Poetry Expressed in Dance, Not Words
Oklahoma City University has long been noted for academic excellence in virtually every discipline. In performing arts, it is evident from the quality of production in theatre, music, musical theatre and dance. John Bedford, Dean of OCU’s Ann Lacy School of American Dance and Arts Management and Jo Rowan, Chairman of the Ann Lacy School of Dance and founder of the American Spirit Dance Company are quite a team. Since 1981, the American Spirit Dance Company has showcased a revue that reveals the exceptional talents of the students attending OCU. The program is exciting and beautiful, showcasing the specific and special contributions in American Dance.
There are elements of ballet in the repertoire of every dancer, but the American Spirit Dance Company concentrates on theatre dance, jazz, tap and modern dance and the elements that are distinctly American in origination and or culture.
The revue, held every spring, utilizes the talents of each company member and there are 112 members of the company. There are too many individual performers to mention by name, but their talent should be recognized. Bravo! Bedford produces the Revue, and Rowan directs. Each astounding vignette is a separate masterpiece usually choreographed by faculty members and showcasing the talents of the performing students. These students are ready for professional status and will be dancing someplace such as Broadway or Las Vegas one day. Although they will have to ‘pay their dues’ in the chorus line for many years they all demonstrate the combination of talent and dedication that creates a star.
The first thing one notices about a young dancer is beauty. They cannot help but be beautiful in form and carriage; the men are a little sexy and the women are very sexy. Dance is not about beautiful bodies, it is about revealing the beauty of the soul through line, movement, timing, strength and grace. The emotions displayed are often extremely sensual and the resulting impact is profound.
The American Spirit Dance Company certainly says something quite significant in every revue they perform. This year’s performance is gone and will never be seen again in live performance, but the essence revealed will be duplicated with their next revue. It will have a thought-provoking and emotional impact as the audience listens to the music, swaying with the rhythm from their seats, watching young men and women reach into their souls using the soles of their feet to enchant, entertain, educate and endear—next year.
Then a surprise awaits: will it be as adorable as the dinosaur surrounding Prisca Lynch or Audrey Schultz from 2017? Or will it be as exciting as the tappity tap and smooth moves seen in 2017? Will it be exotic, playful, controversial and amusing as well? Of course, it will always be all of those things –simply stunning.
Magnificent costumes from Jessica Olson Telfer add to the dance immeasurably. Technical expertise behind the scenes makes it possible to perform as a result of Bedford’s additional duties designing sound. Carla Richard, stage manager and moving light designer, is essential and the contributions of Steve Estes as technical director as well as lighting designer are important. In some presentations, dancers also vocalize. Their songs have been enhanced with the assistance of vocal coach, Marita Stryker. With an excellent crew, Jo Rowan is a director with the clear ability to inspire her students to leap even higher literally as well as in their dreams.
For information on any upcoming events in the performing arts visit www.okcu.edu and click on dance and entertainment or call the OCU box office at 405-208-5227. Oklahoma City University is located at 2501 N. Blackwelder in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and has been an institution of excellence for over a century and with centuries ahead.