maida Withers Dance Construction Company completed the work and premiered it at Dance Place in Washington, DC instead of Maison de Francois in New York City.

Still Rush is part of Withers environment period/era.  The original work was titled Passage, but was changed for performance.  The concept is about Maida’s pioneer ancestors who were drive from Missouri and Illinois (what was called “the plains”) because of their religious beliefs and high number of people and traveled by handcart, wagon, and on foot to what became known as the Salt Lake Valley – at that time not part of the US Territory.  This is one of the great “migrations of man” for religious freedom.  The ancestors were converts to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons) in Scandinavia and England who came to the United States looking to fined a safe haven for religious freedom. Ultimately they were forced to leave the US and settle what became known as the State of Utah.

Dance Place performance – January 12 and 13, 1991.

Orbit (Film Short 3:30)

Expansion (80s and 90s), Films, Original Music, Social Issue_AIDS

1990 – Orbit, an intriguing duet danced by Greg Simione and Eddie Taketa, filmed during the early period framed by the HIV and AIDS crisis.  The film is an excerpt, conceptually and in form, from the evening-length stage work, Obsession, America’s Obsession With Sex.  Love of men for each other is the opening segment in the dance.  This duet is a very short version of a longer dance in the stage work:  http://vimeo.com/8054192.

Orbit was selected for showing:  IMZ Dance Screen, Frankfurt, Germany (1992); Women Make Movies VIII, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC (1993); Women in Film Film / Festival, Kennedy Center, Washington, DC (1990); DC 1990 Rosebud Film Festival. Orbit was shown at Artisphere, October 21, 2011 as part of DANCE:FILMS, Portraits on Screen; DanzLenz, New Delhi, India; and other showings and festivals.

In Earth’s Belly Deep – an emergence myth

Earth and Environment, Expansion (80s and 90s), Experimental, Installation / Visual, Interactive Technology, Stage Works, Work

scanMarkStand
duetbmp
“In Earth’s Belly Deep” – Aerial Dance, Emergency Myth, 1990
Mark Thompson, Cecily Carsky-Miller & John Lancaster

1990 – “It is my desire to bring to life, through dance, music, and visual imagery, the extraordinary physical and spiritual powers experienced when visiting the land of the four corners area in the Southwestern United States and to express the mystery and power of this exotic land and its inhabitants. This work is a quest for the spirit that resides there, a search inside the world of contemporary and ancient myth and legend.”  Maida Withers, 1990.

This aerial work was done long before aerial dancing became part of the modern dance genre. This happened because Cecily Carsky-Miller moved to DC from New York City where  she was an aerial dancer. Mark Thompson was a natural at the aerial work. Truly amazing the work they created together.

The Project:  “In 1988, I returned to the land of my birth in Utah with a group of artists for a five-week experiment of living and dancing on selected land sites to create a dance video.  Each day we understood better how to join with the forces of nature. We experienced the extraordinary physical and spiritual powers of this place and its inhabitants, and we glimpsed our most inward selves. Slowly I began to make linkages between my concern with new art, my own culture, and these ancient sites and people. The connections involve the relationship of nature and culture and, more importantly, raise questions relating to the very meaning and function of art.”  Maida Withers, 1990

Program for Earth Spirit Rising:
IN EARTH’S BELLY DEEP … an emergence myth; Dancers: Cecily Carsky-Miller, Mark Thompson, John Lancaster

IN EARTHS BELLY DEEP…aerial descent from above

MOVING EARTH/DUNES … first light of day (1988 – LEDGE) (The Company; Music by Michael Willis
Maida - DUNES - balance on left arm

MOUNTAIN BIRTHING … a metaphor, a beginning (1988 – LEDGE) (Maida Withers and John Lancaster, Music by Michael Willis)

PATH / MIGRATION … the journey, the perfect courage (The Company, Music by Michael Willis; Photographs by Bruce Hucko) This work was developed during a residency at Yellow Springs Institute, 1989.

