Jan. 26, 2006
Contact: Gordon Ovenshine:
724-738-4854; gordon.ovenshine@sru.edu
‘THIS WOMAN’S WORK,’
INCLUDING SRU FACULTY, ALUMNA
URSULA PAYNE, MAKES DANCE
MAGAZINE’S TOP 25 LIST
SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – “This
Woman’s Work,” a national collaborative involving SRU
dance faculty Ursula Payne and six other African-American female
choreographers, has been selected for inclusion in Dance
Magazine’s “25 to Watch” list for
2006.
Dance
Magazine traveled “the U.S. and world, looking for star
quality, extraordinary artistry or superb potential,” editor
Karen Hildebrand said.
Payne, a
1992 SRU graduate, and the other choreographers were acknowledged
for their contributions to the success of the collective's approach
to presenting their work. Princess M’hoon-Cooper
and Bridget Moore, former guest artists at SRU, founded
“This Woman’s Work” in 2003, which identifies and
supports the creative work of African-American female
choreographers along with providing opportunities for
showcasing their choreography.
The January
cover story lauds the women for handling their own management,
fundraising, public relations and costume designs. “These
emerging black women are intent on getting their work out -- on
their own terms,” Dance Magazine reporter Charmaine Warren
wrote.
“It is
a high honor for my name to be associated with
this collective and to have been invited to present two of my
original solo dances in the 2003 and 2005 New York concerts,”
said Payne, associate professor of dance. “Maintaining
a national performance and choreographic record in the
professional dance world while teaching full time in the dance
department has been very challenging, but well worth the
effort.”
She added, “Being involved in
“This Woman's Work” is one of many professional
relationships I have developed with talented and visionary artists
throughout my career in the U.S. and abroad. Ultimately, its
inclusion as one of the 25 to watch for 2006 is a testament to our
ability to organize, promote and represent at the highest artistic
level this generation of African-American female
choreographers.”
“We are
so proud of Ursula and value her as a teacher, mentor and
colleague,” SRU’s Nora Ambrosio, dance department
chair, said. “Having seen her and the other
choreographers perform as part of “This Woman's Work,”
I am not surprised that Dance Magazine has singled them out for its
‘25 to Watch’ list. The passion, commitment and
sheer talent of these women is
phenomenal.”
Payne teaches
“Modern Dance,” “Advanced Modern Dance,”
“Jazz,” “Dance Kinesiology,”
“Repertory,” “Dance Composition,”
“Wellness for Dancers” and serves as artistic director
for SRU’s dance theater.Payne’s
choreography has been presented nationally and internationally,
including performances in Mexico, Taiwan and Monaco. She has been a
guest artist at schools throughout the United States and abroad.
She has received several SRU research and travel grants, as well as
choreographic fellowships from the Pennsylvania Council for the
Arts in 2000 and 2002.
#PN, PR,
PgN