Colonnade

Issue date: 2/5/10 Section: Features

Media Credit: Bobby Gentry From left: Cedric Hall and Devin Baker dance in "Dockhands," illustrating the struggle and perseverance of African-Americans in post-Civil War America. The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble strive to preserve historic choreography.

Media Credit: Bobby Gentry Kamilah Turner and Cedric Hall dance together in a piece titled "Betrothal," which is about the journey from Africa to the United States.

Media Credit: Bobby Gentry Edgar Page performs in "Desert Prayer," a dance focused on the Muslim influence in Africa.

The Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, native to Denver, traveled to Milledgeville on Jan. 27 for a three-day residency in which the professional dancers led master classes for GCSU dance students, demonstrations open to the public, and a performance of historical and cultural choreography.

The 13 dancers, traveling to Las Vegas and Arizona before arriving for their residency, are a mixture of national and international dancers who seek to carry on the works of many modern dance pioneers, such as Alvin Ailey, Katherine Dunham and Milton Myers.

Julie Mulvihill, GCSU dance instructor of modern and jazz movement for the spring semester, believes it is essential for the public to experience dance through performances and demonstrations.

"I think it's really important to have dance companies visit (Milledgeville) because a lot of folks here don't get to see a lot of professional dance," Mulvahill said. "They see kid recitals, but when you come to a professional dance show its like coming to an art gallery. It's art through movement."

Many dance pieces presented at the Jan. 29 performance were rooted in African-American traditions and history, such as "Blood Memories" originally choreographed by Donald McKayle, who received a medal as a Master of African-American Choreography in 2005. Cleo Parker Robinson dancer Chris Page feels strongly that dance was meant to express people's lives then and now.

"Early modern dancers have said that dance is from the people and it should be given back to the people," Page said. "Even in other cultures they embrace dance as a ritual, worship or communicating to other people. Our company reflects the human experience. 'Spiritual Suite' was about the human experience. Even 'Raindance' was about a ritual people have done to bring forth the rain. Dance reflects the community and that's what I love."

Robinson's own choreography, titled "Spiritual Suite," was performed at the concert too. It used music by Aretha Franklin and Chaka Khan. Dancer Edgar Page thinks this choreography and many other works can really affect audiences because it is wrapped around the African American story.

"Dance speaks to people through stories," Edgar Page said. "When you go into a theater you are surrendering yourself to that story, but in dance especially you can almost feel it. When you can see someone fighting for the movement you can connect."

Mulvihill believes the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble is unique for this ability to portray stories while still relating their fusion of many different dance techniques.

"A lot of dance companies call themselves a 'fusion' dance company, but Cleo Parker Robinson takes it seriously," Mulvahill said. "They take on music, culture and touches on stereotyping ideas and personalities. She is able to use different races and address, even overcome stereotypes."

Overall, the performance allured an energized, attentive crowd and many dancers said they felt the audiences support. For some dancers it was their first time in Georgia, and for many it was their first time in Milledgeville. Dancer Katie Jenkins, in her third season with the group, reflected on her time spent in town.

"Everybody (in Milledgeville) was so friendly and welcoming," Jenkins said. "The way they received the performance was awesome; it was the best feeling. You could tell we take our craft seriously. When people can see it's not just about dancing it's about the whole picture. I loved how everyone got to enjoy it."

As the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble ventures back to Denver the dancers hope that their impact in Milledgeville and elsewhere has been influential enough to inspire others.

"Arts are just so crucial to people, not only because it is a release, but it's a different way to problem solve, a different way to use your brain," Jenkins said. "It's not just right and wrong. It's the emotion and spiritual aspects of it, not just the physicality of it all. With dance you can learn to explore."

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