Dance effort explores Holocaust, humanity
PITTSBURGH — As the centerpiece of its 40th anniversary season, Pittsburgh Ballet Theatre presents "Light/The Holocaust & Humanity Project," a work that shows how ballet can transcend the art form to become an agent of change, not only in the individual but also in the world.
The show is set for five performances from Nov. 12 to 15 at the Byham Theater, 101 Sixth St.
The production was originally choreographed for Ballet Austin in 2005 by artistic director Stephen Mills, in response to the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001.
In contemplating the role of the individual in promoting social justice, Mills' thought process led him to an exploration of the Holocaust that included speaking with survivors and scholars and spending three weeks in Eastern Europe, visiting seven concentration camps.
Mills chose to portray one survivor's journey, receiving inspiration and encouragement from Naomi Warren, who survived three concentration camps, including Auschwitz.
The resulting work features choreography that is often stark, athletic and raw, using symbolic movement in place of overt Holocaust references and Nazi imagery.
The five sections include the "Tree of Life/Family" section, introducing two people, perhaps Adam and Eve, and moving to the population of Earth and the building of families and schools; the "Segregation and Marginalization" section, exploring the deployment of ghettos and exploitation of those who are considered "different;" the "Humanity as property/Control through terror" section, showing how the people are no longer viewed as individuals; the "Coping inside the box" section, looking at the relationships of the prisoners in the camps; and finally the "Survival" section, displaying the triumph of the human spirit.
These sections are set to music by Steve Reich, Evelyn Glennie, Michael Gordon, Arvo Part and Philip Glass.
Performances will begin at 7:30 p.m. Nov. 12, at 11 a.m. (student matinee) and 8 p.m. Nov. 13, at 2 and 8 p.m. Nov. 14 and at 2 p.m. Nov. 15.
Tickets range from $20.50 to $88.50. Premium tickets for opening night are available. Call 412-456-6666 or visit the Web site, www.pbt.org.
Some of the events associated with the project include:
• Rauh Jewish Archives Exhibit, Nov. 1 to 30, Heinz History Center
• Maurice Sendak's Production of Brundibar, Nov. 6 to 8, Opera Theater of Pittsburgh
• Carnegie Mellon Philharmonic Concert, Nov. 9, Carnegie Mellon School of Music
• Student Holocaust Museum, Nov. 12 to 15 at the Byham Theater and Nov. 20 to Jan. 15 at Winchester Thurston School Gallery.
