Repertory Dance Theatre will collaborate with Brigham Young University's Dancers' Company in concerts Thursday through Saturday, Jan. 28-30, at 7:30 p.m., in the de Jong Concert Hall of the Harris Fine Arts Center.
Highlighting the program will be "Dance for Walt Whitman" by Helen Tamiris, a historic classic revived by RDT and the Dancers' Company for November RDT concerts in Salt Lake City.RDT will also dance "Pigs and Fishes" by Elisa Monte. The BYU company will offer "Do Not Remove Under Penalty of Law," "Gothic Tracery," "L'Artiste" and "I Want . . . I Can't Remember."
Among original cast members of the Whitman work, which Tamiris choreographed for Utah in 1961, was Dee Winterton. "This performance is the culmination of Dee's dream, to bring the work to BYU," said Marilyn Berrett, who with Carolyn Prohovsky directs the Dancers' Company.
In connection with the concerts, Berrett and Cathy Black have developed a Day of Tribute symposium on Friday, Jan. 29, to honor Whitman, Tamiris and dance. Beginning at noon in 267 Richards Building, student writers will present papers, with Pat Debenham of the dance faculty as keynote speaker, and Chris Ollerton (also an original cast member) will teach a Tamiris master class from 1:30-3 p.m. in 185 Richards.
Sarah Lee Gibb, director of modern dance at BYU, will moderate a preconcert panel at 6 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall, with panelists Linda C. Smith of RDT; dance notator Kay Dunkley, and BYU English professor Richard Cracroft.
All symposium events are free. Tickets for the concert are $6 ($5 students, faculty, seniors and children), available through the music ticket office, 378-7444.