Illinois State Dance Theater restaging 1948 masterpiece

The Illinois State University Dance Theater will restage Diversion of Angels, the 1948 masterpiece by pioneer of American modern dance Martha Graham, Thursday, Dec. 9, to Saturday, Dec. 11. The four performances are 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Dec. 9; 7:30 p.m., Friday, Dec. 10; and 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 11, in the Center for the Performing Arts.

The restaging of Diversion of Angels was made possible by an American Masterpieces: Three Centuries of Artistic Genius grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. Accompanying the performance is an exhibit in University Galleries titled Martha Graham:  Dancer, Choreographer, Pioneer, which runs from Monday, Dec. 6, to Saturday, Dec. 11.

There is also a lecture about Graham’s life and work during each of the concerts, and a Q& A with the performers directly following the Saturday matinee.  The production also features new works by faculty in the dance program Greg Merriman, Laurie Merriman, Darby Wilde and Sara Semonis, and guest artist Kim Neal Nofsinger.

The Dance Program traditionally brings in guest artists to restage work, but most are contemporary artists, which makes this restaging unique.

“This has been a very different experience as Martha Graham passed away in 1991 and the students are learning the choreography from two master teachers and former members of the Martha Graham Dance Company,” said Sara Semonis, head of the Dance Program and artistic director for Illinois State Dance Theater. “Students have gained a newfound respect for how modern dance has changed, as well as how it has remained the same. Some of the same skills and techniques that students learn today are the exact same skills that were groundbreaking in 1948. It is always important that students going out in any field of the arts understand where the field has been in the past, to more fully realize where it is in the present. It has been an extraordinary experience for the students.”

Tickets are on sale now through the Center for the Performing Arts box office or Ticketmaster. Prices are $17 for adults and $12 for Illinois State students and senior citizens.