History of Orchesis at the University of Alberta
The University of Alberta Orchesis Modern Dance Program has been in existence for almost 45 years. Its history is written into the bodies, minds and spirits of all its participants, and that history continues to be written in the spaces of the rehearsal studios and Myer Horowitz (SUB) theatre.
In 1918, Margaret H'Doubler, a professor of physical education at the University of Wisconsin established the first dance degree program at a US university. She chose Orchesis as the name for a group of students there who wanted the chance to dance more outside of their classes. To Professor H'Doubler, a graceful dancer and exceptional athlete, dance was a vital force in the total development of the individual, and orchesis implied the combined sciences of movement and gesture. Her idea of dance was to foster social improvement, physical well-being, and artistic enrichment, to realize the Greek ideal of balance between the intellectual, the physical and the spiritual. Dance could both express and foster a generous social spirit that could be passed onto other communities. Subsequently, the name Orchesis was used by other North American colleges and universities for their extracurricular dance groups. By the late 1960's, Orchesis groups numbered over 200. It is unknown how many Orchesis groups exist today.
Dorothy Harris, a disciple of H'Doubler, a graduate of the University of Wisconsin, and a professor of dance in the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation at the University of Alberta, founded the U of A Orchesis group in 1964. There was a void in the dance scene in Edmonton, and Dorothy Harris initiated the wave of creative dance in the mid-1960s that has taken on a life of its own in the present vibrant dance community. For Dorothy, Orchesis encompassed all of the ideals of her mentor, but most importantly, Orchesis was to provide students with "a chance to dance" in a performance context. With fellow dance professor Joyce Boorman, Dorothy aimed to stimulate an appreciation and understanding of creative dance in the larger community. It began with PED 405, Introductory Modern Dance, a required third-year course for women, and the only creative dance activity in Edmonton at the time.
The first performance in 1965 was a lecture demonstration in the West Gymnasium. It was a free event to introduce and explain this "strange" mode of dance to the curious audience. Apparently, the weird behaviour of the lady in the dance skirt was captivating --the audience reaction was favourable. Dorothy Harris had started something, and Orchesis took off.
In 1966, Focus on Modern Dance was mounted in Corbett Hall with technical and production assistance of Studio Theatre and the Drama Department. For the 1967 Centennial, Orchesis received a sponsorship of $165 from SUB to costume and advertise Modern Dance Mosaic for the Second Century Fine Arts Festival. There was standing room only. For the record, Jazzy Cats to Henry Mancini's Pink Panther theme was the first Orchesis dance distinguishable from the required PED 405 creative process.
In 1968, creative energies were redirected to a Western provinces dance workshop, which lead to new alliances and networks. The University of Alberta Orchesis and the University of Calgary Dance Club presented joint programs in 1969 and 1970, entitled Dance Montage in Calgary, and Dance Motif in Edmonton. By 1971, the UofA / UofC joint program had ceased, but both groups had established a strong local performing interest to match the new audience support. The 1972 production sold out. Jaqueline Ogg continued to choreograph and contribute as a representative of the Drama Department. In 1973, Orchesis partnered with the Edmonton Youth Orchestra and the Centennial Singers to produce Can We Get There by Candlelight, a Christmas program.
From 1974 to 1976, Orchesis ventured into a new endeavour: Orchesis Improvisational Dance Theatre. It aimed for exploration; the discovery of sensitive interrelationships as experiences, rather than deliberate steps toward choreography and performance. This new experimental direction acknowledged that some explorations could spontaneously evolve into their own forms. These new forms were presented in A Studio Dance Production.
By 1977, Orchesis had returned to the magic of the theatre environment with Dance Motif. Dance Motif's primary objectives are to enhance the learning experience, and provide performance opportunities for students. The performance also strives to educate audiences about dance, and to make dance visible in the campus community. The audience base established by Orchesis activities prepared the local market for professional touring dance companies, and other dancers who began establishing their own companies.
Orchesis has been the foundation for various other activities. The Saturday Jazz Dance program, co-ordinated and taught by Dorothy's daughter, Vanessa Harris, has been offered for the last 30 years. Orchesis director Ruth Bartman, along with other members, formed a local touring group called Moving Images in the early 1980's. bodyvoice improv (1996-1998), a dance improvisation collective, was formed to foster creativity in its members in a trusting, non-threatening environment. In recent years, Orchesis has taken its dances to Camrose, Red Deer and Fort McMurray, participated in dance conferences, and held orientation performances on campus.
The 1988 performance at the Calgary Olympics is a highlight in Orchesis's history. Orchesis performed in the Olympic Arts Festival Danscene, held at the University of Calgary. In conjunction with the Festival, the University of Calgary Dance department hosted Canada's first national conference for post-secondary dance programs, Danscene:University and Colleges. Danscene assembled a showcase of collegial dance participants from across the country, and Orchesis connected to the glory of the ancient Greek games and the spirit of national and international camaraderie.
Orchesis continues today with Dance Motif within the University of Alberta community. Orchesis has established itself as a collaborative effort between academic staff and students with the ongoing support of the Students' Union and the Faculty of Physical Education and Recreation. Orchesis draws its membership from students, staff, alumni, and other members of the community. Many Orchesis members and alumni have established professional careers in dance performance, education and programming.
In the past 45 years, Orchesis has presented the works of over 225 choreographers and performers, including Peggy Baker, Maria Formolo (Formolo Dance), Pamela Grundy, Danny Grossman Dance Company, Dana Luebke, Sun Ergos, Debra Shantz, Mile Zero, Charlene Tarver, Gerry Trentham, Dancemakers, Triangles, Brian Webb (BWDC), Vanessa Harris, Darold Roles, Ron Shuster and Kompany!, Kathy Ochoa, Laura Krewski, Sharon Richardson, Cori Caulfield and Helen Husak. Orchesis has featured other dance organizations as an outreach component of its performance programming, including Alberta Children's Creative Dance Theatre (ACCDT), Edmonton Dance Centre, Edmonton Contemporary Dancers, Edmonton Festival Ballet, GMCC Children's Dance Education Program, performers and choreographers from the GMCC dance program, Victoria High School, and Alberta Ballet School.
The University of Alberta Orchesis Modern Dance Group has thrived for nearly 45 years due to the belief and commitment to dance of its directors, Dorothy Harris, Joyce Boorman, Marsha Padfield, Ruth Bartman, Cathy Black and since 1995, Tamara Bliss. In the coming year 2010, Orchesis celebrates 45 years of Dorothy Harris' recognized vision, Vanessa Harris' 30+ years of teaching and jazz expertise and 25 years of Bryan Sim's music, class accompaniment and technical support. A round of applause is in order for all those, past and present, who have kept the spirit of Orchesis alive through creative vision, membership, commitment and sense of community. The lineage of dance continues to the present--just ask anyone who has had "a chance to dance"!
This history is adapted from an article by Karrie Darichuk, who was a part of Orchesis for over fifteen years. The original article appeared in the 35th anniversary Dance Motif 2000 programme.
