The Repertory Dance Theatre will commemorate the 100th anniversary of renowned choreographer Doris Humphrey's birth by presenting a Thanksgiving weekend celebration, "Treasure: The Classic Humphrey Tradition," Friday and Saturday, Nov. 24 and 25, at the Capitol Theatre. Curtain is 7:30 p.m.
The Children's Dance Theatre will open the night with another Humphrey work, "Water Study."RDT is one of two professional companies that were cited by dance historian Marcia B. Siegel as the caretakers for the Humphrey legacy. The other company is the Jose' Limon Dance Company in New York City.
Humphrey, the first American choreographer to have a work Laban notated, died in 1958, but not until after she touched the modern dance world forever with her acute perception of movement and life forms. She was also a sensitive crusader in keeping modern dance alive by handing her dances to other teachers and choreographers for the benefit of prosperity.
"Our connection with Doris goes back to Virginia Tanner," said Linda Smith, RDT's artistic director. "She was a student of Doris' and the respect passed on to me when she began working with the Children's Dance Theatre when I was involved with it. So this performance was a natural move for us."
Smith said RDT has picked up the torch to carry on Humphrey's works with focus on natural movements and their interaction with the forces of gravity.
"Her works flow perfectly," explained Smith. "They make sense and, quite literally, when you dance Doris Humphrey, you dance a masterpiece."
The weekend performances will feature Humphrey's best-known dances including the revival of "With My Red Fires," and new RDT selections of Humphrey's "Fantasy and Fugue," "Soaring" and "Night Spell."
"We really wanted to find some strong works that complemented each other," said Smith. "I respect Doris' works and since this is the 100th anniversary of her birth, we felt we needed to do something."
RDT recently returned from a four-day Doris Humphrey workshop in New York. Smith said things went very well.
"We had people come up to me and tell me how they could really tell our dancers were experienced in performing Doris," Smith said. "We do have a strong ensemble that understands the emotion and style with accuracy. It's in our bones."
Tickets range from $10 to $20, with discounts for students and senior citizens, and are available at any ArtTix outlet or the Capitol Theatre Box Office, or by calling 355-ARTS.