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PRESS RELEASEJune 19, 2007Wayne Burritt Dance Presents Cutting Edge Modern Dance at the Diana Wortham TheatreAsheville, North Carolina -- June 19, 2007 -- Wayne Burritt Dance -- a brand new, cutting edge modern dance company based in Asheville, North Carolina -- will present its inaugural dance season at the Diana Wortham Theatre, August 31, 2007 and September 1, 2007. The shows -- self-titled “Wayne Burritt Dance” -- are at 8:00 pm and ticket prices are $15, with a $3 discount for students and seniors. In addition, the company will present a FREE preview concert of Wayne Burritt Dance at the Diana Wortham Theatre on August 15, 2007 at 8pm. Tickets for all shows are available at the Diana Wortham Theatre by calling 828-257-4530 or by visiting www.dwtheatre.com. Wayne Burritt Dance will present four Asheville-area premieres by veteran dance-maker Wayne Burritt. Recently relocated to Asheville, North Carolina, Wayne creates dances that are mesmerizing, sensual, and technically demanding. His company -- which includes six professional dancers -- brings to the stage a fearless, exquisite quality that promises to delight audiences of all ages and dance experience. More information is available at www.wayneburrittdance.com. Over his dance career -- which has spanned 26 years -- Wayne has created 24 dance works in a variety of styles, from modern to contemporary ballet to classical ballet. His musical choices span a range of styles as well, from classical to jazz to electronic-influenced music. This concert will not only be enjoyable to watch, but a pleasure to listen to as well. Lighting Designer for Wayne Burritt Dance will be Erik McDaniel, Production Coordinator and Lighting Designer for Diana Wortham Theatre. Mr. McDaniel’s lighting designs combine elegance, dynamic flavor, and a cutting-edge quality. Costumes for Wayne Burritt Dance will be executed and managed by dance costume veteran Star McGinnis. And the entire Wayne Burritt Dance Production will be managed by theatre and dance production stand-out Connie Silver. About the DancesFor the company’s first season, Wayne is creating a brand new work as well as re-setting three existing works. The new work -- entitled “Trio” -- is made for three women and is set to a collage of music including Debussy, Sir William Walton, and Thievery Corporation. The dance traces the relationship that unfolds between the three dancers as they work their way through a variety of solos, duets, and group pieces. Also on the bill will be Wayne’s “Water,” a work for three women and one man. Originally premiered in 1996, the work -- which has won awards from both the Florida Dance Festival and the Duncan Theatre -- explores how dancers replenish and nourish one another in a fluid environment. Arvo Pärt’s hauntingly beautiful score provides the backdrop for the piece. Originally premiered in 1996, Wayne Burritt Dance will reset “Five Women” for its inaugural concert. The contemporary ballet piece for five women gives the audience a backstage look at a how dancers go about their daily class routine. But the dance turns that theme on its head. And the lyrical, ambient score by John Cage is breath-taking. Rounding out the program will be Wayne Burritt’s “Archaic,” a dance for two women set to music by Jan Garbarek. Originally made in 1997, the dance examines the feelings of love, safety, and sensuality that are common among all of us. About Wayne Burritt DanceWayne Burritt Dance -- which is based in Asheville, North Carolina -- produces a breath-taking mixture of modern dance and ballet that delights, fascinates, and inspires. With choreography by veteran dance-maker Wayne Burritt, the company features professional dancers with searing stage presences, unbounded technique, and sparkling personalities. Wayne Burritt Dance is not your ordinary cookie-cutter dance company. So when you come and watch, hold on to your seat belts. More information is available at www.wayneburrittdance.com. About Wayne BurrittWayne began training at age 12 in Miami, Florida as a ballroom dancer and eventually earned a scholarship to Southern Ballet Theatre (SBT) in Orlando, Florida. For SBT he danced a variety of classical and modern roles as well as serving as company manager and financial controller. In 1985 he married his wife Debi and enrolled in the School of San Francisco Ballet, continuing his studies with some of the finest teachers in the country. Wayne also took time to earn his MBA in Arts Management in 1987. He moved to Naples, Florida shortly thereafter and joined Naples Ballet Theatre, where artistic director Kim Salgat created a number of roles for him in contemporary and classical works. In 1991, Wayne joined the critically acclaimed Demetrius Klein Dance Company and rose to the position of assistant artistic director before retiring from the stage in 1993. In 1994 Wayne formed Florida Dance Conservatory (FDC), where he served as artistic director, resident choreographer, and general manager. From 1994 to 1996, FDC provided an opportunity for numerous choreographers and dancers to flourish. During his tenure, Wayne choreographed 15 ballets, managed a professional school and company, and wrote his ballet syllabus that has been applauded by numerous teachers in the classical ballet field. In the spring of 1997 his work Water was presented at the 1997 Florida Dance Festival and was critically acclaimed. Also in 1997, he joined Dance 10 studio as Ballet Department chair and director of the Pre-professional Ballet Program. During his tenure with Dance 10, he directed and choreographed Coppelia, Giselle, and The Nutcracker. In 1998, Wayne was appointed Ballet Master and Artistic Director for Vero Beach Ballet, where he was responsible for the entire school’s curriculum and classes, as well as choreographing his first Sleeping Beauty. During the summer of 1998 Florida Dance Theatre of Lakeland, Florida commissioned Paradise, a contemporary ballet made to the music of Shirley Horn. Also in 1998, Wayne helped found Millennium Dance Syndicate (MDS), a professional modern dance company in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. The company performed extensively at some of the most visible dance venues throughout Florida, including Bailey Concert Hall, Fort Lauderdale; New World School of the Arts, Miami; the Willow Theatre, Boca Raton; and the University Center for the Performing Arts, Davie. For MDS, Wayne premiered numerous new works including Illumination, a 2003 multimedia work for which Wayne provided the dances, lighting design, costume design, and film direction and editing. In addition, Wayne also managed all financial aspects of MDS operations until 2005. In addition to choreographing over 23 commissioned works since 1994, Wayne is a dedicated ballet teacher with a keen sense of what makes a dancer successful. His students have been placed in some of most prestigious schools, academies, and universities in the U.S., including American Ballet Theatre School, Ailey School, Boston Ballet School, Houston Ballet Academy, Indiana University Ballet Program, Miami City Ballet School, North Carolina School of the Arts, NYU/Tisch School of the Arts, Paul Taylor School, South Carolina Governor’s School of the Arts, University of the Arts Philadelphia, and Virginia School of the Arts. Wayne has successfully completed the two-year Professional Ballet Teacher Training with nationally acclaimed pedagogue Ruth C. Petrinovic -- “the ballet teacher’s teacher.” He is also a certified ballet teacher by Florida Dance Masters and holds an MBA in Arts Management from Golden Gate University and a BA in English and Philosophy from Indiana University. Currently, Wayne is ballet master at Angie’s Dance Academy in Clyde, North Carolina as well as Artistic Director of Wayne Burritt Dance, a cutting-edge modern dance and contemporary ballet company in Asheville, North Carolina. Wayne makes his home in Candler, North Carolina with his wife Debi, and their cat Bear Bear. Media ContactsConnie Silver Wayne Burritt ### |
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