New Dance Pieces Explore, Celebrate Individual Differences

The many and varied ways in which individuals differ will be examined through dance at the University of Wisconsin–Madison March 3 in “The Men’s Project: Cross Cultural Choreography Commissioning Project.”

The subject of this terpsichorean journey will be Li Chiao- Ping, UW–Madison assistant professor of dance. Six leading male choreographers each prepared a new work expressly for her, which she will perform in the concert.

“Initially, I was curious to see if I had the stamina, strength and versatility as a dancer to perform the six works,” Li says. “Then, the project evolved to focus more specifically on the choreographers themselves and their own choreographic processes.”

The choreographers — Mark Dendy, David Dorfman, Joe Goode, Daniel Nagrin, Gus Solomons Jr. and Mel Wong — have danced in the esteemed companies of Martha Graham, Merce Cunningham, Margaret Jenkins and others.

“Each choreographer differs according to age, sexual orientation, ethnicity, backgrounds and education,” Li says. “As we explore individual differences between the choreographer’s dance and his life, and between each choreographer, we learn to appreciate and value the differences, and make our own lives richer.”

“The Men’s Project” will begin at 8 p.m. in the Wisconsin Union Theater. Tickets, $15 general admission/$10 students and senior citizens, are available through the Union Theater box office, (608) 262-2201.

CONTACT: Barbara Wolff, (608) 262-8292, bjwolff@facstaff.wisc.edu