A dancer stands on top of six boxes stacked in columns of three. From the audience, it looks as if she’s stable. But what the audience doesn’t know is that this is one of the most dangerous moments in the show. Without the other dancers supporting her, she would fall.
DanceAbility International’s show “Don’t Leave Me” explores the symbiotic relationship between the body and space. It incorporates a dozen square wooden cubes that the dancers move freely around the stage, as well as a six by six foot steel frame. This show demonstrates how many ways the body can interact with space, even in a two by two foot box.
The show is a collaboration between Alito Alessi, DanceAbilitity’s internationally renowned choreographer; Frances Bronet, Dean of the architecture and allied arts program at University of Oregon; and Dr. Jeffrey Stolet, a composer and music professor at the UO.
Alessi encourages college students to see this show because of the unique creative process it went through in its development. “Any time you have an opportunity to see something new, it opens your mind and allows you to perceive something you’ve never considered,” he said.
The show features seven dancers and three of them are students from the UO. The students responsible for the design and construction of the show are all current graduate students studying art and architecture.
“The show is a completely unique way of engaging in multiple disciplines,” said Dean Bromet. “There are extraordinarily serene moments. It may move you.”
DanceAbility International is a dance company that provides opportunities for everyone who wants to dance, even those with physical disabilities. DanceAbility U.S., is based in Eugene, but there are also studios in Latin America, Europe, Asia and Canada.
“Don’t Leave Me” will premiere on Nov. 1 at 2 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at the door or on lanecc.edu/tickets. $15 regular admission, or $5 for students. Ragozzino Performance Hall, Lane Community College. 4000 E. 30th Ave. Call DanceAbility at 541-342-3273 for more information.