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Dance was an important part of the educational philosophy of the
Flora Stone Mather College for Women where it was housed like so many other programs founded in the early
part of the 20th century in the Physical Education Department.
In 1956,
Kathryn Karipides
came to Western Reserve University to teach Modern Dance, Folk and Square Dance and Social Dance.
Ballet and Jazz Dance classes were also offered and taught by local guest instructors.
In 1972, the Dance Program forged a path followed by so many other programs as it moved into the
Department of Drama. Curricula for both an undergraduate concentration and a minor were developed.
At the request of then chair, Ted Herstand,
Kelly Holt
was asked to devise a curriculum for a
Masters of Fine Arts Degree.
By 1975, he was also asked to join the faculty.
From 1969 through 1979, the Case Western Reserve Modern Dance Company, a resident company
comprised of area professionals and CWRU students performed at Eldred Theater as the
"Dance Theater of Kathryn Karipides and Henry Kurth". In the 1980's, Mather Gymnasium was fitted,
according to Kurth's technical design, with a full cyclorama, theatrical lighting equipment and moveable
bleachers for audiences. It was renamed, Mather Dance Center.
Mather Gymnasium before it was converted to Mather Dance Center
Since the 1950's, numerous workshops,
lecture demonstrations and master classes were sponsored in association with the Cleveland Modern Dance Association
(now DanceCleveland).
Such distinguished dancers and teachers as Doris Humphrey, Anna Sokolow and Erick Hawkins to name a few have
graced the studios at Mather Dance Center. Each year concerts have been held featuring works by faculty,
guest artists, MFA candidates and alumni. Additionally, the undergraduate ensemble "Scandals" was founded in the
'80's by Janet Meskin ('82) and renamed MaDaCol,
by Louis Kavouras ('89) in the early 90's when he held the Dance Lecturer position.
MaDaCol now produces two concerts a year
featuring works by graduate students for undergraduates and community dancers.
Distinguished among the over 70
MFA
and
MA graduates and the many undergraduates of the program
are numerous professional dancers, teachers and choreographers. Lucinda Lavelli is the Provost and
Vice Chancellor at North Carolina School of the Arts and chairing other departments are:
Jane Baas at Western Michigan University and Louis Kavouras at the University of Nevada at Las Vegas.
Directing programs and dance ensembles in universities or high schools are: Jan Hyatt at Allegheny College,
Chris DiCello at Lake Erie College, Ruth Griffith at University of California at Fresno,
Frankie Hart at Performing Arts High School in Florida, Holly Labbe Russell at Colby College in Maine,
Vera Orlock at the University of Kansas, LeAnne Smith Stedman at Southwest Texas State Univeristy, and
Sally Harris Wallace at Purdue University as well as Karen Potter,
director of the
Case Dance Program .
Performing professionally are: Gary Galbraith,
Principal Dancer with the world acclaimed Martha Graham Dance Company and Associate Professor of Dance at CWRU;
and Louis Kavouras with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company and Chair of the Department of Theater and Dance at UNLV.
Having formed their own companies are: Gina Gibney (Gina Gibney Full Circle Dance in New York, New York);
Gail Heilbron Steinitz (CoMotion in Seattle, Washington); Chris DiCello (DanceTheater Collective of Cleveland, Ohio);
LeAnne Smith Stedman (Opening Door Dance Theater in San Marcos, Texas); and
Joan Meggitt, (Antaeus, Cleveland, Ohio.)
Others have also had distinguished careers performing professionally including: Karen Potter,
Craig Nazor, and Frank Roth all with the Erick Hawkins Dance Company; and Dirck Van Tassel
with the Nikolais/Louis Dance Company and Billy Gornel with Louis Falco.
John Bradley founded and directs the Polyhymnia Early Music Ensemble in New York.
Many others are distinguished teachers in the area including Colleen Clark, Nick Carlisle, Joan Hartshorne,
Romy Noltmier and Joan Meggitt.
Nine outstanding MFA recipients earned their undergraduate degrees at CWRU before
entering the Graduate Dance Program: Gary Galbraith (Bio-Medical Engineering);
Gina Gibney (History/Theater and Dance); Ruth Griffin (Music Education);
Marc Katz (CIM-CWRU Music); Louis Kavouras (Engineering/Theater and Dance);
Lenna Kitterman (Theater and Dance); Vera Orlock (Music Education);
Angela Patrinos (Undergraduate Scholars Program); Gail Heilbron Steinitz (Psychology).
Since it's inception in 1976, the dance program excels in providing graduate students
with the highest level of professional training and scholarly education.
Undergraduates uniquely benefit from co-existing in the stimulating atmosphere
alongside graduate students and receive a quality liberal arts education.
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