UNO's Moving Company still dancing to success

When modern dance exploded the scene in the early 20th century, the University of Nebraska at Omaha became one of the first institutions to implement the rebellious new dance form.UNO's The Moving Company has been performing for more than 73 years and earned the distinction of being one of the oldest modern dance organizations in the United States.

The group, which was originally named Orchesis, began in 1935 with goals of creating new dances and restaging historical works. Since then, the Moving Company has continued to keep that tradition alive.

Others have begun to take note of the Moving Company's success as well. In January, the dance ensemble won an Omaha Entertainment and Arts Award for "Best Local Dance Production."

"We felt joyous after the win," said Josie Metal-Corbin, director for the Moving Company and UNO professor.

Kara Gillmore, a 10-year veteran dancer within the company, said that after it was announced the group had won, she ran up to Metal-Corbin and said "You Won!" Metal-Corbin responded with "No, we won."

It was the group's collaborative work on "Spared from the Storm," performed at the Joslyn Art Museum, that won them the OEA award. The dance was based off works saved from Hurricane Katrina in the New Orleans Masterpieces exhibit. However, this wasn't the first time Joslyn has asked the Moving Company to perform.

"They keep inviting us back," Metal-Corbin said. "We've had a long relationship with the Joslyn. In 1941, the Moving Company performed for the Joslyn Memorial and only two years before the 'Spared from the Storm' piece, we were asked to be a part of the 'Renaissance to Rococo' exhibit."

Their dance piece for "Spared from the Storm" took almost a semester to prepare, with practice on a weekly basis, Metal-Corbin said. Most of the works in the exhibit were paintings from the 14th century. Mary Waugh-Taylor, the Moving Company's lead instructor and assistant director, Fritha Pengelly and Metal-Corbin all helped choreograph "Spared from the Storm," along with Jeff Curtis, who re-staged two pieces for the program.

Currently, the dance ensemble has about 25 active members ranging in age from 18-to-50-year-olds. Since UNO doesn't offer dance as a major or a minor, the group is open to all university students and members of the Omaha community who have a strong love for dance.

"The Moving Company is strictly an extracurricular activity and this fact is a tribute to the members," Metal-Corbin said. "They aren't getting academic credit for it. It's all driven by personal passion."

The group has traveled around Omaha, collaborating with almost every major institution. They have worked with the Bemis Center, Holland Performing Arts Center, the Henry Doorly Zoo, ARTery, the Omaha Public Library and other academic programs within the UNO system.

"Involving the community is the hallmark of the Moving Company program," said Stephanie Kelley, a UNO alumna who has been dancing with the company for 10 years.

Along with dance, diversity and giving back to the metro community are also two very big parts of the group. In 2001, the dance collaborative wonthe award for "Program of Excellence in Academic Outreach Activity" and offers different types of dancing like African, International Folk and social ballroom.

The Moving Company was even asked to perform "Tableaux Vivants," a piece featuring archival scenes of UNO from the last 100 years, on Feb. 21 as part of the UNO Centennial gala at the Qwest Center. They have also recently performed at Methodist Hospital for Heart Health Day.

Last month, the group was featured in a pictorial exhibit at the UNO Criss Library titled "A Legacy of Dancers: 1935-2008." Members of the company performed "Parson's Piece."

New member Aisha Lomax described the piece as "free movement, yet controlled" and said this production was particularly nerve-wracking, because there wasn't a stage.

The display also provided an opportunity for previous Moving Company members to express their continued support for the group and see changes made over the years.

The Moving Company continues to showcase their love of dance to Omaha and the surrounding communities. On May 15, the group will perform at South High School and in spring 2010, NETV will air a documentary on the group.

But despite the growth and recognition of the Moving Company, its members remain grateful of Metal-Corbin, their fellow performers and choreographers for their devotion to the art of dance.

"We are all so thankful for her work and dedication to us and the Moving Company," Gilmore said of Metal-Corbin. "It keeps us where we love to be - on stage."



Entertainment Editor Andrea Barbe contributed to this report.