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Alwin Nikolais:
 Choreographer, composer, scenic
and costume designer, Alwin Nikolais (1910-1993) blended his
many talents into a single aesthetic force. In a career that
spanned five decades, he left his imprint on every theatrical
medium, from Broadway to television. Whenever there was
something new, his hand was evident. His lighting wonders, his
sound scores, his choreography, and his costumes influenced the
contemporary stage and a generation of choreographers. Mr.
Nikolais was the creator of the internationally acclaimed
Nikolais Dance Theatre and the genius responsible for dozens of
visual masterpieces. His company appeared throughout Europe and
subsequent tours to South America and the Far East. Mr. Nikolais
was renowned as a master teacher, and his pedagogy is taught in
schools and universities throughout the world. He passed away
May 8, 1993 and is buried in Pere La Chaisse cemetery in Paris.
History of Nikolais with
Ririe-Woodbury:
The beginnings of Alwin
Nikolais, Murray Louis and Joan Woodbury's history together
began in 1949, when two eager students, Louis and Woodbury,
attended a summer workshop directed by Hanya Holm, in which Nik
was teaching. His philosophy and creative teaching drew Louis
and Woodbury toward his work and fostered a relationship, which
would last 44 years. Shirley Ririe studied with Alwin Nikolais
in New York in 1952 during which time she was also taken with
the perception, the clarity, and the genius of a man who was
just beginning to form an all encompassing philosophy and
practice of dance. She, Louis and Nikolais became fast friends
at that time. Nik began his company, Nikolais Dance Theatre with
Murray Louis as soloist. Murray was the movement vehicle for the
philosophy, which Nik was beginning to shape of "total
dance theater". Murray emerged as dancer extraordinaire,
and later formed his own company. Joan and Shirley took Nik's
vision for dance to the University of Utah where they were
professors of modern dance for almost 5 decades.
2008-2009
TOURING PROGRAMS:
Works from the Nikolais
repertory including: Crucible, Blank On Blank, Lythic from
Prism, Finale from Liturgies, Imago, Noumenon Mobilus, Pond,
Tensile Involvement, and Mechanical Organ and Tent. (10 dancers) RESIDENCY
ACTIVITIES:
See Ririe-Woodbury
Dance Company Residency Activities
WHAT THE CRITICS
SAY:
"The magic of these
productions can delight theatregoers of all ages. Lovers of
Harry Potter's wizardry will be enchanted by that of Alwin
Nikolais." The New York Times
 "Alwin Nikolais left us in
1993, and his company was kept alive until 1999 by his friend
and collaborator Murray Louis. Today it is Ririe-Woodbury Dance
Company from Salt Lake City (founded and directed by two
dancers-choreographers close to Nikolais) that dedicated an
entire program to the inspired American choreographer. A creator
unique in his genre, he composed the music for his performances,
designed the sets and the costumes, adjusted the lighting, and
painted the slides that are projected on the bodies of the
dancers.
"Since his beginnings at
the Theatre des Champs Elysees in 1968, he performed more than
30 ballets at the Theatre de la Ville with his company. And it
is with the same excitement that we rediscover some pieces
created more than 50 years ago, interpreted by ten young,
enthusiastic dancers, whose arms, through Nikolais's magic,
become swan's necks and whose feet become giraffe's heads, (such
as in "Crucible") with irresistible mirror games.
"Restored by the faithful
Murray Louis and Alberto del Saz, all of his pieces astonish the
same as they did the first day. Le Figaro
"Seven pieces are danced
at the Theatre de la Ville, and his former students pay him
tribute. Alwin Nikolais (1910-1993) is back. Eleven years
after his death, 25 years after his nomination to the head of
the school of the National Center of Contemporary Dance (CNDC),
this American master of the abstract, choreographer, and
teacher, whose pedagogical method still influences many dancers,
is the center of one week of festivities at the Theatre de la
Ville. Seven of his pieces are interpreted by an American
company, the Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company." Le Monde
 "Few, if any, wrinkles;
only those belonging to great works. To the masters whose style
is identifiable in the first seconds. The tribute to Alwin
Nikolais, designed by the Ririe Woodbury Company, is a delight
of an evening. An enchantment composed of seven pieces or
excerpts created by the
choreographer, painter, musician, costume maker, Alwin Nikolais
between 1953 and 1985. We knew that the choreographer Alwin
Nikolais had the sense of imagery. But above the seduction, the
rigorous construction, the almost architectural sense of space,
and the graphic movement, the malice and the humor astonish with
their modernity, sometimes fifty years later. The cleverly
composed program let us catch the facets of the prolific artist,
who created the first multimedia masterpieces." Lyon
Figaro
"After a 12-year absence,
Alwin Nikolais returned to Paris last night, and he couldn't
have found a better vehicle for his resurrection on the stage of
the Theatre de la Ville - Sarah Bernhardt than the Ririe-Woodbury
Dance Company...Judging from the involvement of the Paris
audience - in a rare
occurrence, they didn't wait until the end of the show but
responded with rhythmic clapping even at the intermission
curtain - French audiences want more of this. I hope and pray
the presenters are listening...The Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company
has not only delivered Nikolais intact, but
sends a dispatch, if you will, from a more contemporary American
dance community that is ready to thrill and delight French
Audiences and that, notwithstanding their dour, studious
expressions, this audience is crying out to be engaged." The
Dance Insider
TECHNICAL
INFORMATION:
See
attached Word document
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Alwin
Nikolais was the master of innovative and startling dance. Each
of his works is their own complete multi-media theater of
abstraction for which he designed projections, sound, lighting,
choreography and costumes making the dance a visual and kinetic
art. For the first time in the United States, an existing
dance company has absorbed the collection of a past master to
preserve and present an irreplaceable artistic legacy. Murray Louis of Nikolais/Louis Foundation for Dance selected
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company as the performing company for Alwin
Nikolais: A Celebration Tour, ten years after Nikolais death
during the 2003-2004 season. This effort has served as a
national model for the continuing movement towards preserving
America's artistic heritage.
