The University of Utah Children's Dance Theatre performed on the opening day of TARI 1994 (Dance in Malay), the ninth international conference and dance festival of the World Dance Alliance: Asia Pacific Center.
The festival, held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, July 13-21, featured professional dance companies from 24 countries including Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Myanmar, India and France. CDT was one of two United States representatives, and the only children's company invited to perform.Traveling with 18 members, CDT premiered "Prayer for the Children," with music of Kurt Bestor and choreography by Joni Wilson. Company members highlighted the presentation of "Learning Through the Arts," a paper presented by artistic director May Ann Lee, who introduced the Western concept of using the arts, and especially dance, as a tool for enhancing traditional educational methods.
CDT dancers, ages 9-18, also worked in Bali, Indonesia, with traditional dancer and mask-maker, I.M. Anom.
- THE RIRIE-WOODBURY DANCE COMPANY has received a significant advancement grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Among only four modern dance companies to receive one of 36 such NEA awards this year, Ririe-Woodbury is thus recognized as one of "sustained artistic excellence."
The advancement program is designed to help organizations become more efficient and self-sufficient while pursuing artistic goals. In phase one of the program, participants receive technical assistance from a national managment consultant to create a new plan for the future. Phase two, for which the company must again apply, is for assistance in implementing the multiyear program so conceived.