August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble to Play Winter Center at Millersville University, 9/28

The August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble (AWCDE) celebrates African American cultures by preserving, presenting, interpreting, celebrating and shaping the art, culture and history of African Americans.

Named after the late Pulitzer Prize winning playwright August Wilson, AWCDE is a company that is dedicated to performing dances that are rooted in the African American dance tradition. In 2012, the young, but quickly rising Dance Company was placed on Dance Magazine's "25 to Watch" list. They wrote, "The August Wilson Dance Ensemble...claims the spotlight with quicksilver agility, fierce athleticism, finely honed Horton technique, and innate theatricality."

"When I saw this dance ensemble perform a year ago, I felt we had to get them on our schedule and to Lancaster," Laura Kendall, Director of the Ware & Winter Centers said. "I was not only mesmerized by their modern dance professionalism, but also by their athletic abilities...the ensemble simply took my breath away. So, I booked them on the spot."

In the spring of 2009, Greer Reed was awarded the coveted title of Fellow at the August Wilson Center to create the ensemble. Reed's vision for the novice Dance Company was to provide a bridge in the dance community, reaching across ethnic and socio-economic lines to bring different dancers, of different backgrounds and styles together to celebrate the diversity of dance. Ms. Reed was the Artistic Director for Dance Alloy Theater, Pittsburgh's premier modern Dance Company. She has been affiliated, danced and or choreographed and taught for numerous prestigious organizations including Dance Theatre of Harlem, Ailey II, Bates College, and the Pennsylvania Governor's School for the Arts.

"Dance brings people together, instilling hope and renewing the soul. The August Wilson Center Dance Ensemble has the power, fearlessness and soul to do just that," Adrienne Totino, Pittsburgh Dance Examiner.

The performance takes place at the Winter Center on the Millersville University campus, 60 Cottage Avenue, Millersville. Parking is free and within a half a block of the Center.

Tickets are $20; $17 seniors; $5 MU students, all reserved seating. Tickets may be reserved by calling the Ticket Office at 717-872-3811; online at artsmu.com; Or in person at the Ware Center Box Office, 42 North Prince Street, Lancaster or the SMC Building on campus. Ticket Offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 AM- 4:00 PM, and one hour prior to the performance. This show is family friendly and is suitable for people of all ages.

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