Seventy performers, an array of stylistic dance pieces and four guest choreographers along with faculty members leaving their individual marks on Sacramento State makes up “Dance Sites,” an annual fall production held by the Department of Theatre and Dance, which begins Thursday evening in the University Theatre.

The showcase features 11 dance pieces choreographed entirely by faculty members and guest artists. Each choreographer brought something new to the table, making the production a very eclectic one, said Director Lorelei Bayne. The production’s diverse styles include works in dance/theater, Fosse-style jazz, jazz tap, avant-garde styles, contemporary ballet, abstract modern styles and pieces set to percussion.

“It’s exciting because we have completely different styles of dance right next to each other,” Bayne said.

Guest choreographers include artists in residence Keith Williams and Lisa Russo along with visiting scholars Dale Scholl and Paul Besaw. Their assistance, along with their individual pieces, has been a great blessing to the production, Bayne said. She also mentioned that Williams was able to set his piece in one visit to Sac State.

“It was an intensive three-day rehearsal period,” Bayne said.Russo dances in the company of renowned West Coast choreographer Anna Halprin and has based her dance/theater piece on that inspiration. Paul Besaw is a former Sac State faculty member who recently transferred to University of Vermont to start a dance program and is returning for the performance with a contemporary piece that includes two seniors and two alumni dancers.

“The piece is very strenuous and athletic, but somehow there’s an elegance to it,” Bayne said.

Professor Emeritus Dale Scholl reworked a piece of hers from 1984 and will also be holding a pre-show lecture at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday about the growth of Sac State’s dance program from a focus of physical education to the Department of Theatre and Dance that exists today. This joint department has been very beneficial to “Dance Sites,” Bayne said.

“We have a lot of actors and dancers in the show, which is great,” she said. “We do have a lot of crossover in our department. We’re really lucky.”

“Dance Sites” contains performances by current Sac State students, alumni, community senior citizens and even one high school student. Karen Toon is the only faculty choreographer to also be performing in the show – dancing a three-minute rhythm-tap solo. Other faculty choreographers include Department Chair Linda Goodrich, Nolan T’Sani, Lisa Ross, Associate Professor Ed Brazoand and Bayne, who is also an assistant professor.

Additional inspiration for the production is provided by the musical accompaniment of Sac State’s Percussion Ensemble under the direction of Professor Daniel Kennedy. Four of the dance pieces, including Bayne’s, are choreographed to the live music. This mingling of departments has been extremely exciting for all those involved in the creation and performance of the production, Bayne said.

Goodrich agreed that working with various outside influences has been important in helping the dance department to mold a comprehensive production.

“This year continues the dance program’s commitment to the collaborative process of dance as a performance art. By collaborating with the Sacramento State Percussion Group, several guest artists and designers, we are giving our students an experience that represents the totality of dance as art,” Goodrich said.

Although budget cuts sweeping the campus have put a damper on the future potential of the show, “Dance Sites 2006” is the largest and most diverse rendition of this annual program to date, Bayne said.

“Dance Sites 2006” kicks off Thursday at 6:30 p.m., followed by a reception and a Q-and-A session with the choreographers.

The production will continue through Dec. 17 with shows on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are $12 for general admission, $10 for seniors and students and $8 for ages 10 and under. For more information, visit the Department of Theatre and Dance website at www.csus.edu/dram, or call (916) 278-7033.

Bridget Jones can be reached at [email protected]