SHE WAS A VISITOR … the spirit of place (The Company, Music by Urban Sax; Film by James Byrne and Maida Withers; Set Design by Brian Siegel)

Note; There is some possible confusion of another event titled, Crossing the Edge that incorporated some aspects of this performance.
Marc Dressmthompson kaleidoscopeBMP
 Adam Peiperl, Sculptor, KaleidoscopeKaleidoscopebmpgif
scanKaleidoscope4GIF

Earth Spirit Rising

Earth and Environment, Expansion (80s and 90s), Installation / Visual, Live Music, Metaphysical/Spirit, Original Music, Stage Works, Work

1990   “It is my desire to bring to life, through dance, music, and visual imagery, the extraordinary physical and spiritual powers experienced when visiting the land of the four corners area in the Southwestern United States and to express the mystery and power of this exotic land and its inhabitants.  This work is a quest for the spirit that resides there, a search inside the world of contemporary and ancient myth and legend.”  Maida Withers, 1990
Video above is at vimeo.com #93606130.

EARTH SPIRIT RISING – CONCERT  (March 30, 1990)
Evening-length concert featuring 4 works:
In Earth’s Belly Deep…an emergence myth  (new aerial quartet: https://vimeo.com/93606130)  Cecily Carsky-Miller joined the Company from NYC where she was an aerialist.
Moving Earth/Dunes – first light of day (Maida Withers Solo, In Winds of Sand – https://vimeo.com/101621322)
Mountain Birthing…a metaphor, a beginning  (Maida Withers & John Lancaster Duet, Ledge: https://vimeo.com/100503881)
Path/Migration…the journey…the perfect courage (expanded to a quartet  of Path/Migration duet by Maida Withers and Mark Thompson, https://vimeo.com/101653079)
She was a Visitor…the spirit of place (Maida Withers and Mark Thompson)

Concept and Choreography: Maida Withers with Dancers
Dancers: Cecily Carsky-Miller, Mark Thompson, John Lancaster, Maida Withers.
Music: Michael Willis, William Christie, Rogelio MaxWell, Urban Sax,
Light Design: Carl F. Gudenius
Costume Design:  Mark Thompson
Consultant: Brook Andrews
Utah Film:  James Byrne and Maida Withers
Set:  Brian Siegel
Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, Washington, DC.

Video: Marvin Center Theatre, Washington, DC|
No video: First performance in Arlington, VA.

URL:  http://maidadance.com/works/earth-spirit-rising/

Cecily Carsky-Miller was an aerial artist .Mark Thompson.
Dancers enter from batons above the stage suspended on ropes = decent to the stage…emergence to earth.

scanMarkStand
Mark Thompson

duetbmpMark Thompson and Cecily Carsky-Miller enter from above stage.

Dunes, Maida Withers

 

Perfect Moment – WPA Mapplethorpe Exhibit (Film 9:48)

Films

Documentary Film:  Linda Lewett, Matt Dibble, Maida Withers

1989 – Video taped in 1989 at the height of the NEA censorship controversy. Footage appeared on Oprah! and on newscasts across the country, and in 2011 for Culture Wars: Then and Now at the Corcoran. The exhibition of photographs by Robert Mapplethorpe was mounted at the Washington Project for the Arts after the Corcoran Gallery of Art was pressured to cancel. Interviews feature curator Philip Brookman and James Fitzpatrick, Esq.  Linda Lewett produced and edited, Matt Dibble on camera, and Maida Withers posed the questions to patrons entering and exiting the exhibition in Washington, DC at WPA located on 7th and D Streets NW, Washington, DC.

In 2014 Corcoran Gallery of Art began to be dismantled and assets distributed between National Gallery of Art (collections) and George Washington University (building and education degree program).  Some say that the Mapplethorpe debacle, turning down the exhibition because of fear of retribution from the National Endowment for the Arts, was a fatal decision that is one of the contributors in the default of continuation of the Gallery today.  Corcoan Gallery no longer exists, but the historic FLAGG Building houses the Corcoran School of the Arts and Design.  The GW Theatre and Dance Program is part of the Corcoran School in the Columbian School of the Arts and Sciences.  Maida Withers, Professor, has been part of GW since 1975 where she has been instrumental in developing BA, MA, MFA programs.

