The Young DanceMakers of Brigham Young University will present “Tell Me a Story” during their annual “Evening of Dance” Friday and Saturday, May 17-18, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center.
Hosted by the Department of Dance and directed by Kathleen B. Sheffield and assisted by Malisalee Gardner, “Tell Me a Story” will feature approximately 150 boys and girls ages 7-18 dancing their own ideas in dances they helped create. Each of the pieces will bring to life a different story through movement.
Tickets at $10 are available at the Fine Arts Ticket Office, at byuarts.com/tickets or by calling (801) 422-4322. They will also be available at the door.
The performance will feature the story of the Civil War in commemoration of the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Gettysburg in “Hallowed Ground,” and the feelings and images of the dismantling of the Berlin Wall in “The Wall.” Imaginative choreographies of well-known children’s books — such as “The Story of Three,” “Shhh Quiet Please” and “It Was All Harold’s Idea” — will be performed as well.
“The ideas as much of the movement spring from the children,” said Sheffield. “Attending one of the shows is like getting a glimpse inside the imagination through the perspective of a child.”
The Young DanceMakers is the performing company of the BYU Children’s and Teen’s Creative Dance program, which follows a tradition Utah dance pioneer Virginia Tanner created to utilize the natural creative impulses of children. More than 350 dancers are trained throughout the year in technique, composition, improvisation, choreography and performance.
For more information, contact Kathleen Sheffield at (801) 400-0040.
Writer: Hwa Lee
