Project Description
Area dance artists praise creation of the National Center for Choreography at The University of Akron
The Akron dance community just got a mega-boost. At a press conference held at The University of Akron on May 14, Alberto Ibargüen, president of the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, announced that the organization was awarding a $5 million grant through DANCECleveland and The University of Akron for the creation of a National Center for Choreography–only the second of its kind in the United States.
The Center will be housed at The University of Akron, which has state-of-the-art dance facilities, major research resources, nearby performance arts halls, and other technical support. There will be residences for choreographers that will give them access to these rich resources, as well as the time to focus on dance making. DANCECleveland is a major presenter of contemporary dance in the country, with connections to the world of contemporary dance and choreographers. It will likely help to provide an outlet for some of the works created.
In his opening remarks, Ibargüen commented that Akron “is the right place.” All the elements to make this project happen and thrive are present: vision, talent, tenacity to see it through, and broad city and university support.
After hearing university president Scott L. Scarborough and executive director of DANCECleveland describe the wide-ranging effects of this project on dance education and the national scene of contemporary dance, it seemed like a good idea to get reactions to this astounding and wonderful news from some prominent members of the Akron-area dance community: Cydney Spohn, a professor of dance at the university; Bobby Wesner, co-founder and artistic director of Neos Dance Theatre; David Shimotakahara, founder and artistic director of GroundWorks DanceTheater; and Jane Startzman, an original member of the Ohio Ballet and current head of the annual Heinz Poll Summer Dance Festival.
Cydney Spohn, as might be expected, focused on the educational aspects for area dance students, echoing many of the ideas expressed by president Scarborough in his remarks. From a student’s perspective, she said, aspiring university dance majors will gain “exposure to the creative processes of professional choreographers” and witness “a full spectrum of research practices by inquiring artists.”
There is much to be learned about the process of dance by watching a choreographer at work, especially with people in supportive capacities, such as costumes and lighting. But the search for how dance ideas surface, where the vocabulary to express those ideas in motion comes from, and the sensibility of dance to reveal human issues and emotions in ways other art forms cannot must be invaluable for students, particularly as they have similar experiences with a number of very different, highly individualistic dance makers over their university careers.
The National Center for Choreography, Spohn added, “will help the UA Dance Program set itself apart from other U.S. dance programs “and gain a competitive edge for the purpose of “recruiting academically high-achieving students, skillful dancers and creative individuals.” If for no other reason, one might add, young dancers will have the opportunity to rub elbows with, and make a connnection to, some important rising stars of dance.
Published on Knight Arts on May 28, 2015.