Merce Cunningham Dance Company

WHAT The big Merce Cunningham Dance Company performs in the Dance Center’s tiny theater
WHEN Oct 1–3
WHERE 1306 S Michigan Ave (colum.edu/dance_center)

Last month, the dance and art worlds mourned Merce Cunningham’s death at age 90. But the great choreographer’s company lives on and is keeping its scheduled dates for a teaching residency and performances at the Dance Center at Columbia College in early October. We checked in with Dance Center staff, who are busy preparing for the performances. You won’t see these folks onstage, but without them, the show would not go on.

Kevin Rechner, technical director
“Trying to get this big company to squeeze into the Dance Center is a challenge. The extra lighting we can accommodate, [but] most of their backdrops are created for a larger theater. The Dance Center doesn’t have fly space [a very high ceiling, used to raise and lower backdrops via a pulley], so if a backdrop needs to be changed between pieces, [technical staff] will come on stage and take it down in front of the audience.”

Phil Reynolds, executive director
“The company doesn’t usually perform in a space as small as our theater. In February, a member of [Cunningham’s] production team did a walk-through of our space to see if it was even workable. We discussed what to do about dressing rooms and placement of the musicians during the performance. I think the proximity to the thoroughbred dancers in our 272-seat space is going to be something really special.”

Mary Carpenter Rechner, program coordinator for the professional presenting season
“I work on contracts, logistics and itineraries. I need to make sure everyone arrives, leaves and has a place to sleep. Not just the performers, but the whole support staff as well. Some people want to have a bathtub or access to Wi-Fi [in their hotel room]; some don’t care. I’ve learned the entire residency is easier if I greet the company at the airport.”

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