Cal State Long Beach presents “Requiem and other Dances” choreographed by a well-known teacher from Julliard. The program’s mission is to unite different cultures.
Alongside one of the dance department's professors, Susan McLain, Jacqulyn Buglisi will present her 2001 choreographic work in ballet. Buglisi and McLain worked together with the Martha Graham Company touring around the world. McLain will also present her work, “Mirror U.” Buglisi hopes to inspire young students to reach their highest potential and to believe that their spirit is indomitable. Buglisi will bring her wisdom and inspiration to the Martha Knoebel Dance Theater starting Nov. 18. Dance faculty Keith Johnson, Andrew Vaca and Lorin Johnson will also present their pieces “We Make Way;” “Smash, Clash, and Thrash!” and “Shade.”
“I am very honored to be here on this beautiful campus with these talented young students and my dream is to have inspired them and given them more tools to achieve their full potential,” Buglisi said. “These students have been very committed and dedicated to the work and I am very appreciative to have had been here on campus at this time.”
The choreography for “Requiem” came from Buglisi's experience witnessing the World Trade Center collapse on Sept. 11, 2001. The main themes in “Requiem” are man's vulnerabilities and peace, according to Buglisi.
The movement style used in “Requiem” grew out of the breath and pulse of the Martha Graham Technique, which Buglisi shaped according to her own styles. It is deeply expressive of the individual vulnerabilities, Buglisi said.
Buglisi said the costumes presented in “Requiem” are exquiste. They are made of 10 ft. of layered silk, inspired from images in Baroque paintings, such as “Artemesia Gentileski.”
“I use many images from the realm where angels court graces to realism,” Buglisi said. “I use some images of artist William Blake and Caravaggio which show Jungian symbolism and religion.”
To experience and understand the meaning of “Requiem,” the viewer should not be looking for something, but be open to experiencing the dance, Buglisi said.
“I hope they will recognize themselves, and be moved with images continuing to resonate long after the curtain falls,” Buglisi said.
Buglisi has a mission to help bring different cultures and people closer together and allow them to experience the common songs of humanity through the universal language of dance. “It can be said that dance has been a reflection of man's inner landscape,” Buglisi said.
“Requiem and Other Dances” will run until Nov. 21. Show times are at 8 p.m. with a 2 p.m. matinee Nov. 21. Tickets are $20 for general admission and $16 for students, seniors, CSULB faculty and staff and Dance Resource Center members. For ticket information, call the Arts Ticket office at 562 985-7000.
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