Confirm dates in DC??? (May 15, 16, 17, 1986 – Tour in Virginia, Feb 10 – May 15, 16, 17, 1985 or 6???)
Dorothy Betts Marvin Theatre, Washington, DC
Virginia State sponsored tour( February 10, 1985 – Shenandoah College & Conservatory) others?)

Quest / Domain /Departure – sections of choreography by Maida Withers created for Laser Dance, Lisner Auditorium, June, 1985, were performed in Washington, DC  May 15, 16, 17, 1986 and toured in Virginia, Spring / Fall 1985, with Virginia State 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 Theater May 15 – 17, 1986 included projection of Adam Peiperl’s kinetic sculptures.  This combination of dance with Adam Peiperl’s visual objects eventually became a media work, Sky Cathedrals.

(See review by Suzanne Levy, Washington Post Monday April 29, 1985.)  Larry Graves and Stephanie Simmons, colorful leotard costumes
Ben Watts and Susan Short Bensinger – rehearsal
Ben Watts and Susan Short Bensinger – rehearsal

What the press is saying

"Of particular interest was the Dance Construction company's tantalizing excerpt from Maida Withers' Laser Dance," which is to be premiered in its entirety in June. Withers, who often collaborates with other performing and visual artists, is working in "Laser Dance" with argon laser art by Rockne Krebs and digitally synthesized score by Bob Boilen."
Last night's performance of "Quest," the 14-minute opening section of Withers' evening-length work, was a given sans laser art, allowing for a concentrated view of the dance itself.
The opening of Quest sees dancers in high-tech translucent plastic suits and goggles pour through a break in the backdrop in a seemingly endless stream. The effect is that of the visual trickeryof a Mobius strip as the same dancers appear again and again, their limbs slicing the air in sustained arcs. As the section ends, the windmilling of the limbs gradually breaks down into an intricate tracery of quick, delicate footwork." Suzanne Levy Suzanne Levy

"Withers and the company mix art and technology as if they were country cousins." Dianne Capelon

"Maida Withers and the Dance Construction Company presented a highly professional and entertaining concert that greatly appealed to our students, faculty, and community audience. ....choreography included diversity in its thematic and movement content. Her smooth, flexible and unpredictable style was accompanied by the technical expertise of her dancers. Robin H. Schroth

"Of the several pieces performed, the one of greatest interest was her new work entitled "Quest." The Hi-Tech combination of sound, movement and laser sculpture, offered the right blend of mixed media for contemporary dance. Having this company in residence was the highlight of our semester, and left our students inspired by the energetic dancers and brilliant choreography...A compelling company to watch." (02/10/1985) Robin H. Schroth