Campus News

Rockford, Ill. – The Rockford University Performing Arts Department will present New Beginnings, Thursday March 26 – Saturday March 28. The dance concert will be held at 7:30 p.m. each night in Maddox Theatre, Clark Arts Center, on the Rockford University campus, 5050 East State Street. The Clark Arts Center is accessible.

‘New Beginnings’ is the first concert to feature the new University dance company Orchesis, under the direction of Assistant Professor of Dance Amy A. Wright. Orchesis was originally founded by the late Jayne Poor, who is remembered for her passionate dedication to dance as an artist and educator at Rockford College and in the Rockford community. Orchesis dancers have once again found a home on the Maddox stage, performing new works by Wright and guest artist Shelton Kay’77.

The concert will include Kay’s work Waters of March, which premiered last October, as well as a new duet set to the music of the Beatles. Wright will present five new works, ranging from big band jazz to romantic ballet, athletic and arresting modern dance to fast, percussive tap. Rounding out this exciting evening of dance, guests from the Rockford Dance Company, under the artistic direction of Wayland Anderson, will perform Everything Must Change, an intensely moving contemporary work by choreographer Tracy Vogt.

Admission to New Beginnings is free. For more information or to reserve tickets, please call the Box Office at 815.226.4100 or email BoxOffice@rockford.edu. “New Beginnings” is sponsored by BMO Harris Bank.