Ravinia 2019, Issue 1, Week 1

RUTH PAGE (1899–1991) On the eve of the new millennium, Dance Magazine published its “Timeline of Amer- ican Ballet in the 20th Century,” in which Ruth Page was noted as being a “vital force in American dance.” Page is also included in Olga Maynard’s book The American Bal- let as one of the “immortal few” pioneers of American ballet and one of the first Ameri- can classical dancer-choreographers. John Martin, the New York Times dance editor and critic for over 35 years, wrote in his biography of Page: “Among our most American icons is this pioneer woman dedicatedly scanning the distant frontier.” From the American heart- land in Chicago, she choreographed, danced, toured and produced in all parts of the world. Her legacy is not just in being an American choreographer, however. She was an early cre- ative force, home-grown in the Midwest and eschewing any thoughts that the creative light of dance came only from Europe or the East Coast. As her life in art unfolded, Page estab- lished a record of being an American dance pioneer by creating at the forefront of social, political and artistic issues. Upon her death in 1991, this American dance icon left behind a rich artistic legacy that included an extensive body of groundbreaking choreography. The Ruth Page Center for the Arts carries for- ward the mission and vision of its founder to be a platform for developing great artists and connecting them with audiences and com- munity. With a primary focus on dance as a critical art form, its programming ensures that children and dance artists have a place to train, work, and perform at the highest level of excellence. Celebrating its 50th anniversa- ry in 2021, the center, under the aegis of The Ruth Page Foundation, commits its resources to a unique combination of artistic programs that annually impact over 40,000 children and adults. 7:30 PM SATURDAY, JUNE 1, 2019 BENNETT GORDON HALL 4:00 PM SUNDAY, JUNE 2, 2019 CONCERT DANCE INC. VENETIA STIFLER, artistic director THE COMPANY GUEST ARTISTS JACOB BUERGER CHRISTINA KALOYANIDES, soprano EDSON CABRERA JAMES MOREHEAD, piano JAMIE FARRELL WELZ KAUFFMAN, piano ALBERTO GONZALEZ BRIAN TOROSIAN, guitar OLIVIA GONZALEZ JESSIE GUTIERREZ PRODUCTION AND LIGHTING TAIMY RAMOS MARGARET NELSON RODOLFO SANCHEZ RIGOBERTO SAURA HALINA TUTAJ El Salón Mexico (2010) Choreography: Venetia Stifler Movement Development: The Company Music: Aaron Copland, arr. Leonard Bernstein Piano: James Morehead, Welz Kauffman Lighting: Margaret Nelson Costumes: Sophie Leddick Dancers: The Company Donde estás Yolanda? (2019) Choreography: Rigoberto Saura Music: “La Soledad” and “Donde estás Yolanda” by Pink Martini Lighting: Margaret Nelson Costumes: Rigoberto Saura Dancers: Halina Tutaj, Olivia Gonzalez, Jacob Buerger Dances With Words and Music (World Premiere) Choreography: Venetia Stifler Movement Development: The Company Soprano: Christina Kaloyanides Piano: James Morehead Guitar: Brian Torosian Visual Concept and Design: Frank Vodvarka Design Animation: Kelli Evans Lighting: Margaret Nelson Costumes: Sophie Leddick Dancers: The Company I. Dorothy Parker II. e.e. cummings III. Federico Garcia Lorca IV. e.e. cummings V. Langston Hughes Crossroads (2019) Choreography: Edson Cabrera Music: Lumisokea and Einstürzende Neubauten Lighting: Margaret Nelson Dancers: The Company These performances are presented as part of The Ruth Page Festival of Dance , an annual series of dance performances at Ravinia in collaboration with The Ruth Page Foundation and honoring one of Chicago’s most celebrated dancers of all time. MAY 31 – JUNE 9, 2019 | RAVINIA MAGAZINE 93