肉肉传媒

KENNESAW, Ga. | Feb 18, 2020

Atlanta鈥檚 new contemporary ballet company has close ties to KSU

肉肉传媒 Department of Dance will host Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre as they present 鈥淢odern Myths鈥� March 6-7 at the Dance Theater on the Marietta Campus. Atlanta鈥檚 new contemporary ballet company, Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre (Terminus) and KSU Department of Dance (Dance) announced their partnership in Fall of 2019. The production will be the first performance hosted by KSU since establishing the partnership.

Alumnus John Welker (Dance, 鈥�17) started Terminus with the goal of assembling a world class group of dancers who focus on telling stories through dance. 鈥淢odern Myths鈥� is an original production that demonstrates that 鈥測ou don鈥檛 have to go to New York City to experience world-class arts programming,鈥� according to Welker. 鈥淢odern Myths鈥� will feature dance works that showcase Terminus鈥� versatile dance technique and includes students from Terminus School of Modern Ballet and a student enrolled at both Terminus School and KSU Department of Dance.

An evening of neo-classical ballet inspired by the legends of Greek mythology, 鈥淢odern Myths鈥� will feature the Atlanta premiere of Terminus resident choreographer Tara Lee鈥檚 鈥淯nder the Olive Tree鈥� and Terminus resident choreographer Heath Gill鈥檚 鈥淗orizons.鈥� An Atlanta premiere, 鈥淯nder the Olive Tree鈥� first premiered with New Orleans Ballet Theater in 2016. Called 鈥渟tark,鈥� 鈥渟triking,鈥� and 鈥渟ensual鈥� by the Miami Herald, Lee鈥檚 fluid choreography both celebrates and opposes classicism, and is inspired by the divine/human duality of the Greek gods and goddesses. The work features Peng Yu Chen, formerly with , and Terminus School students, making it the largest cast to date. 

鈥淚t鈥檚 remarkable that several of our top-level students have been chosen by the choreographers to share the stage with our professional Terminus artists,鈥� says Welker. Mary Peterson, a student of both KSU Dance and Terminus, is one four students chosen to perform with the company. 鈥淭his opportunity is super inspiring,鈥� says Peterson. 鈥淚 really love the level of collaboration that goes on during the rehearsal process between the dancers and the choreographer. As a student at both KSU and Terminus School, I鈥檓 pushed to get my foundation strong with technique so I can build my artistry. Being in rehearsals with professionals has grown my level of artistry just by observing and absorbing. It鈥檚 so inspiring!鈥�

KSU alumna (Dance, 鈥�19) recently landed the job as Stage Manager for Terminus. She is now actively using her work experience from countless performances for both KSU Dance Company and the KSU Dance Festival, all under the tutelage of , production manager for KSU Dance. Pellini relishes her role as stage manager for 鈥淢odern Myths鈥� and says, 鈥淚t is always a pleasure to be back at 肉肉传媒 State University. I was one of the first students to work in the Dance Theater when it opened, and Terminus was one of the first professional companies I started working for, so it is always a special full-circle moment for me when those two things come together.鈥�

Patrons will also be treated to the work of Heath Gill in 鈥淗orizons,鈥� which premiered at Terminus鈥� outdoor performance home, Serenbe, and will be uniquely adapted for a traditional indoor theatre. Using Gill鈥檚 signature storytelling ability and athletic movement style, the dance work is inspired by the tale of , who was drawn to the sun.  Gill notes that 鈥減erhaps there is appeal in watching someone attempt something great, in spite of the outcome. In many versions, Icarus鈥� story is a cautionary tale of ambition, a trait that is equal parts of our greatest strength and of our folly. Having been warned of the dangers of flying too close to the sun, what would drive someone to take that risk?鈥�

In 2017, five principal dance artists, formerly tenured at Atlanta Ballet, took a risk to create their unique vision of dance, and Terminus was born. By bringing together the classical and contemporary dance forms and strengths of each of its principal artists, the company has become celebrated for the creation of daring and theatrical dance works.

KSU will host Terminus Modern Ballet Theater in its production of 鈥淢odern Myths鈥� March 6-7 at 8:00 p.m. at the Dance Theater on the KSU Marietta campus.  To buy tickets or to learn more, please visit Terminus Modern Ballet Theatre.

--Kathie Beckett