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School of Dance

Weitzenhoffer Family College of Fine Arts

University of Oklahoma

The University of Oklahoma School of Dance welcomes you to our 2008-2009 season of exciting performances, guest artists in residence, workshops, auditions and special events. Last year's season included residencies by Mark Dendy, Nancy Allison and Margery Beddow.

Last year also included a remarkable visit by legendary Ballerina Violette Verdy as our second Susan E. Brackett Visiting Artist Chair.

We hope you will join us at one of our spectacular performances or delightful special events!

Performances:

Lakmé

Oct. 23-25 at 8 p.m., Oct. 26 at 3 p.m.
Reynolds Performing Arts Center

Presented as a collaboration between the School of Music's OU Opera Theatre and the School of Dance, this sumptuous production of Léo Delibes' opera Lakmé will transport audiences to the lavish and colorful world of 19th century India. School of Music faculty members Jonathan Shames, artistic director and conductor, and William Ferrara, stage director, join forces with School of Dance faculty member and choreographer Jeremy Lindberg with Oklahoma Festival Ballet dancers to explore the collision of cultures within a tragic love story.

Contemporary Dance Oklahoma

Dec. 5-7 and 11-12 at 8 p.m., Dec. 7 and 13 at 3 p.m.
Reynolds Performing Arts Center

OU's resident contemporary dance company presents an innovative, athletic and passionate evening of dance. including Alvin Ailey's brilliant work, Escapades.

Young Choreographers' Showcase

Jan. 29-31 at 8 p.m., Feb. 1 at 3 p.m.
Reynolds Performing Arts Center

Enjoy an inspiring evening of fresh new choreography in a variety of dance styles, all performed and choreographed by our talented ballet and modern dance students.

Oklahoma Festival Ballet

Feb. 27-28 and March 5-7 at 8 p.m.
March 1 and 8 at 3 p.m.
Rupel Jones Theatre

Oklahoma Festival Ballet presents a stunning Tribute to the Ballets Russes including L'Apres Midi D'un Faune (Afternoon of a Faun), originally choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky in 1912 and School of Dance founder Miguel Terekhov's beautifully dramatic Firebird.

Audition Dates:

Undergraduate Auditions

October 13, 2008
January 31, 2009
Reynolds Performing Arts Center Studios

An audition is required of prospective undergraduate students planning on entering OU in August 2009. Students should reserve a place at the auditions by contacting Kate O'Brien (kobrien@ou.edu) in the School of Dance office.

Other School of Dance Events:

Once Upon a Dream

November 6, 2008
Fred Jones Jr. Museum of Art

Join School of Dance patrons and special guests for our annual dinner, auction and performances by Oklahoma Festival Ballet and Contemporary Dance Oklahoma. All funds raised by Once Upon a Dream support our international touring program and School of Dance scholarships.

Violette Verdy

September 7-13
Susan E. Brackett Distinguished Visiting Artist Chair

The University of Oklahoma School of Dance is honored to welcome internationally renowned ballerina Violette Verdy as its second Susan E. Brackett Distinguished Visiting Artist Chair. Violette Verdy's illustrious career includes performing with the Ballets de Champs Elysée in Paris and eighteen years as a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet. After retiring from the stage, she has taught and choreographed all over the world, and was the first woman to be appointed Artistic Director of the Paris Opera. While at OU, Verdy will teach classes and discuss her remarkable career.

Saturday Youth Classes

Open Auditions Sunday Sept. 7, 2008

Intensive classes in ballet and modern dance offered as a supplement for serious young dancers ages 10-18. Classes will be taught by OU School of Dance faculty in the Fine Arts Center on OU's Norman campus.
For more information please contact Rebecca Ratliff at (405) 325-4854 or rratliff@ou.edu.

Audition and Program Information

SummerWind Youth Ballet Camp 2009

June 14-27, 2009 - on the OU campus in Norman

The OU School of Dance hosts SummerWind Youth Ballet, a two-week training program for dance students ages 11-14 and 15-18 years old. Curriculum includes a variety of dance classes and seminars taught by School of Dance faculty and guest artists. This comprehensive ballet program is aimed at educating the complete young dancer and concludes with an on-stage performance featuring class technique and rehearsed repertoire.
For more information please contact Rebecca Ratliff at (405) 325-4854 or rratliff@ou.edu.