1997

Clockwise from top left: Peter Sciscioli, JoAn Pangilinan-Taylor, Shannon Preto and Michelle Blakely; JoAn Pangilinan-Taylor, Shannon Preto and Peter Sciscioli; Shadowed Ground with Peter Sciscioli and Shannon Preto; Roko Kawai

Photos by: Eileen Ryan Photography

ARTISTIC FEATS  As the Dance Company-In-Residence at the Chicago Cultural Center, a host of programs took place in the dance house that Hedwig Dances built:  An exotic fusion of modern dance with Bharata Natya classical East Indian dance, Conversation (1995) co-choreographed by Jan Bartoszek and Natyakalalayam Dance Company’s Artistic Director Hema Rajagopalan, is reprised for a special presentation.  Company Members Christine Bornarth and Julie Hopkins, in collaboration with Chicago-area dancer/choreographer Julia Mayer, present new works-in-progress in “Among Willows”.  In honor of the Centennial Year Celebration of the “People’s Palace”, the Company’s creation of Shadowed Ground, captured the majesty and grandeur of the historic architecture of the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Rotunda, in a site-specific piece dedicated to the union soldiers who fought in the Civil War.  Peter Sciscioli and Shannon Preto performed this year’s world premiere to an original score played live by Michael Zerang in the backdrop of a set designed by artist Lincoln Schatz.

Shannon Preto (Company Member 1996-1999)
“I really enjoyed (Shadowed Ground, 1997). It was an intimate process with Peter Sciscioli and Jan and took a lot of energy to complete the piece.  And some folks really responded to the work, especially a war veteran.”