January 21, 1997

Dance Company of Middlebury in Final Performance

of Crossing Over

The Dance Company of Middlebury will perform Crossing

Over, an hour-long dance in eight sections with original music

by Peter Jones, lighting by Michael Giannitti of Bennington College,

and an environmental set by Vermont visual artist Herb Ferris,

at 8 p.m. on Wednesday and Thursday, January 29 and 30 at the

Center for the Arts Dance Theatre at Middlebury College. Crossing

Over was created by Andrea Olsen, director of the dance program,

in collaboration with Guest Artist Peter Schmitz and the student

ensemble, including Kris Clarke ‘97, Christina Guillette ‘97,

Kate Kerschbaum ‘96.5, Amy Larsen ‘97, Melissa Loeben ‘98, Faye

Leone ‘99, Betsey McCall ‘99, and Mark Stuver ‘97.5. Appearing

as guest performers with the company for the final performances

will be Paul Matteson and Meagan Londy.

Several of the company members have received recent

awards and honors for their dancing. Betsey McCall and Melissa

Loeben were honored this month by having their work selected to

be performed on the Gala Concert

at the American College Dance Festival at Bates College,

and last spring Kate Kerschbaum and Paul Matteson performed Mr.

Matteson’s choreography at the Kennedy Center, where he was awarded

Dance Magazine’s Outstanding Young Choreographer award.

Paul Matteson, Mark Stuver, and Christina Guillette have been

invited to accompany Peter Schmitz to Boston for a featured performance

of his choreography in February.

Crossing Over is based

on Ms. Olsen’s experience with her father, a water-color painter,

in his struggle with Alzheimer’s. The dance acknowledges the

gradual process of surrender and transformation for both father

and daughter, and the subtle invocation which involves the whole

community in the mysterious celebration of crossing over from

life to death. The work has been revised and edited through performances

this fall, and has recently been presented on tour in Massachusetts.

Tickets are $4 general admission, $3 faculty, staff,

and senior citizens, and $2 for students. They can be reserved

by calling 443-6433. For more information, please call Andrea

Olsen at 443-5687.