Path

Residency, Stage Works

1989 – The Company was selected for a two-week residency, May 9 to 21,1989, at the prestigious Yellow Springs Institute located outside Philadelphia, Pennsylvania – an international center for art and ideas.  The Institute supported the Company with living quarters, technical facilities, and space to begin to create a new work. During the 2-week resident Withers created Path with dancer James Murphey, John Lancaster, Cristy Lamb, Anne McDonald, and Maida Withers; live music by William Eaton.  Visual projection included video by James Byrne, NYC,  and photos of earth photographer, Bruce Hucko, Utah.

This work set the pattern for many earth works to come including the Shaman solos,  This in a curious way was related to Maida’s activism in feminism.

The residency occurred one year after Maida began her 7-year odyssey of visits to Utah and the Four Corner’s area with filmmaker, Verabel Cluff, to reconnect to the place of her birth and her family’s roots.

Path, a multifaceted work created at Yellow Springs was the inspiration for choreography: Spirit Path / Migration,  Earth Spirit Rising,  Dunes, and other Earth works created from 1989 through the premiere of Utah * Spirit Place * Spirit Planet * Tukuhnikivatz at Lincoln Center in 1996.

For further development of concept and choreography, view: Spirit Path / Migration; Ancient Lands, Ancient Peoples, others.

 

 

Ledge

Films, Stage Works

Video produced by Linda Lewett at Fairfax TV (FCAC)Maida - DUNES - balance on left arm
A mythical journey performed by Maida Withers and John Lancaster to an original new music score by composer Michael Willis in a sparse stage set of hanging ropes. This is a full evening duet in seven segments: “Moving Earth/Dunes”, “Mountain Birthing”, “Man Birthing”,  “Earthworks”, “Crossings”, “Earth Spirit Rising” “Soaring.”

The video shown here was created for Channel 10, Fairfax Cable Access Corporation, 1989.

The world premiere, stage performance, was presented in August 1988 at the First International Festival of Dance in Mexico City, Mexico.  The invitation the the Festival came through Ignacio Duran Loera, Minister of Cultural Affairs at the Embassy in Washington, DC.  Maida Withers and John Lancaster spent two weeks in Mexico City at the Autonomous University for the Festival sharing ideas and dances with companies from Italy, Canada, Costa Rica, Germany, and the USA.

USA first performance took place at Dance Place June  4, 1988 and subsequently performed as a completed work in Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, November 1988.

Flyer Information: Ledge: Rope, Sand, Weed, Haunting Chants, Suspended Spinning, A Mythic Journey in Seven Sections.

Produced as a dance video for Metro-Arts Program, Cable TV, Fairfax, Virginia:
Dune (0:00:42 to 0:08:28)
Mountain Birthing  (0:08:33 to 0:21:32)
Man Birthing (0:21:36 to 0:24:18)
Earthworks (0:24:20 to  0:27:00)
Crossings  (0:27:02 to 35:49)
Earth Spirit Rising  (0:35:53  to: 0:38:54
Soaring  (0:39:03 to 0:42:22)

View DUNE also on In Winds of Sand:  https://vimeo.com/101621322 and
Moving Earth /  Dune Solo:  00:00:00 to 0:05:58

View DUNE also on Earth Spirit Rising:  https://vimeo.com/93606130
Moving Earth / Dunes Solo: 0:09:13 to 0: to 0:16:53

Utah Project

Earth and Environment, Expansion (80s and 90s), Films, Metaphysical/Spirit, Project, Residency, Site Work, Stage Works, Work

 

TUK_MRW on RockMaida Withers @ Bears Ears             Bruce Hucko, Photograph

“In 1988, I returned to the land of my birth in Utah with a group of artists for a five-week experiment of living and dancing on selected land sites to create a dance video.  Each day we understood better how to join with the forces of nature.  We experienced the extraordinary physical and spiritual powers of this place and its inhabitants, and we glimpsed our most inward selves.  Slowly I began to make linkages between my concern with new art, my own culture, and these ancient sites and people.  The connections involve the relationship of nature and culture and, more importantly, raise questions relating to the very meaning and function of art.”  Maida Withers, 1990

