Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Excited for Alumni Connection Weekend

Nicole Hollander, class of 2005, is counting down the days for the Dance Alumni Organization's Alumni Connection Weekend on December 5th...

"I am so excited to reconnect with old classmates and hear about their real-life experiences in the dance world since graduating. The schedule of lectures and classes look really exciting and I am surprised to say that my love for Building J has apparently never died. I cannot wait for all of the attendees to see Mary Lane's newest performance and film pieces. Working with Mary over the past few months was just the start to my reconnection to GWU Alumni and I am really excited to continue working with everyone in the future."

Tuesday, November 24, 2009

APIA Youth

Professors Dana Tai Soon Burgess and Kelly Southall worked with the DC Mayor's Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs to design the first Asian American contemporary Asian American Youth Dance and Arts Program. The students from School Without Walls took weekly dance classes, visited museums and discussed the history of Asia, the Asian American Diaspora and how youth identity today in the APIA community is evolving.

Burgess says, "Dance is a wonderful form of communication which allows young people the opportunity to work together in order to define and find acceptance of their cultural identities in our ever changing American landscape."

Pictured center is Julie Koo the director of the Mayor's Office of Asian Pacific Islander Affairs. Burgess and Southall are in the back row.

Friday, November 20, 2009

Vice President acknowledges the arts













It was wonderful to have Vice President and Doctor Biden acknowledge the arts so graciously. We are in a wonderful moment in America's history regarding the arts.

-Dana
(Official White House Photo by David Lienemann)

Tuesday, November 17, 2009

Pirates, Punks and Performers

In the weeks since posting "Who owns a dance?" on this blog, ideas about choreography, copyrights and creative thinking have been the focus of conversations with colleagues and students. I decided to post a more in depth report about the Dance & Technology panel in Chicago.

Thursday, November 12, 2009

Dean's Seminar Class

This semester in my Dean's Seminar Class -"Great Performances in Dance", freshman students have had the opportunity to see many live choreographic works. The student's responses have been wonderful! I have been so impressed with their growth and their ability to write about dance that I am sharing a few excerpts with you. Enjoy, Dana

Friday, November 6, 2009

GW Hatchet video features department Chair

The Hatchet has launched a new video series. Amanda Lindner, a student in TRDA 046, created this video for The Hatchet about the work of TRDA Chair Dana Tai Soon Burgess:
"Dana Tai Soon Burgess: Meet the head of the theater and dance department"
http://media.gwhatchet.com/video/1138/

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

GWU students engage in artistic and critical dialogue

Students in the section I teach of “Understanding the Dance” are required to attend and write about dance performances. I have often heard students tell me they dread the assignment when they first read the syllabus, or they object to the idea that I expect them to attend a cultural event in the city when their lives are so busy.

Monday, November 2, 2009

Maida Withers Receives John Muir Award

TUK I / Maida Withers , GW Professor, Department of Theatre and Dance

Received the John Muir Award - Environment Film Competition

In Recognition of Excellence in Filmmaking

At the 2009 Yosemite International Film Festival