"Zoom In, Look Out," a groundbreaking duet combining interactive computer technologies and live performance, will highlight "Danstage," the annual dance concert of the Theater and Dance Department at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

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.

The multimedia dance, "Zoom In, Look Out," reveals a woman�s thoughts, fears and fantasies through an array of interactive systems. Joan Karlen, UWSP professor of theatre and dance, dances the part of the woman. Although the action surrounds an individual, the themes of the piece reflect world events, playing with the notion of invading somebody else�s territory.

The stage contains sensors that trigger digital sounds and video images. In addition, the set includes a table and chair fitted with wireless transmitters. The interactive stage gradually brings out a counterpoint conversation with virtual characters and real people. Four guest artists from Buenos Aires, Argentina, will be in residence at UWSP to stage the work.

Edgardo Mercado will perform the duet with Karlen. He plays the role of the second character in the piece, a camera operator. As he advances onto the stage, he modifies her territory with his own personality, questioning her motives, trying to bend her will. Initially an observer, he films and projects augmented live video, which is visually commented upon through live editing and combination with other images.

Guggenheim Fellow Margarita Bali choreographed and directed the piece. She recorded and edited video footage that will be projected during the performance. She will operate the video projector and will do live graphic design during the performance.

Two faculty members of the University of Moron, Argentina, will assist with the performance. Jorge Sad composed the musical score for the dance and will provide musical control and sound design. Francisco Colasanto, who programmed computers for the piece, will control the interactive systems and sound.

During Karlen�s fall 2001 sabbatical she traveled to Argentina to create this piece. She also received a UWSP professional development grant to support the international exchange, which will enable Theater and Dance Department students to learn about interactive technologies in performance. The visiting artists will lead master classes for music composition students, dance and video students. She and Mercado will perform the work again in Buenos Aires in October.

Bali is co-director of the Argentine contemporary dance company Nucleodanza. She has directed dance videos that have been screened at national and international festivals and has won the prestigious Guggenheim Fellow in Dance in1998, and the international Onassis Choreography Award in 2001. She has danced professionally with several companies and toured with Nucleodanza in Europe, the U.S., Asia, Australia and Latin America. The group has performed in over thirty International Dance Festivals.

Since 1972 Bali has choreographed 37 works, most of them for Nucleodanza. She was commissioned to create four works for the Buenos Aires official contemporary company and has choreographed for the Junior Ballet of the Teatro Municipal San Martin.

Sad is a member of the faculty at the University of Moron in Buenos Aires and heads a research project in interactive musical performance. He has received commissions from organizations and individuals in Argentina, Austria and Belgium. His work "Aspavientos" for computer generated tape was awarded the Juan Carlos Paz Prize in 1999, received a Mention at the Pierre Schaeffer contest in Italy and was selected as one of the six finalists at Metamorphoses d� Orphee contest in Belgium in 2000. His compositions have been played in concerts in Argentina, Brazil, Canada, France, Korea, Spain, Venezuela, Uruguay and the U.S.

Karlen specializes in multimedia presentations in dance and video. She performed professionally in New York and regionally before coming to UWSP in 1988. She has twice received UWSP�s Excellence in Teaching Award and has shown her video dance work throughout the U.S. and in Portugal. She coordinates interdisciplinary studies, which includes camera dance and digital video editing, dance composition and ballet and jazz technique.

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