How do you top a commission from celebrity choreographer Tyce Diorio, the unveiling of the new Pittsburgh Playhouse and being named one of the best college dance programs in the country? Point Park University’s Conservatory Dance Company hopes a new full-length work from Kiesha Lalama, a focus on innovative women choreographers and masterworks by current and legendary artists will do the trick.
The dance company announced its 2019-20 season lineup at a press conference Tuesday at the Pittsburgh Playhouse on Forbes Avenue, Downtown.
The new season begins in October with “Contemporary Choreographers,” a salute to innovative female dance makers. It will include works by Yin Yue, founding artistic director of New York-based YY Dance Company; Pearlann Porter of The Pillow Project; Bridget Moore, founding artistic director of B.Moore.Dance in Dallas; and repertory choreographer Amy Hall Garner.
Dance department chair Garfield Lemonius said that it was an intentional choice to bring in works by only female choreographers next season. Historically, there’s been an emphasis on works by male dancers, with some by women sprinkled in.
“In a department of about 280 dance majors, the majority of them are women. We need to show our young women that there is a place for them in the dance world besides just being dancers on stage,” said Mr. Lemonius, who’s heading into his third year leading the department. “They too can become tomorrow's choreographers and lead the way and pave the way for other women choreographers.”
Next up, students will showcase their choreographic chops in “Fall Student Choreography Project” in November. This program features original works by conservatory dancers and has become a tradition. There will be another installment in April 2020.
One of the most anticipated shows next season is a premiere from Kiesha Lalama, a member of Point Park’s dance faculty. It’s been a decade since the Conservatory Dance Company debuted her full-length work “The Bench,” which has since been adapted for the commercial theater industry, and three years since she created the full-length show “Five” for Point Park. Her latest work will be staged in the Pittsburgh Playhouse’s PNC Theatre in December.
Mr. Lemonius didn’t elaborate because “conceptually I think she wants audiences to be surprised. I know that she’s going to take us on a journey.”
Having this full-length work on the program is special for students because most of the pieces they perform are only 15-25 minutes, he said.
Shorter works by other faculty members will make up the “Faculty Dance Concert” slated for February. Expect jazz, ballet, modern and African dance selections that will show off the versatility of student dancers.
The 2019-20 season will close next April with the “Spring Dance Concert.” It will curate masterworks by modern dance pioneer Martha Graham and Penny Saunders, resident choreographer at The Grand Rapids Ballet in Michigan, and Jessica Lang, whose company appeared here as part of the Pittsburgh Dance Council’s 2018-19 season. Also in the mix is Camille A. Brown, whose work has appeared in past programs at the Kelly Strayhorn Theater and at the August Wilson Cultural Center in March.
Season subscriptions start at $98 at pittsburghplayhouse.com or 412-392-8000. Individual tickets ($20-$30 for general admission) go on sale Aug. 5.
Sara Bauknecht: sbauknecht@post-gazette.com or on Twitter and Instagram @SaraB_PG.
First Published: April 30, 2019, 5:00 p.m.
Updated: April 30, 2019, 6:02 p.m.