Zodiaque Dance Company to Celebrate 30th Anniversary with Gala Performance

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo Department of Theatre and Dance will present Zodiaque Dance Company on Nov. 13-16 and Nov. 20-23 in the Drama Theatre located in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

This year celebrates the 30th anniversary of UB's Zodiaque Dance Company. The company, housed in the Department of Theatre and Dance, boasts a tradition of excellence by providing solid educational and performance experiences for its student members. "Celebration 30" is a two-weekend concert spectacular showcasing a fully designed and choreographed concert by some of UB's finest alumni. On Nov. 15, a gala reunion concert of UB Zodiaque alumni, friends and guests will take place in the Drama Theatre. Guest alumni choreographers include: Anthony Calucci, Joseph Celej, Sheri Celentano, Jody Dombrowski, Jeanne Goddard, Roberto Villaneuva and Stacy Zawadzki. Alumni costume designers include: Jennifer LaMastra and Cathy Lista, with guest student designers Dyan O'Connell and Kate Palame. Alumni lighting designers include: C. Ann Kelly, Tom Kostusiak, Joshua Piatov, Joseph Schmidt, Bryan Sidorowicz, Rebecca Wolf and student designer Dyan O'Connell. Lighting and image directors are Lynne Koscielniak and Dyan O'Connell, with image narration by Hallie Clarke. A collaborative faculty work for Zodiaque, reflecting "the Special Times," will be choreographed by the dance faculty including: Tom Ralabate, Zodiaque director; Tressa Gorman Crehan and Lynne Kurdziel Formato, associate directors; William Thomas, Zodiaque Studio Ensemble Director, and UB dance faculty member Shelley Hain.

In addition to the featured alumni dance concert, a "pre-show" will kick-off the Nov. 15 gala evening with the presentation of the first UB Zodiaque Dance Company Distinguished Alumni Awards, presented to alumni for their significant impact on dance as an art form demonstrated through excellence in the areas of performance, choreography and arts education. First-time recipients will include: Jeffry Denman, a choreographer, author and Broadway actor who has appeared in "The Producers," "How to Succeed," "Cats" and the Shaw Festival; Jeanne Goddard, professor in dance and choreographer at Wells College, and Jon Lehrer, choreographer, performer and associate director of Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.

Other presentations will include the first UB Zodiaque Dance Company Directors' Awards, presented to major supporters of the Zodiaque Dance Company and for their significant impact on dance by enhancing community building. First-time recipients will include: Carol Greiner, Marilyn Ciancio, Linda Swiniuch and UB Center for the Arts. A slide presentation and special tribute to Professor Emeritus Linda Swiniuch, the founding director of Zodiaque and UB's dance program, will highlight the "pre-show."

Following the alumni-staged performance of Zodiaque Dance Company, the gala evening will conclude with a reception for Zodiaque alumni, friends and guests in the Center for the Arts' atrium.

Tickets for the Nov. 15 gala concert "Celebration 30" are $25. Admission for all other performances is $15 for the general public, and $6 for students and seniors. Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Center for the Arts Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including Kaufmann's. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada, call 1-416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771. For more information, call 645-ARTS. The Center for the Arts is a TicketFast location.