Dance troupe performing at Southeast

Dance lovers have an unusual opportunity this week as the Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company holds a three-day residency at Southeast Missouri State University.

On Wednesday, the company will hold a master class for dance students from the university and surrounding dance schools, while the public is invited to attend a lecture and demonstration Thursday and a performance Friday night.

"I am so excited," said Dr. Marc Strauss, associate professor of theater and dance at the university. "Paul Taylor is one of the top five modern dance choreographers in the world."

Paul Taylor 2 was formed in 1993 with the intention of bringing the works of the Paul Taylor Dance Company, which renowned choreographer Paul Taylor created in 1954, to smaller communities and provide educational outreach.

The six dancers in Taylor 2 travel 42 weeks out of the year, conducting lecture-demonstrations, teaching classes and performing.

Before reaching Cape Girardeau, the company was in Salem, Mass., for a residency at Salem State College. By Nov. 1, the dancers will have moved on to San Francisco.

Strauss said the company will perform three of Taylor's masterworks this week -- the cheery, up-tempo "Airs," the moody "Rumes" and "Piazzaolla Caldera," Taylor's take on the tango.

Jackie Robertson, the director of Dance Expressions in Jackson, called Taylor's work "modern dancing done right."

Five of Robertson's students will be among the 35 to 40 people attending Wednesday's master class. The class is for university dance students and invited students from dance schools like Robertson's.

"I have two students who are particularly interested in Webster University in St. Louis and modern dance. I think having this experience will be great for them," Robertson said.

"To get these type of experiences you usually have to go to St. Louis. When there's something like this in our area we need to take advantage of that," she said.

While Robertson will only observe the class, university dance instructor Kari Schroeder will be there to participate.

"They are a world-renowned dance group and to have the students able to take classes from them is a great opportunity and they're very excited about it," Schroeder said.

And Schroeder, who has learned some of the company's repertoire, is excited about the class and the performance.

"I've never had the chance to see them on stage, so it's a great opportunity for me as well," she said.

'A wonderful introduction'

While the master class is by invitation only, from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Thursday the company will hold a lecture-demonstration at the Rose Theatre to talk about the company's dance techniques.

"It's a wonderful opportunity to learn a little and educate yourself before you see the concert the next night," Strauss said. "It's a wonderful introduction to Paul Taylor's work."

"When you have the opportunity to see some of the best dancers in the world in your own back yard, it can be eye-opening," Strauss said. "These are professional artists who have devoted their whole lives to performing world-class choreography."

kalfisi@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 182

WANT TO GO?

What: Paul Taylor 2 lecture/demonstration and performance

When: Lecture/demonstration from 12:30 to 1:45 p.m. Thursday and performance at 8 p.m. Friday

Where: Rose Theatre

Info: To purchase tickets for the performance, call the Performing Arts Box Office at 651-2265