Jazz Dance Theater to bring new angle, emotion to season premiere

The Jazz Dance Theater has something different planned for this weekend's season premiere concert. Under the direction of Adam B. Clark, the 10-year-old company will once again put on an entertaining and powerful show.

This time, though, there will be a new light to the dances, a more emotional approach inspired by the experiences that have filled the artists' lives.

The all-female, professional jazz group will share its emotions as it gives shape to the three premieres and three returning pieces that are the content of the show.

The premieres include "Ragtime," set to the famous music of Scott Joplin, "In Loving Memory," a dedication to the director's family and a memory of lost loved ones. "In Loving Memory" is a trio spun like a story; the music is by Sarah McLachlan and it "describes friendships and relationships between people and what happens during their lifetimes."

PREVIEW
	Jazz Dance Theater Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Mendelssohn Theater $8 - call 995-4242

Dancer and Assistant Director Lisa Clark also explained the tone of this whole show as "more physical and not quite as structured, with moments when the dancers do whatever comes out of their bodies."

She and husband Adam Clark illustrated the complexity of the thematic development in the three-part finale piece, "Passion," an exploration of "the intensities of daily life, how people feel every day but can't express."

The finale involves images of crucifixion, physical anxiety, people picking at other people and actions of defending ourselves.

The entire company will perform the first and third parts, and a solo by Heather Fountain is wedged in between.

Clark said that the dance doesn't really resolve itself but that it employs "lots of images presenting scenarios that aren't really specific but open to the interpretation of the audience and that depends on what each individual has gone through."

The most riveting aspect of the performance will be to see the emotion and free, abstract, colorful movements blend with solidity and good technique.

The returning pieces include "I Swear to You," a crisp yet passionate solo from current Miss Michigan Kimberly Stec, "A Means to an End," a group piece exploring competition to the music of the Pet Shop Boys, and "To Those Who Wait," a jubilant and energetic dance dedicated to the director's mother.

The last piece held its debut this summer at the Jazz Dance World Congress '97 in Wiesbaden, Germany.

The company plans to dance at next summer's World Congress in Arizona, as its goals are to grow into more of a national and international touring company.

In addition to the fall show, the Jazz Dance Theater also performs a spring benefit show, which includes a Youth Dance Project that incorporates little kids into the performance.

Under Clark's direction these last five years, Jazz Dance Theater has been much more active in the community, taking part in many community events and benefits as well as pageants and exhibits.

The volunteer dance lovers have also engaged in many types of fundraisers in their fight to keep thriving and developing in spite of difficult times and low funds.

Though he mentioned that it has been a lot of work, Adam Clark likes doing what he's doing.

(It) "gives one the opportunity to work with professionals and people who love dance for a variety of reasons as well as the opportunity to be creative and artistic and vent frustration," said Clark.

"I enjoyed helping create this company. It's like a little family," Lisa Clark added.

With Jazz Dance Theater's expressive strength and determination, it looks like it will continue growing and being as strong as one.

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