A number of Kansas City’s most innovative and creative dance companies will perform at The Lewis and Shirley White Theatre at the Jewish Community Center (The J) on Sunday, March 1, as part of the fourth annual Open Stage Dance + Choreography Festival. These premier companies will feature some of the metro area’s finest dancers. This one-time only performance of original choreography will be at 2 p.m.
Produced by The J’s Arts + Culture Department, Open Stage at The J is a collection of different works by local dance companies and choreographers who are invited to present their work in 10 minutes or less. Each company provides their pieces, dancers and concept; The J provides the theater and an open stage to showcase their art.
The idea for Open Stage was that of Maggie Osgood Nicholls, the director of The J’s Encore School of the Arts.
“The goal of ‘Open Stage at the J’ is to bring our dance community together to present some of the best work available in a supportive environment and to expose new audiences to the talent we have right here in Kansas City,” Nicholls said.
Previous years’ performances have included everything from classical ballet to hip-hop, and Nicholls said this year will not disappoint the audience.
The 14 dance companies/choreographers whose works will be featured include the Wylliams/Henry Contemporary Dance Company that will present “The List.” This piece, choreographed by Christopher Huggins, honors every family that was cleaved apart by the cruelty of the Holocaust. This performance is in collaboration with dance majors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City.
In addition to the Wylliams/Henry company, others performing at Open Stage include: Point B, KC Contemporary Dance, City in Motion Dance Theater, Owen/Cox Dance Group, Suzanne Ryanstrati, Heidi Loubser, E2 Dance Company, Blair Armstrong, R. Vance Baldwin, Rachel Grisi Dugan, The Pendleton Dance Project, Tristian Griffin Dance Company and KC Aerial Arts.
Tickets for Open Stage range from $14 to $30 and may be purchased online at www.thejkc.org/boxoffice or through the box office at 913-327-8054.