It is a Friday afternoon in late April, nearly two months before the dance she is choreographing will make its world premiere, but Yin Yue is already putting the finishing touches on the piece. She will return to New York in a few days, but return to Dallas (this week, in fact) for a final polish. Until then, it’s up to the company with Bruce Wood Dance to rehearse it over and over, the cement the movements into their muscle memory, so that each step is second nature.
I’m curious while attending this rehearsal how it is done not only without costumes or lighting (those come this week), but often, without music. Yue tells me that actually helps the dancers; they know the moves and aren’t distracted by relying on one sense (hearing) in order to know what to do next.
Such is the process for the creation of a world premiere, which Bruce Wood Dance has done a lot of recently — not just from the company members themselves, but commissioned work from choreographers and composers who may never have been to Dallas before. It’s a testament to how the company continues to grow and expand its reach, even four years after the sudden death of its revered founder.
But the legacy of Bruce Wood continues to be a presence on the stage of Moody Performance Hall, where BWD routinely performs, including this Friday and Saturday, when its summer concert Harmony debuts. In addition to Yue’s piece, BWD will perform two pieces from Wood’s repertoire: The Day of Small Things, and Gershwin’s Rhapsody in Blue. It’s how a troupe expands its audience and keeps its patrons at the same time.
— Arnold Wayne Jones
I’ll moderate the post-performance discussion both nights. You can get tickets here.
