THE ROSE EXPOSED: an all day collaboration between Gina Bacher, Plan-B, Pygmalion, RDT, RWDC, SB Dance, and Spy Hop @ ose Wagner Performing Arts Center, Salt Lake City, Utah: Saturday, September 1, 2012

An All-day Collaboration Between the Six Resident Performing Arts Organizations at the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center Including Free Classes, Performances, Masterclasses, Yoga, a Variety Show and More

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SALT LAKE CITY  -  In a first-ever, epic collaboration, the six resident performing arts organizations of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (the Rose) will present an all-day “extravaganza” called The Rose Exposed on Saturday, September 1, 2012. The six companies represent the pinnacle of their art forms and span the worlds of dance, theatre, and music: Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation, Plan-B Theatre Company, Pygmalion Theatre Company, Repertory Dance Theatre, Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, and SB Dance. Together, these companies comprise the Performing Arts Coalition. There will also be representation from Spy Hop, one of  the Rose Wagner’s frequent renters.  Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center is located at 138 West Broadway (300 South) in Salt Lake City. Over 50 artists, performers, and teachers are involved in this celebration of the performing arts. 

The event will celebrate the diverse space that is the Rose. “Repertory Dance Theatre (RDT) has been looking forward to an event that includes the primary users of the Rose for a very long time. In 1983, RDT began to dream of a performing arts venue that would be a laboratory for artists in downtown SLC,” says Linda Smith, founder and Artistic Director of RDT. “In 1997, that dream was realized and the Rose is now  a ‘gem’ of a space and a great resource in the community.”

Adds Jerry Rapier, Producing Director of Plan-B Theatre Company, “So much of what Plan-B Theatre Company does involves community partnerships.  We thrive on it.  But what we haven’t done, and what The Rose Exposed gives us the opportunity to do, is collaborate artistically with our neighbors at the Rose.  It surprises me how frequently people refer to the Rose as ‘that building across the street from Squatters’ or simply don’t know what it is.  We need to change that!”

Free classes, activities, and performances suitable for all ages will be presented from 9:00 am until 5:00 pm. At 7:00 pm and 9:00 pm, audiences can sample the upcoming seasons of the six companies in The Rose Exposed Variety Show for $10. Tickets are required for both free and paid events and are available at www.roseXposed.org.

“This day is going to be like the circus rolling into town,” says Stephen Brown, Director of SB Dance. “There's something for everyone -  from Peter and The Wolf for kids to a late-night smorgasbord show for adults. I'll be teaching a sport yoga class that you can't find anywhere else in the area. In fact, it's impossible to find another day like this anywhere in the country. SB Dance is thrilled to be sharing stages with such an inspiring group of fellow artists and organizations. I'm absolutely certain that this will turn into one of the cultural highlights of the year.”

Though not a member of the Performing Arts Coalition, Spy Hop will also present a number of films during the free portion of the day. "We invited Spy Hop to participate as they are epresentative of the many community organizations that also rent space at the Rose,” says Rapier.

The event is sponsored by the Downtown Alliance, NowPlayingUtah.com, and Salt Lake County’s Center for the Arts (the owner and manager of the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center). “We are excited to help showcase the amazing talents of the residents of the Rose Wagner Performing Art Center.  Art is a vital part of downtown and this event will bring diverse performances to audiences across the community,” states Jason Mathis, Executive Director of the Downtown Alliance.

"Salt Lake has such a diverse and talented art and culture community.  It is so exciting to see the energy that the Rose Wagner faculty and its tenants bring to our destination,” Scott Beck, President-CEO of Visit Salt Lake concurs.” NowPlayingUtah.com was started to create a vehicle that could communicate to visitors and locals the scope and scale of our art and cultural offerings, we are very excited to be part of this event celebrating the users of the Rose and are grateful for what they bring to our city.”

"We too are excited to help showcase the amazing talents of the resident companies at the Rose," says Phil Jordan, Salt Lake County's Center for the Arts Division Director. "The Rose Exposed is a great way to introduce - or reintroduce - the community to this vibrant venue."

This epic day is a first of its kind in Salt Lake City, and indeed, is unique nationally. According to Shirley Ririe, co-founder of Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, “It is seldom that six disparate and successful companies share a space and get along so well. Come and see what is so captivating about being in the Rose! The Rose is such a lively place with exciting performances and classes going all day and into the night, every day. We are anxious to share the building and its events with the community ” 

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The Performing Arts Coalition was founded to provide professional guidance in the development of a multi-use performing arts facility in downtown Salt Lake: the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Since the doors opened in 1997, the PAC expanded its role as a champion, advocate and marketer for the companies and activities located in this very successful cultural center. The PAC is evolving yet again with The Rose Exposed, a creative collaborative venture in music, dance and theatre.

