OMDC Update

OMDC is proud to present:

Movement improvisation workshop
with Elizabeth June Bergman

Thursday, July 8 • 6 to 7:30 pm
Heartland Hall (at Robin Welch Dance Arts)
8801 F Street, Omaha • $10

For dancers, choreographers, and theater artists

This 90-minute workshop will explore the art of danced improvisation both as a method for generating new movement for choreographic purposes and as a practice to develop compositional awareness and spontaneity of expression.

The workshop will emphasize individual creativity while providing structure and tools with which to discover new movement possibilities and hone the ability to compose in the moment. The historical and philosophical aspects of movement improvisation as an art form will be touched on to give context to the physical, creative act. The participants will experience creating movement unique to their bodies and tastes and have the chance to improvise dances in small groups. Movers of all ages and technical abilities are encouraged to attend.

An open choreography showing will follow the workshop. Choreographers (whether they participated in the workshop or not) are invited to show segments of works in progress, with the option of receiving feedback from Elizabeth June Bergman, OMDC members, and the audience. Please contact OMDC in advance if you are interested in showing work. The showing is open to the public, with admission by voluntary donation.

Elizabeth June Bergman is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and aspiring dance scholar. She holds a MFA in dance from the University of Iowa and a BA from DeSales University in Pennsylvania.

Elizabeth began her training at the Omaha Academy of Ballet. While living in Omaha she founded and directed Arcanum Contemporary Dance, and danced with OMDC, the Moving Company, and Omaha Dance Project.

For the past year Elizabeth has been based in Minneapolis, where she has performed her own work as well as that of other dance artists in the community.  Most recently her work has been presented by the curators of “Renovate” at The Ritz Theater in Minneapolis and in the Dominican Republic as part of “Virtually Yours”, a Jennifer Kayle and Charlotte Adams production.

Elizabeth’s next artistic venture is a film and dance installation curated by The Soap Factory in Minneapolis at the end of July.

For more info contact OMDC at 551-7473

To download a printable PDF of this announcement, click here. Please post the announcement wherever dancers congregate!

Omaha’s best value in dance training has just moved to a great new space!

OMDC’s weekly intermediate/advanced modern dance technique class now meets on Thursdays from  6 to 7:30 pm at Robin Welch Dance Arts, 8801 F Street in Omaha.

Taught by Susan Dickson-Matsunami, the class wraps biomechanically sound technique in an exhilarating mix of movement inspirations that include Paul Taylor, Martha Graham, Jose Limon, and Lester Horton.

Susan, who has a master’s degree in dance from the University of Iowa as well as a master’s degree in physical therapy, is an adjunct faculty member at Creighton University and a widely respected independent choreographer. Her calm yet motivating teaching style makes this class a great way to re-awaken your inner dancer!

The class also is a great way to mix with others in Omaha’s modern dance community and to meet independent choreographers looking for dancers or dancers looking for places to perform. We’re a friendly group and encouraging to newcomers, so come and give it a try! The fee is only $10 per class, and drop-ins are always welcome!

Congratulations to all the artists who participated in DanceFest 2009, Omaha Performing Arts and OMDC!

DanceFest 2009 won the best local dance production at the 4th Annual Omaha Entertainment Awards tonight.

Thank you to: Susan Dickson-Matsunami, Mary Waugh Taylor, Lauren Frederick, Elizabeth Bergman, Charles Ahovissi, Lauren Bartels, Jeff Curtis, Kathy Bass, Taffy Howard, Lisa Carter, Patti Zukaitis, Josie Metal-Corbin, Mary Lorraine, Julian Adair, Stephanie Pearson, Jackie Newman, Anne Scheer, Patrick O’Malley, all the performers and especially the audience.