The University dance troupe:
Not the same old
sonq and dance
The piano plays "In the Mood" and nineteen pairs of
feet tap, hop and shuffle across the floor in the music
building classroom
"I'm missing that over-all feeling of electricity,’’ says
Jean Robinson, the choreographer "You've got to make
the audience feel there's nothing you’d rather do Let’s
take from bop-a-do-wop "
Intensity sits heavy in the air and patience domi
nates Ribinson’s voice in the rehearsal for the Universi
ty’s Song and Dance Troupe
The troupe, which began this term is a first for the
University in many ways, says Steve Stone, the group's
Marcee Shriver plays the vamp
co-advisor and the assistant dean of the music school
The course, offered jointly through the music school and
dance department, provides practical experience for
talented students interested in musical theatre
But at the same time the dance troupe provides the
University with a versatile group of entertainers eager for
an audience And the University is happy to oblige
"We are a service organization for the University," Stone
says
The group has performed during New Student Week
at the Parents Weekend assembly and at a Halloween
dance for the group Oregon Advocates for the Arts
Members of the troupe were selected for their
singing, dancing and music-reading abilities They are
musicians, choreographers, composers and directors,
with a repertoire ranging from Broadway show tunes to
vocal jazz
Although Stone and Janet Descutner, assistant
professor of dance, are the advisors, most of the work is
done by the students, says Stone
"We are student-based and self-run” says C harlie
Bach, a sophomore and tenor soloist for the troupe
Students decide choreography, piano accompaniment,
rehearsal direction and performance staging
Music selection and constructive criticism are
collective agreements,"Descutner says
Members say the group's strength is its cohesion
"We expect everybody to be an individual and hold their
own," says the group's pianist John Mansfield
In addition to three hours of rehearsal each week the
group usually meets on weekends, holds meetings and
expects members to learn the music and steps on their
own time
No complaints are heard regarding the scant one
Choreographer Jean Robison calls out instructions
credit earned by the students "We do it for no credit,"
says Susan Fleck
Performances by other University groups—such as
the University Theatre's "Bent’ —can be very depressing.
Robinson says "I like to do happy things," she adds
Funding tor the troupe's expenses still is an unset
tled issue. Stone says, adding that money is "no strain "
The music being used is either from the school's stock or
is adapted by students from sheet music Travel ex
penses are covered by admission fees and the dancers
have purchased their own costumes
"We're hoping outside sources will help pay them
back," Descutner says "Some of the men have invested
up to $60 "
The first goal for the troupe is to build its repertoire
into two or three hours' worth of material. Bach says
"But since we re constantly performing rehearsals it
makes it harder to add new things,' he says
"We are the newest performance group on cam
pus," Bach adds "We still need to learn the roles each
member can take, and what music needs will evolve "
Story by Diane Wlnocur
Photos by David Coray
Johnathan Mansfield and Sue Fleck of the newly-formed University Song and Dance Troupe dance a duet
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