Descriptions of free events currently scheduled from 9am - 5pm (others TBA):

• Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation and SB Dance: Mozart’s Piano Sonata No 16 (First Movement) and Swimming by SB Dance | Musician Arthur Schnabel described Mozart's piano sonatas as "too easy for children but too difficult for pianists". Possibly the most famous of the set of sonatas, this piece demands careful treatment to remain fluent and light. Constrained to "swimming motions" of the arms and torso, the dance is also deceivingly simple but achieving the full range of articulation is a butt-kicker, both mentally and physically. Pianist is Kary Billings.

• Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation and Plan-B Theatre Company: Sergei Prokofiev’s Peter and the Wolf: A Musical Tale for Children | Featuring Kary Billings on piano and actor Jay Perry, directed by Christy Summerhays. About Peter and the Wolf: An interactive journey through the classic story of the hungry wolf, the ill-fated duck, the fortunate cat, the fearless little bird, and the brave and cunning Peter.  For children ages 10 and under. 

• Plan-B Theatre Company | Reading of #mormoninchief by Matthew Greene | Featuring Topher Rasmussen, Latoya Rhodes and Sarah Young, directed by Jerry Rapier. About: A Mormon presidential candidate shares his less-than-PC views in a church meeting.  An avid supporter shares them on Twitter and finds himself the center of a national media frenzy. #mormoninchief was originally produced by Michael Holt at the New York International Fringe Festival in August 2012.  Matthew Greene’s Adam & Steve and the Empty Sea will receive its world premiere as part of Plan-B Theatre Company’s 2012/13 season.

• Pygmalion Theatre Company: A full performance of The Mysterious, Happy Life of Brown Bag by Greg Near | A funny, poignant exploration of what it means to be different in a harsh world. It is a modern fable that tells the story of an unusual little boy who wants nothing more than to experience everything around him, including going to first grade and interacting with other children, in spite of his mother's fears and his teacher's misgivings. Featuring Barb Gandy, Georgia Gergersen and Bijan Hosseini.  Directed by Lane Richins.

• Pygmalion Theatre Company: Reading of The Photographer by LL West | Set in 1922 in Alabama, this is a story of art, workplace issues, racial injustice, manipulation and coercion. Directed by Shellie Waters.  Cast TBA.

• Repertory Dance Theatre: Free Classes and Rehearsals | Fun Movement Exploration Classes for Adults, Ring Around the Rose (and RDT performance demystifying dance for kids of all ages), African Class (Fast-moving West African movement to live drumming), an open rehearsal of Merce Cunningham’s How to Pass, Kick, Fall and Run, and a Movement Exploration Class for kids (they’ll run, jump, skip, hop and freeze).

• Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company: Lecture/Demonstrations, Parent/Child Workshop, and Movement Workshops | First, two Lecture/Demonstrations investigating the artistic vehicle of dance–the body, combined with dance-movement, exploring the elements of space, shape, time, and energy. Second, a Parent/Child Workshop, taught by Education Director Gigi Arrington, bringing together families for a one hour class of movement and problem-solving that is both empowering and fun. It is recommended for families with kids 4 and above, but young children are welcome. Finally, a Movement Workshop, taught by Artistic Director Charlotte Boye-Christensen (along with the Ririe-Woodbury Dancers) provides dance exploration for adults with some movement experience and is recommended for anyone above the age of 18.

• SB Dance: Sport Yoga Class | Taught by SB Dance Director Stephen Brown, this class adds an element of agility to yoga. It's like Tai Chi meets yoga and incorporates moves like back shoulder rolls and handstand skipping. Definitely a workout, wear clothes to move in and bring water, a towel, and a yoga mat if you have one. All levels welcome.

• Spy Hop: Short films made by students ages 7 - 19 | Animation Showcase, 15 min: A variety of stop motion, claymation and mixed media animation created by students in our community programs. Even Handed, 5 min: Even Handed tells the story of a straight teenage girl who tries to answer the question posed by another student about her Human Rights Commission sticker:  “If you’re not gay, why should you care?” My Muslim Eyes, 6 min: Laela Omar and Loren Ruiz explore how growing up Muslim in a post 9-11 America has affected young Muslims' perspectives on freedom. Sunday, 6 min:Sunday follows a young refugee student from Africa who dreams of a music career. Trashed, 20 min: A new breed of environmentalists known as "freegans" explain their approach to personal and spiritual wellbeing, all while one group explores the contents of local dumpsters and retrieves a bountiful supply of food, clothing, and sporting goods. River's End, 25 min: Troubles at home convince a twelve-year-old boy to run away with his imaginary friend on a quest for the ocean.

