Danstage 2003, a dance concert featuring entertaining and provocative choreography by guest artists and faculty members, will be performed at the University of Wisconsin�Stevens Point beginning Friday through Sunday, May 2-4, and Thursday through Saturday, May 8-10.

This year�s concert includes the world premiere of "Zoom In, Look Out," a dance duet directed and performed by guest artists and featuring high-tech accompaniment.

Performances will take place 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 cost $11 for adults, $10 for senior citizens, $6.50 for youth. Students with a UWSP ID may purchase tickets in advance for $4 or be admitted free the day of the performance if seats remain. A minimal ticketing fee will be charged.

Tickets are available at the University Box Office; Room 103A University Center. Tickets are also available using Visa, Master Card or Discover cards by calling (715) 346-4100 or (800) 838-3378.

Directed by Argentine choreographer Margarita Bali, "Zoom In, Look Out" will be performed by Joan Karlen, professor of theatre and dance, and guest artist Edgardo Mercado, Buenos Aires, Argentina. The duet is a groundbreaking work that combines interactive computer technologies and live performance.

In addition, Jorge Sad and Francisco Colasanto, faculty members at the University of Moron in Argentina, will work backstage during performance.

All of the guest artists will interact with students during the week preceding the performance and hold master classes for dance students.

Karlen also choreographed "Signal," a new work for seven women set to a contemporary score by Canadian composer AE Lab.

Susan Gingrasso, professor and program head of dance, has conceived and directed "Is He a Hugger or a Handshaker," a work that brings the spoken words of nine central Wisconsin men to life through movement. John Strassburg, UWSP dance program accompanist, wrote music to underscore the individual vignettes. The piece captures the creative energy that each man brings to his family, work and life.

James Moore, professor of dance, is reviving a dance for six women on pointe, which he choreographed twenty years ago to Pachelbel�s Canon in D. Moore also is staging "I Wish You A Waltz." The dance, from the Broadway Musical "Ballroom," features eight couples costumed in evening gowns and tails.

Andrew Cao, a UWSP dance and musical theatre major, has choreographed a hip-hop dance, "Why Not?" Rather than attempt to satisfy a particular theme or restricting storyline, this piece simply "happens" without bounds or limitations as to what might come next.

Amanda Sharp, a UWSP dance major, will perform her choreography in "Retrieval," a solo about loss, acceptance and appreciation.

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