1988 – 1996 Maida Withers,  choreographer and dancer, born and raised in southern and central Utah, returned to the land of her birth in Utah several times over a seven to eight -year period, 1988 thru 1996, to study and remember the Earth and reengage with ideas both ancient and new.  This period was important to her knowledge for the many Earth Works that she conceived of, created, and performed in the USA, China, Korea, France, Brazil, and Venezuela.  The Utah Project featured several two to six week residencies in the Four Corners Area  – Arizona, Utah, New Mexico, and Colorado.  Her companion and princilpal collaborator for these research adventures was Verabel Call Cluff, filmmaker. Joe Pachak, visionary guide and specialist, White Mesa Institute, was instrumental in the selection of four specific locations for research and filming. Bruce Hucko, renowned earth photographer and author, supported the stage and film projects with contributions of extraordinary photographs.  Sunny and Hardy Redd,  La Sal Ranch, provided their home, van, food, ideas, that made a six-week film residency for 10 artists from the East possible. The residencies were brash and daring in so many ways.  The artists took many risk by dancing and performing on and at  diverse and demanding earth sites.  Generally Withers and Cluff lived out of doors on the Earth without a tent or other protection.  “We rose with the Sun and laughed with the stars.” (Withers) The Utah Project produced many films and many stage projects (see below).  Utah * Spirit Place * Spirit Planet * Tukuhnikivatz, an epoch work on ancient and contemporary earth consciousness was commissioned by  Lincoln Center in 1996 for Lincoln Center Out of Doors, GREAT DANCE in the BandShell Series, Damrosch Park, New York City, NY.   Transformation / Rolling Thunder was presented in Rio de Janeiro in a theatre on the beach during Eco ’92, United Nations Earth Summit,  where Withers and members of Maida Withers Dance Construction Company participated in activities with 100 Artists for Ecology from  around the globe attending Eco ’92.  TUK films have been shown in festivals in India, Turkey, Australia, France, Brazil, Virginia, and Utah.  TUK I was the recipient of the John Muir Award for Outstanding Filmmaking (2009) at the Yosemite International Film Festival, Yosemite, California

Maida Withers, Artistic Director/Founder, Maida Withers Dance Construction Company
Professor, George Washington University, Corcoran School of the Arts and Design

Works for stage and film based on these residencies included:
In Winds of Sand
Sands Cycles (Film)
Utah * Spirit Place * Spirit Planet * Tukuhnikivatz
TUK (Tukuhnikivatz) (Film)
Tukluhnikivatz (Film 40:00)
TUK (Film Short)
TUK I (Film Short)
TUK (Performance Installation for Utah * Spirit Place *Spirit Planet)
Ledge (Moving Earth / Dunes; Mountain Birthing; Path / Migration)
Spirit Path / Migration / Remains)
Still Rush
Earth Spirit Rising
She Was a Visitor
Dance for the Earth:
Sky Cloud
Prologue –  How the West Was Won (Cowboys and Indians Play)
Transformation – Rolling Thunder
Shaman solos by Maida Withers
Others
scan0020MWithersProfileMaida Withers @ Coral Dunes, Utah      Verabel Call Cluff, Photograph
Bruce Hucko JPGBruce Hucko, Earth Photographer

Tim Haring holds Cristy Lamb open8x10AP

 

Crissy Lamb, AZ, and Tim Harling, NYC, Dance Collaborators
@ Muley Point, Utah           Bruce Hucko, Photograph

Obsession – Maida Withers, Interview, FCAC-TV

Interviews, Work

1987 – Maida Withers is interviewed for FCAC (Fairfax Cable Access Corporation) Fairfax, Virginia about the dance work, Obsession – America’s Obsession With Sex.  The Interview is mixed with excerpts from the documentary video of Obsession. Linda Lewett and Judy Lowe were instrumental in the documentation of the interview.