Variety Show Descriptions

• Gina Bachauer: An excerpt of Louis Moreau Gottschalk’s Union, or Paraphrase on the National Airs | A grand piano piece by an American composer incorporating three very American themes: the Star-Spangled Banner, Columbia, and Yankee Doodle, with virtuosic and military flourishes. Featuring Kary Billings.

• Plan-B Theatre Company: An excerpt from Eric(a) by Matthew Ivan Bennett | Eric(a) is the story of a transgender man who’s fallen in love with a woman—as a man—for the first time.  Eric(a) receives its world premiere as part of Plan-B Theatre Company’s 2012/13 season.  Featuirng Teresa Sanderson, directed by Jerry Rapier.

• Pygmalion Theatre Company: A selection from Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill by Lanie Robertson | Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill reveals the great jazz vocalist Billie Holiday in the final days of her career, when she played at Emerson's Bar and Grill.  This show features monologues that frame's Holiday's most famous hits.  Featuring DeeDee Darby-Duffin and Trevor Jerome.

• Repertory Dance Theatre: Selections from Gamut | RDT dancers have used compositional devices employed by Merce Cunningham and many of his followers to develop a performance event called GAMUT. A “gamut” is a collection of movement material which is used to make a piece. Each RDT dancer had the opportunity to develop a movement section.  Some are designed to be performed in a very exact manner and some give the performers choices or tasks to perform on stage. The order of the sections was determined by chance and the music was likewise assembled.  The process is always game-like and is as fun for the dancers to perform as it is for the audience to watch.  

• Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company: Turf  choreographed by Artistic Director Charlotte Boye-Christensen | It is inspired by the idea of territorialism and how men and women approach the idea of space differently. Set to music by White Stripes and The Gotan Project.

• SB Dance: An excerpt from Of Meat and Marrow | SB Dance has a playful style that blends theater, dance, and circus. The company creates 60 minute works that have premiered each June for the past 15 years. This piece is an excerpt from our latest show, Of Meat and Marrow, an evening about corpses.

About Our Sponsors:

The Downtown Alliance is dedicated to building a dynamic and diverse community that is the regional center for culture, commerce, and entertainment. 

NowPlayingUtah.com is the largest comprehensive on-line event calendar, which provides listings of the rich arts and cultural experiences available statewide in Utah. All the artistic disciplines: dance, theater, music, visual art, films are highlighted on NowPlayingUtah, as well as cultural resources such as: historical sites, zoological and botanical parks, sports, cultural festivals and museums of all kinds.

The Center for the Arts, a division of Salt Lake County, owns and operates Abravanel Hall, Capitol Theatre, the Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center and the ArtTix ticketing service.  The Center for the Arts serves citizens of Salt Lake County and beyond in managing historical buildings that bring great arts and culture to our community.

About the Members of the Performing Arts Coalition:

The Gina Bachauer International Piano Foundation provides opportunities for the world’s most outstanding pianists to vie for international prestige, prizes, and artistic recognition through competitions, festivals, and concert series. gina.bachauer.com

Plan-B Theatre Company has developed and produced unique and socially conscious theatre since 1991, with a particular emphasis on new plays by Utah playwrights.  planbtheatre.org

Pygmalion Theatre Company – Smart, Sexy, Sophisticated – gives voice to women through theatre. pygmalionproductions.org

Repertory Dance Theatre: Since 1966, RDT is dedicated to developing awareness, understanding and appreciation of dance past and present by presenting unique concerts, classes and community building activities for all ages.   rdtutah.org

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company is a contemporary dance company that has been shaking up the international dance scene since 1964. Founded by Shirley Ririe and Joan Woodbury, and under the artistic direction of Charlotte Boye-Christensen, the Company commissions works by emerging and seasoned choreographers from around the world, and is recognized as a leading company in dance education. Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company will move you to fall in love with dance; Dance is for everybody. ririewoodbury.com

SB Dance creates adventurous art for curious minds -  some assembly required. sbdance.org

Spy Hop: Spy Hop Productions is a nonprofit youth media arts and education center whose purpose is to empower youth to express their voice and with it create positive change in their lives, their community, and the world.  Our mission is to encourage free expression, self-discovery, critical and inventive thinking, and skilled participation via the big screen, the airwaves, and the web.  Recognized by the White House as one of the top arts and humanities based organizations in the country, Spy Hop was chosen as a finalist for the 2010 National Arts and Humanities Youth Award given by the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities.