Press Conference

April 22, 2015

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:

Kaitlyn King
Public Relations Director
985-237-0890
kking39@lsu.edu

Good morning everyone, thank you for being here today. My name is Kaitlyn King. Im
the Public Relations Director for the LSU Theatre Department. Today Ill discuss the Spring
Celebration of Movement, featuring the LSU Dance Ensemble.
The performance is Saturday, May 2, at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 3, at 2 p.m. in the
Claude L. Shaver Theater, located in the Music & Dramatic Arts Building.
The showcase unites talented students from all different artistic fields. The dancers,
students and faculty have worked tirelessly to create a professional and artistic performance.
Im happy to have on stage with me Sandra Parks, head of the dance program. Shell explain the
message of her pieces, her inspiration and the performances development.
So Ill let Sandra take it from here.
Thank you Kaitlyn for that introduction! Good morning! Im Sandra Parks and Im the
head of the dance program here at LSU. I am also an associate professor. I teach the Dance
Ensemble technique class and several other classes within the dance minor. As the head of dance
program, I organize the dance concert every semester. This semester, we are very fortunate to
combine our performance with the LSU physical theatre department and to collaborate with the
lsu school of music and LSUs interior design studios.
I choreographed two pieces for the concert.

The first piece Passage to you is a contemporary pointe piece inspired by lanterns and
their spiritual significance in Asian culture. Where Im from. We release paper lanterns into the
sky to fly away on the wind toward our ancestors. Through this ceremony, we communicate with
lost loved ones. In Taiwan, most people pray to their ancestors rather than specific spirit or god.
We greatly value the wisdom that comes from experience and age.
This past year I lost my grandmother and grandfather. This piece is my way to
communicate and reconnect with them through mind and spirit.
I am so grateful to collaborate with LSUs interior design studios, mentored by Associate
Professor Jun Zou and Instructor John Campbell. The students built lanterns for the stage set.
My second piece, bigger piece, Congo Square is inspired by the cultures of Congo
Square in New Orleans. Before I accepted this position at LSU, I researched Louisiana culture
and was fascinated with Congo Square in particular. The cultural significance of Congo Square
dates back to colonial days, when slaves would gather in Congo Square to set up a market place.
Singing, drumming and dancing were always part of the festivities. The piece created an
opportunity to explore new rhythms and an unfamiliar style of movement. The dancers are
mostly trained in ballet and modern dance, so the piece definitely challenged them. Once again, I
have the interior design students to thank for creating the beautiful scenery and backdrop. LSU
School of Music Professor Brett Dietz composed the music in a traditional African style.
We have a fantastic show for you all. I hope to you come out to support these young,
local artists.
Thank you, Sandra.

Tickets for the Spring Concert are on sale now. Prices range from $12 -$18. Purchase
tickets at the LSU Box Office in the Music and Dramatic Arts Building. Contact the box office
by calling 225-578-3527. Tickets can also be purchased by visiting www.theatre.lsu.edu.
Doors open an hour before each show, and tickets will also be on sale at the door.
Thank you so much for being here today! Now Ill open the floor up to questions.