The Spectator The independent student newspaper of Valdosta State University
The Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, one of the oldest modern dance companies in the U.S., will visit VSU on Oct. 18 and 19.
“They were interested in coming to VSU as part of their Georgia tour,” Eric Nielsen, dance program coordinator, said. “The company is quite involved with dance education as well as performing various modern works created for the company.”
Joan Woodbury and Shirley Ririe, both former professors of dance at the University of Utah, founded the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company and will be celebrating their 50th anniversary next year.
“Both Shirley Ririe and Joan Woodbury were my dance teachers at the University of Utah,” Nielsen said. “Joan was also my thesis advisor during my graduate studies. She taught dance improv this summer for the company’s summer workshop–She is now 84.”
They will be performing a lecture-demonstration in Sawyer Theater today at 4 p.m., which is free and open to the public.
“The lecture demonstration will be a combination of both modern dance performance and dance education through narration,” Nielsen said.
The dance program requires the support of VSU students, faculty and the community in order to continue funding for future residencies.
“The dance program is providing the funding for this residence, so we are hoping VSU students, faculty and community will attend the free lecture demonstration at 4 p.m. this Thursday in Sawyer Theatre,” Nielsen said.
“The attendance of both the lecture demonstration as well as master classes will weigh heavily in funding future residencies.”
The Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company will also be presenting two master classes on Friday followed by a question and answer session.
According to Nielsen, the master classes are open to those who have signed up and been by him through an email request. There are only 25 openings each for the two classes. The Jazz class is from 10 a.m. to 11:15 a.m., and the modern dance class is from 1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. A question and answer session with the company will be held from 2:15 p.m. to 3 p.m. in the UC room 2108
“Those who wish to be considered for the master classes should contact Eric Nielsen at enielsen@valdosta.edu
