Contemporary dance is an art form that often amazes audiences and broadens the scope of performing arts for them. The athleticism of dancers and their ability to tell stories through body movement are impressive.
"We create new work for all of our shows," said Idaho Dance Theatre Managing Director Becky Breshears. "Our tour consists of the strongest pieces from the season. It is some of the best contemporary dance you will ever see in the state of Idaho."
For its 21st season, Idaho Dance Theatre will perform "Motion Pictures" at the nexStage Theatre in Ketchum on Friday, April 23, at 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices are $20 for adults and $12 for students. Reserved seating tickets are $30 for adults and $22 for students. Tickets are available at the nexStage box office the evening of the performance and online at idahodancetheatre.org.
"Motion Pictures" will present work of choreographers and artistic directors Marla Hansen and Carl Rowe. Hansen will present "Why Wait" with music by Tom Waits and Rowe will present "One Oh One." In addition, two guest choreographers, Lauren Edson and Gonzalo Valdez, will show new work. Edson's "Sitting in Silence" includes music by Sigur Ros, and Valdez plans to delight the audience with a love story with Latin flare.
Rowe is a Sun Valley longtime friend who had a dance company, the Idaho Dance Ensemble, in Sun Valley with Hilarie Neely. Neely and Rowe also danced with Hansen when living in Portland, Ore., in the 1970s. Neely is director of Footlight Dance Centre and co-founder of the Wood River Arts Alliance.
"It's wonderful they are coming over," Neely said. "It's a rare opportunity for all of us. The Idaho Dance Ensemble is one of Idaho's institutions, which is a tribute to their success."
Idaho Dance Theatre performed in the valley for years and returns with the hope of making the Wood River Valley an annual performance.
"The dance company is based in Boise and is in residence at Boise State University, which means we rehearse at the school," Breshears said. "We create all new work for all of our shows, and tour with the best of them."
The show is for all ages and most of the dancers are from Idaho. The company plans to do Saturday morning outreach classes at the Sun Valley Ballet School and classes in modern and hip-hop dance with Footlight Dance Centre. The company will also appear around Ketchum with performances at Penelope's Café in the Galleria in the late morning and at Ciro's for lunch.
"It's an opportunity for the public to see our type of dancing," Breshears said. "We also will take requests and will be happy to send dancers around town for people who are interested. We want to get involved in the community."
Breshears said the dancers usually appear in the lobby after the performance to meet and greet audience members. For details, visit idahodancetheatre.org or call (208) 331-9592.
Sabina Dana Plasse: splasse@mtexpress.com
Idaho Dance Theatre dancers on location at the Aspen Lofts in Boise.
Photography courtesy of John Kelly
