Hot on the heels of its successful second tour of Europe, the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company is gearing up for a new show this weekend — "Wizardry," which will continue the company's ongoing mission to preserve the groundbreaking works of the late, renowned choreographer Alwin Nikolais.
Two new pieces will be added to the dance company's extensive Nikolais repertoire: "Imago" and "Pond."
Alberto Del Saz, the former Murray Louis and Alwin Nikolais Dance Company artistic director, said he is pleased with how RWDC has taken hold of this revolutionary choreography.
"For years I danced these works," Del Saz said during a rehearsal break in the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. "And I have always looked at these works from the inside.
"When I set them on other people, such as the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, it gives me a chance to see the works from the outside. I can step back and enjoy them through my own observations."
Del Saz has worked with Ririe-Woodbury for nearly three consecutive years. He and Murray Louis (Nikolais' co-artistic director) chose the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company for the "Alwin Nikolais: A Celebration Tour," which went into production in 2002.
The company, directed by Shirley Ririe and Joan Woodbury (who both knew and worked with Nikolais), became the first American dance company to perform a full evening of Nikolais works. The troupe then embarked on a nationwide and European tour last spring. In the fall, the company returned to Europe for another tour, which was highlighted by a performance at the prestigious Edinburgh Festival in Scotland.
"It is rewarding to me to see the company grow into these works," said Del Saz. "We have gotten to a place where they know what to expect from me and from these pieces. And they have taken it upon themselves to be responsible for these works. They know that some audience members have never seen a Nikolais work and this may be the first time they do. So the company knows it has to bring up the standard so it will leave a good impression."
A former skater with the Ice Capades, Del Saz began his dance career in the Nikolais school in New York in the 1980s, and he feels the RWDC dancers have come to respect Nikolais' works and philosophy. "Nik's school covered everything related to the performing arts. Not only did he offer classes in (dance) technique and improvisation, but he made sure his students could work backstage with the technical crews, or sew costumes and run the theater. It was all-encompassing, and when I first looked at schools to apply to, I felt this one was the one that would take my artistry to a higher level.
"And the Ririe-Woodbury dancers have come to understand that Nikolais works and training is a way of life, not just some dance steps."
"Imago" and "Pond" were the two pieces that Del Saz and Louis felt were the next step for Ririe-Woodbury. " 'Imago' had its world premiere in 1963, and 'Pond' premiered in 1982," said Del Saz. "It was originally set as a three-act piece, an evening-length work. But Nik cut it down to only six movements, which runs a total of 25 minutes.
"When I danced it, I had to transform myself into the work's environment. I had to become a different person to capture the persona of the piece. It's about a city, and with each movement I had to become someone else. And that's what these dancers have to do.
"While some of the steps are simple, they have to be carried out in a way that is consistent to the production. They just can't be Ririe-Woodbury Dancers. They need to be a part of this city."
Del Saz said "Pond" is shorter than "Imago" but is still physically challenging. "It's only 11 minutes, but the dancers are dancing so close to the ground on wheeled dollies — that makes it hard on the torso and hips."
As the title depicts, the work is an abstract look at a wetlands environment. "The characteristics of a pond come out in the movements. Not only do you see organisms, but also the movement is fluid, and there are projected images that immediately capture the audience's attention.
"I like working with this company. They have grown and matured as dancers and people through these three years. And they have taken on the responsibility to carry on with the Nikolais tradition."
If you go . . .
What: "Wizardry," Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company
Where: Capitol Theatre, 50 W. 200 South
When: Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $30
Phone: 355-2787 or 888-451-2787
Web: www.arttix.org
E-mail: scott@desnews.com