Snowy Range Summer Dance Performance Saturday

The University of Wyoming Department of Theatre and Dance’s Snowy Range Summer Dance Festival concludes with a gala performances Saturday, July 27.

Emily Brumbaugh is a 5th year dance major at the University of Wyoming and is the assistant director of the festival.  "The mission of this festival is to give young dancers the opportunity to work with professional dancers," she says.  "dancers take classes outside of the things that they're used to, we like to get them to branch out."

A Student Showcase Concert took place July 24th where students had the opportunity to demonstrate work from their home studios in the performance.

The festival culminates in the Gala Concert this Saturday, July 27, at 4 p.m. in the College of Arts and Sciences auditorium. The production showcases works created by guest faculty and features student dancers, as well as performances by members of AXIS Dance Company.

The performances conclude 10 days of intensive study with distinguished faculty from around the country. Modern, ballet, tap, jazz and specialty classes were taught by guest faculty Jessica T. Pearson, a fellow at the University of Utah Department of Modern Dance; longtime professional dancer Andre Megerdichian, now with the Duncan Center Conservatory in Prague, Czech Republic; Jacob Mora, choreographer, dancer, actor and musician, who is now artistic director of Moraporvida Contemporary Dance; veteran choreographer Susan Israel Massey; American Tap Dance Foundation Executive Director Tony Waag; and Ballet West Academy faculty member and University of Utah Professor Sharee Lane.

"Students take classes from our guest faculty everyday," says Brumbaugh.  "Students have to learn and perfect a dance piece in ten days then perform it at the end.  Then at the end of the festival we have a professional dance company come in.  They teach master classes to the students and will also perform."

The AXIS Dance Company is this year's professional company.  According the the university, AXIS one of the world’s most acclaimed and innovative ensembles of performers with and without disabilities. Founded in 1987, AXIS has become a jewel of contemporary dance and disability culture. AXIS has paved the way for a powerful contemporary dance form -- physically integrated dance -- and performs in more than 120 cities worldwide.

Tickets cost $10 in advance or $12 at the door. For ticket information, call (307) 766-6666.