1976 – Thin Holes, a new work created during a three week summer dance residency:  Maida Withers and the Dance Construction Company (Maida Withers, John Bailey, Brook Andrews) and John Driscoll, composer/musician, engaged in a three to four week residency at Brigham Young University.  During that time, students took classes and eventually completed two performances for the general public.

Thin Holes was the title of one work (no documents found, as yet).

One performance took place in the large Physical Education gymnastic facility on the lower campus near the football stadium.  The large, high ceiling, gymnastic room featured climbing ropes, and every conceivable device for gymnastics.  In this site-specific work, dancers performed in the various spaces using the equipment in diverse ways.   Chairs for the audience were in many specific and different locations.  Events were taking place throughout the space.  When an audience member wanted to move from one location to another for viewing, they raised hands and requested transportation and two or three dancers would come to the aid of the audience member and carry them in varied fashions (moving dances) to a new location.

For the  second performance the audience was located in the highest building on the “upper campus” (perhaps the Joseph Fielding Smith tower) where the audience looked down on the sidewalks and slightly large cement paths/roads for delivery trucks, cars, etc.  Dancers performed on those transportation sidewalks wearing skates, on bicycles, skooters, and any device for transport.   Various formations emerged.  This was, of course, a very “site specific work.”

John Driscoll, a sculptor turned electronic music initiator, created music/sounds for both public events. John was an  influential associate of MWDCCo since the founding in 1974.  He was a sculptor turned electronic music initiator who built instruments for performance. He performed on several occasions with John Cage.  See John Driscoll’s collaborator’s data….  https://maidadance.com/collaborators/john-driscoll/

The year is correct, summer 1976,  but the exact month and dates not yet confirmed. There is a current search for documentation.

This was an “extreme” and diverse residency…much fun and enthusiasm by all. Maida was so honored to have been invited back to her alumni institution – graduating with a BS in Dance in 1958, the first degree in dance offered by Brigham Young University, Physical Education Program, with Geraldine Glover as the lead dance faculty member.  Eight undergraduate seniors were instrumental in the Women’s Physical Education Program promoting/demanding/begging for this daring initiative with the female director of Women’s PE. Maida was influential through her position as  head of the student dance organization, Orchesis.