Conservatory Dance Company Sets 2015-16 Season

Point Park University's Conservatory Dance Company announces the 2015-2016 season, which features pieces by Sonya Tayeh of 'So You Think You Can Dance,' all-male contemporary dance company MADBOOTS, and Artistic Director of the Washington Ballet, Septime Webre.

This season will also feature the world premiere of an evening-length production called Five, conceived and choreographed by department of dance chair, Rubén Graciani, and faculty member Kiesha Lalama.

The Conservatory Dance Company 2015-2016 season subscriptions, which save patrons up to 35% off single ticket prices, are available now and can be purchased for $72. Single tickets are $20-24 and will go on sale at 10 a.m., Tuesday, September 8. Those who purchase three subscriptions get the fourth free. To order a season subscription, contact the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office by phone 412.392.8000.

The 2015-2016 Conservatory Dance Company season:

Student Choreography Project
Thursday, Oct. 1 - Saturday, Oct. 3
George Rowland White Performance Studio, Point Park University

A Conservatory Dance Company tradition, the Student Choreography Project opens the season with a showcase of original choreography by the Conservatory's top students. Selections from the Student Choreography Project are annually chosen for national dance festivals, including 2013's "Til the End," choreographed and performed by John O'Neill and Jennifer Florentino at the National College Dance Festival at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

This year, in addition to the ticketed performances Thursday - Saturday, there will be an open festival of additional student choreography staged in the GRW Performance Studio throughout the day on Sunday, October 4.

Contemporary Choreographers
Choreographed by Gregory Dolbashian, Ori Flomin, Jessica Hendricks, and Septime Webre
Friday, Nov. 13 - Sunday, Nov. 22
George Rowland White Performance Studio, Point Park University

Featuring four choreographers of current renown and diverse experiences, Contemporary Choreographers offers two weekends of cutting edge dance. Pieces by Dolbashian, Flomin, and Hendricks will emphasize each choreographer's unique vision and style, while artistic director of the Washington Ballet, Septime Webre, will present his hit rock and roll ballet, "Fluctuating Hemlines."

Point Park Connections
Friday, Dec. 11 - Sunday, Dec. 13
George Rowland White Performance Studio, Point Park University

Point Park Connections features an array of dance styles as exciting and varied as our adjunct dance faculty. Working closely with the Conservatory students to teach and refine technique, the adjunct faculty members create a level of familiarity and collaboration that brings remarkable results to the stage. Choreographers and piece titles to be announced.

Five
Choreographed by Rubén Graciani and Kiesha Lalama
Friday, Feb. 5 - Sunday, Feb. 14, 2016
Rockwell Theatre, Pittsburgh Playhouse

Department of Dance chair Rubén Graciani and faculty member Kiesha Lalama collaborate to debut a brand new work with the Conservatory Dance Company. Performed with a live choir on the Rockwell Theatre stage, Five takes us inside the minds and senses of the dancers to reflect on the difficult choices we make every day. In 2009, Lalama's full-length, multimedia dance piece, The Bench premiered in the same theatre to critical acclaim, with a commercial production pending.

Conservatory Dance Company at Point Park University
Thursday, Feb. 25 - Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016
George Rowland White Performance Studio, Point Park University

Point Park University faculty choreograph an eclectic and electric selection of pieces sure to entertain. Styles ranging from ballet to contemporary to Jazz illustrate the impressive talents of the Conservatory students. Choreographers and pieces to be announced.

Conservatory Dance Company at the Byham Theater
Choreographed by Mad Boots, Larry Keigwin, Matthew Powell, and Sonya Tayeh
Thursday, April 14 - Saturday, April 16, 2016
Byham Theater, Cultural District

One of the biggest shows of the Conservatory Dance Company season, this performance at the Byham Theater in downtown Pittsburgh's Cultural District features pieces by some of the hippest names in contemporary American dance. Sonya Tayeh of 'So You Think You Can Dance' fame will choreograph a world-premiere piece alongside works by Matthew Powell and contemporary duo MADBOOTS. Larry Keigwin will present "Triptych," a minimalist, abstract piece inspired by the classic triptychs of photography.

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