Gingrasso creates dance based on oral history
Information on Danstage | Information on "Zoom In, Look Out"

"Is He a Hugger or a Handshaker," a dance inspired by the stories of nine area men, will be presented at Danstage beginning May 2.

Conceived and directed by Susan Hughes Gingrasso, the dance was choreographed by university students. Original music for the dance was composed by John Strassburg.

Performances will take place in Jenkins Theatre of the Fine Arts Center on Friday, May 2, at 8 p.m.; Saturday, May 3, at 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, May 4, at 2 p.m.; and Thursday through Saturday, May 8-10 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets, which cost $11 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $6.50 for youth are available at the University Box Office; Room 103A University Center or by calling (715) 346-4100 or (800) 838-3378.

Inspiration for a dance featuring the stories of men came three years ago, when Gingrasso created a dance based on the oral histories of women. This year, Gingrasso interviewed nine area men. The men talked about their life experiences as being parents, children, spouses and friends. The men have observed the progress of their stories becoming dance vignettes and attended rehearsals at various times.

"These men are all role models for what it means to be a male in our society," Gingrasso said. "Each one has approached life with a desire and a vision to find meaning and importance, not in material things, but in the experience of living and making a difference in their world. They have been willing to redefine their relationships to women and allow strong women into their lives as partners, to redefine their role as fathers to be nurturing and caring and active."

University students, who are members of the cast for Danstage, choreographed the stories into 34 vignettes, with Gingrasso determining the final form of the 30-minute work.

Communication Professor Bill Deering, one of the men Gingrasso interviewed, was so intrigued by the process that he is making a two-hour documentary of the project and final work, which he will submit to documentary film festivals.

Design and technology major, Joanna Falk, designed costumes that help identify locations and characters.

Men�s Oral History Project participants include:

-30-

ky/vc/danstage-Gingrasso