Bodiography brings modern ballet to the Hill
January 26, 2004
Putting ballet steps to the music of Pearl Jam and the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Bodiography Contemporary Ballet is bringing their act to the Hill.
The Pittsburgh-based ballet company, which works to educate the public about the importance of health and well being, will perform to a mixed repertory at 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 5, in Western Maryland College Alumni Hall.
The event, which will be followed by a question and answer session, is free and open to the public.
The performers from Bodiography will also offer workshops on McDaniel’s campus on Friday, Feb. 6: “Body Image and Movement,” from 9:10 to 10:10 a.m. “The Effective Leader: Leading from Behind,” from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m., and “Basic Dance Workshop,” from 10:30-11:45 a.m. The workshops are free and open to the public, but reservations must be made at 410-857-2535.
Before she founded Bodiography in 2000, Maria Caruso had watched her friends fighting eating disorders, struggling to stay at a weight the ballet world demanded.
“I decided I wanted to create a ballet company that was very healthy and nurturing toward bodies – and not the typical little waify, ballet-type bodies,” said Caruso, the group’s artistic director and choreographer.
Caruso sets none of the typical weight requirements for ballet dancers – usually set for between 90 and 105 pounds. Although the dancers are fit, with no one weighing more than 130 pounds, Bodiography emphasizes the dancers being educated and well rounded, she said.
“Everyone’s a different height. Everyone’s a different style. A traditional ballet company, they look for a cookie cutter. They almost look at the body before they look at the technique and the style,” said Caruso, who believes the dancers bring a more mature quality to their performance. “I think people are really touched by the way we allow emotion to show through.”
Eating Disorder Awareness Week is recognized during the last week in February.
For more information, contact Rita Beyer, associate director of media relations, at 410-857-2294.
|