Obsession – America’s Obsession with Sex

Documentary, Expansion (80s and 90s), Films, Gender and Feminism, Installation / Visual, Interviews, Live Music, Original Music, Social Issue_AIDS, Stage Works, Voice and Text

Performance in 2 parts:  Part I:  Elvis Pressley / religion impact – Gender transformation; Part II – AIDS  (See ORBIT film: https://vimeo.com/7691282

1987 – This evening-length performance is a commentary on the sexual revolution starting with Elvis Presley. “Made in the USA” view of sex created by Maida Withers is performed by Maida Withers Dance Construction Company and Nuvieux Music Ensemble. Obsession occurs in two diverse sections.  The first half is about Elvis Presley as the bridge for men and women to more openly expression their views about sex.  Part II is somewhat more abstract with less obvious music and dance topics.  The final segment, starting with the male duet through the end of the performance with the cleansing with water, is about compassion and caring during the AIDS epidemic. (See notes in MWDCCo files for male duet, minister’s script)

Sequence of Choreography:
Origin (Simione, Harling, Koob, Strum)
Yield (Cervantes, Strum, Schaeffer-Merkert, Harling, Simione, Wade)
Exposed (Harling and the Company)Sell (Koob, Schaeffer Merkert, Wade)
Intimate Touch (Harling and Simione)
Purification (The Company)

In November 1987, Obsession toured in three cities in Mexico sponsored by the Government of Mexico.  Instituto Nacional de Bellas Artes International Office of Public Relations organized and assisted with the two performances in Mexico City, Teatro de la Pax in San Luis Potosi, and  in the University Theatre in Queretaro, Mexico.  News coverage was excellent.

Mexico City, Mexico (November 19 – 26, 1987
Instituto Nacionale de Bellas Artes International Office of Public Relations
MWDCCo toured three cities in Mexico
▪   Perform: Obsession: A “Made in the USA” look at sex; Mexico City (November 21, 22).
▪   Perform: Instituto Potosino de Bellas ARtes, San Luis Potosi, S.L.P. , Teatro de la Paz; San Luis Potosi,  (find VHS) (est November 23, 24)
▪   Workshops in technique and improvisation; public discussion in Spanish and English

(Notes in a journal indicate we performed in Queretaro, Mexico but we have not records)

Guatemala City, Guatemala (November 26- 30, 1987)
MWDCCo performance at Teatro Obril  (sponsored by First Lady Raquel Cerezo for two performances in an unusual city-run theatre (nudes painted on the entire ceiling)
▪   Perform: Obsession: A “Made in the USA” look at sex
▪   Workshop: Teatro Nacional

In  Guatemala, First Lady Raquel Blandónv Cerezo sponsored the Company’s presentations. Guatemala was at war in the countryside when we were there .  Raquel was the wife of  then President of Guatemala, Vinicio Cerezo.  The First Lady introduced the Company and translated introductory remarks by Maida prior to each performance.  A reception at the Teatro Nacional, television interviews, a special tour to Antigua, a workshop for the National Folkloric Company were highlights.  Maida and the Company felt honored to have such a distinguished and gracious sponsor as First Lady Raquel Raquel Blandón Cerezo.

San Jose, Costa Rica (December 1 – 7, 1987) Sponsored by United States Information Agency; National Festival of Choreography
▪   Workshops: daily for 3 hours at the historic Teatro Nacional, San Jose,  Costa Rica

Participation in the National Festival of Choreography at the historic Teatro Nacional in Costa Rica was the last leg of the tour.  Maida’s travel in San Jose was furnished by the United States Information Service.

Taxco, Mexico (December 7- 10, 1987)
▪   International Conference on Dance II, participant

Obsession was performed in Washington, DC at the Publick Playhouse in Prince George’s County with Maida Withers as the Elvis figure (see video)

Interview: Maida Withers is interviewed about Obsession for Fairfax Cable  Access Corporation, Channel 10, Fairfax, Virginia. See Obsession:  Interview by Maida Withers

Photos – Part I (Elvis Pressley)
Sm ObsessionGreg Simione Elvis rock forward on footGreg SimeoneSm ObsessionGreg with knees bendChair4.
Annetta WadeSm Obsession3 women Elvis trioAnnetta Wade, Lorena Cervantes, Taffy Schaeffer Merkert
Sm Obsession Scat - trio for scat 2woman 1 manSCAT: Annetta Wade, Michael Koob, Taffy Schaeffe MerkertTrioScatFloor4.
Scat Trio4.
SCAT

