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MFA students combine art forms in `Portraits'

Four graduating Masters of Fine Arts students came together this past weekend to present their personal "Portraits and Dreams" at the University dance department's Betty Pease Studio Theater.

Not only did the concert highlight the creative abilities of these individuals as performers and choreographers, but it blurred the boundaries between dance, music, photography and politics. The audience was presented with a stage where musicians danced and dancers sang.

William Crowley presented "Yawabata Suite," an epic work with a Japanese sensibility. Performed in ensemble, duet and solo sections, Crowley carefully constructed an intriguing collage of movements and emotions inspired by the writings of Nobel Prize winner Yasumari Yabatawa. Dealing with the outer importance of having a romantic relationship, no matter on what terms, "Yawabata Suite" portrayed loves lost, relationships on the brink and longing, lonely hearts.

Perhaps the dance's most powerful aspect was how it drew upon the audience's emotions. Consistently, the dancers' movements and expressions stayed under tight reign until the ending moments of each section.

At the moment when the audience would start to feel that lump in one's throat that can rapidly turn to tears, the lights would fade allowing the tension to resume in the next scene. The result was a dramatic contrast between outer serenity, playfulness and inner turmoil.

Mark Broomfield presented two empowering but seemingly different works, "Deep Beauty" and "Brotherman." Both portrayed a fierce activist and revealed a thoughtful, brave artist willing to tackle personal and social issues.

"Brotherman" had the choreographer dance alongside two "non-dancers" in an affirming redefinition of black manhood. Broomfield's choreography satirized historical stereotypes of black men. While, at times, the powerful text, images and message of the piece seemed quite dogmatic, its justification was clear. Perhaps because his performers were not professionally trained, their movement came from an honest and raw place from within themselves.

"Open Exchange" was an amusing dialogue between dancer/choreographer Terry Wilson and musician/composer John Robbins. This light study reflected both partners' confidence as performers, while still hinting at Wilson's playful nature. Challenging each others roles on stage, Wilson and Robbins played with the roles of dancer and musician.

The greatest contrast in "Open Exchange" was the ease of their actions. For Wilson, deftness of movement was apparent. Robbins role was to covet her ease of motion. A chase scene developed that concluded with a "dead" Wilson whose dancing slippers were spirited away by Robbins.

Pamela Lutkow-ski created a sensual presentation, "Transparencies from Within," in collaboration with photographer Ann Blackwell and jazz composer Mark Kirschenmann. This dance effectively portrayed an ever-changing tapestry of dynamic, photographic, dance images with quieter, pensive movement. Paradoxically, the photographs became more compelling than the rest of the performance. Lutkowski's ability to fuse dance with other art forms was clear.

Truly a varied and stimulating evening, "Portraits and Dreams" revealed four unique, emerging artists.