Point Park's Conservatory Dance Co. Opens Season Oct. 11

Point Park University's Conservatory Dance Company opens its bold 2018 - 2019 season with Contemporary Choreographers, a diverse selection of pieces from renowned choreographers who stretch the boundaries of dance. Contemporary Choreographers runs from Oct. 11 - 14 in the George Rowland White Performance Center at Point Park University, 201 Wood Street. Performances will be at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Adult tickets are $20-24, students and seniors are $10; tickets can be purchased by calling the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office at 412-392-8000 or visiting www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

Contemporary Choreographers features "Dancin' in the Dark" by Mark Burrell; "4 Yous" by Peter Chu; "Rendezvous" by Christopher Huggins; and "Into the Light" by Jae Man Joo.

"This is an electric evening of dance that spans from challenging technical pieces to contemporary ballet to high-energy modern, exploring the beauty and complexity of human emotion, new ideas, and fresh movement," said Ronald Allan-Lindblom, artistic director, Pittsburgh Playhouse.

Mark Burrell's body of work weaves in and out of the commercial and concert dance worlds. Last year, he made his Pittsburgh debut as choreographer for CLO's Xanadu. He comes directly from the international touring company of PIPPIN, and was the assistant choreographer for Radio City Music Hall's Christmas Spectacular for 11 years. His work often explores the LGBTQ community and the voids that are rarely discussed.

Peter Chu is an award-winning, multi-faceted artist. He's performed with BJM_Danse and EZdanza, as the lead in Christina Perri'sJar of Hearts music video, and in Celine Dion's Vegas Spectacular, A New Day. He has created for and worked with the biggest dance companies across the globe. Most recently, he choreographed and directed full-evening programs for Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, Harvard University, Charlotte Ballet and Charlotte-Mecklenburg schools.

Christopher Huggins performed and toured with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre for five years. More recently, he staged several Ailey ballets in Italy, Norway and the United States. He is a world-renowned teacher and choreographer, and has been a guest artist with companies such as Donald Byrd/The Group, Cecilia Marta Dance Company, Daniel Tinazzi's Deca Dance and the Dallas Black Dance Theatre.

Jae Man Joo was born and raised in Korea, where he trained in classical ballet, modern and Korean traditional dances. An award-winning artist, he was a principal dancer at Ballet Hispanico and Complexions Contemporary Ballet, where he's been the associate artistic director, ballet master and resident choreographer for 19 years. He's created many works that are performed at New York main stages and presented all around the globe.

"We are proud to welcome these celebrated artists and their visionary work to Point Park and to Pittsburgh dance lovers," said Garfield Lemonius, chair of dance and associate artistic director, Point Park University. "A wildly talented cast of over 70 Conservatory students will leave audiences breathless as they perform with exquisite technique and resounding passion. We are honored to be able to expose our students to such dance masters."

For more information about the Conservatory Dance Company's season, visit pittsburghplayhouse.com.

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