Below – Part II / AIDS
View ORBIT film:  
Sm Obsession. Greg liftedPart II:  AIDS – Greg Simeone and Tim Harling

 

Maida performance of Elvis roll in later performance Maida Suite Elvis4.Maida Sweet Elvis Lunge4.
Maida Withers  in the “Elvis” role in “Suite Elvis” 2nd PerformanceBodyPartsPromotionalFlyer4.
Promotional Flyer

 

Karin Dances With Rings (Film 3:58)

Films, Work

1987 – A video mix of Peiperl’s Rings – a kinetic light sculpture in water and polarized light – with an excerpt of movement from Maida Withers’ choreography State of the Art, danced by Karin Serio. Video recorded in 1987. Music excerpted from Harmonielehre, by John Adams. Peiperl’s kinetic light sculptures have also been projected onto the stage (screens or scrims) in dance performances.   Peiperl’s work “Astralite 85B,” in the permanent collection of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, is included  on the Europeana culture portal.

Sm StateKaren turns with arms openin (red) dress

 

Obsession – Suite Elvis Solo by Maida Withers

Stage Works, Work

Sm Obsession MRW solo in black1986 – Solo by Maida Withers was featured, in Obsession – America’s Obsession With Sex, as the dancer performing the”Elvis” figure at the Publick Playhouse, Prince George’s Playhouse in Prince George’s County, Maryland, December 4, 5, 6, 1986.  In all other performances the role was performed by Greg Simeone.  Obsession – America’s Obsession With Sex, is an evening-length dance choreographed by Maida Withers for Maida Withers Dance Construction Company in 1986.  The Elvis Suite segments of Obsession honored the contribution of Elvis Presley to the social revolution that occurred in American in the 1960s.  Maida was a huge fan of Elvis when she was in high school.

Music Credits
Sung by Elvis Presley
Blue Suede Shoes (Carl Perkins, 1956)
What’d I Say (Ray Charles, 1963)
It Hurts Me (Byers – Daniels, 1964)

Video Production Team
Linda Lewett, Producer
Judy Lowe, Co-Producer, Director, Editor
Camera: Charles Hardeman, John Lewis, Ann Bassin

Fairfax Cable Access Corporation (FCAC)

 

Scat

Stage Works, Work

1986 – Scat is an excerpt of Maida Withers Dance Construction Company work, Obsession – America’s Obsession with Sex.  Scat is a loose-limbed spoof reminiscent of Be-Bop.

Scat was performed as a trio with Melody Joy Ruffin, Taffy Schaeffer-Merkert and Annetta Wade, December 4, 1986 at Prince George’s Playhouse.

Music was by Herbie Hancock for the Prince George’s performance and Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, Washington, DC
Sm Obsession Scat - trio for scat 2woman 1 manScat Trio4.
TrioScatFloor4.

Laser Dance – Quest / Domain / Dialogue (tour)

Expansion (80s and 90s), Original Music, Stage Works, Tours, Work

(1985 – May 15, 16, 17, 1986)
Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, Washington, DC
Virginia sponsored tour

Quest / Domain / Dialogue – sections of choreography by Maida Withers created for Laser Dance, Lisner Auditorium, June, 1986, were performed in Washington, DC and toured in Virginia with arts funding.  Original music by Bob Boilen, composer with Synclavier II, Laser Dance premiere in Lisner Auditorium. The choreography remains relatively the same but does not take place in a laser environment.   Two new male dancers performed in Quest / Domain / Dialogue.  For this performance, dancers wore brilliant colored leotards and no goggles. Dancers perform the intricate and spatial movements without hesitation without the darkness required for laser beam visibility. Performances in Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre May 15 – 17, 1986 were combined with Adam Peiperl’s kinetic sculptures to create the film, Sky Cathedrals.

(See review by Suzanne Levy, Washington Post Monday April 29, 1985.)