Dangerous Lorraines

Something from Sac State! :

Wynn and her California State University, Sacramento, colleague Lorelei Bayne are co-artistic directors of the Dangerous Lorraines Dance Theater, which will open its Sacramento premiere season tonight at the Guild Theater in Oak Park.

Wynn explained the name: "Lorraine is actually my middle name," she said in a recent telephone interview from her home, where she was off sick from teaching duties. "When I was first forming the group, which was in Texas, I was looking to embrace all the styles of choreography I have.

...Wynn's dance background is varied.

"I kind of come from strict ballet technique," she said, but she also has studied the techniques of Martha Graham (a pioneer of modern dance) and Lester Horton (who incorporated American Indian and jazz elements) and practiced (José) Limón-style Release technique (minimizing tension through the joints and muscles to create an ease of movement).

She is interested in dance theater – "not musical theater," she emphasized – and said she is "inspired by Della Davidson (of the University of California, Davis) and her Physical Sideshow Theater, and very much by Dr. (Linda) Goodrich (a disciple of Katherine Dunham) here at CSUS."

Bayne teaches jazz and modern dance and choreography at Sac State, coming at the Lorraines project from a slightly different perspective. Her choreography has been called "thoughtful and beautifully awkward."

Her contribution to this weekend's program is "Everything Old Is New Again," set to the music of Kurt Weill. The work is separated into several sections to be performed throughout the evening, all related to (and relating) how, in an effort to continue functioning, society disconnects itself from tragic events.

...Wynn and Bayne will dance together in "Black/White." The 11-member troupe will perform "Retro/Intro," a 20-minute, slow-motion show opener that will begin before the 8 p.m. opening of the performances to "serve as a background and company introduction for early-arriving audience members," Wynn said.

For two months in the fall of 2007, I took a modern class taught by Lorelei Bayne at Capitol Ballet Center. Thoughtful and beautiful dancing, yes, especially as rendered by the Nutcracker teenagers there, but awkward was my special domain.

Should be an interesting show!