A Bay Area Dance Resource

ODC Theater Previews New Performing Arts Center, Aims for Community Ties

(Aug. 19, 2010) A delighted ODC co-founder Brenda Way led local media on a guided tour of the $20 million performing arts facility she has championed. The nearly-completed, 36,000 square foot facility houses a 170-seat theater, a 50-seat studio stage, three rehearsal and class studios, a lobby and visual arts gallery, offices and media lab, a cafe, and community help desk.

Community integration is a key goal of ODC's extended presence in the Mission district, to bring dance into the awareness of the city's residents. Way explained that the cafe, for example, will extend to the sidewalk, providing a gateway for local residents and passers-by to come in and explore the world of performing arts.

The new building at 3153 Seventeenth Street will serve in addition to the existing ODC Dance Commons at 351 Shotwell Street. Originally a livery stable built circa 1905, the reconstruction was designed by the San Francisco architectural firm of Mark Cavagnero Associates. While the architects retained the traditional brick facade, an inviting contemporary feeling is undeniable. The studio walls have been opened up with floor-to-ceiling windows, bringing in daylight and views of the city. As Cavagnero explained, natural lighting and ventilation are some of the design's environmental touches.

ODC Theater will launch the new building with a grand re-opening celebration on September 30th, including a gala dinner and the world premiere of the site-specific work Architecture of Light. Directed by Brenda Way with the collaboration of founding members KT Nelson and Kimi Okada, the new work includes guest dance artists and ODC's dancers in inviting the audience to interact with the facility.

Amanda Schull in New Ballet Movie

Former San Francisco Ballet Corps de Ballet dancer Amanda Schull is appearing in a new ballet film, Mao's Last Dancer. While a Corps dancer Schull achieved fame as the star of the dance movie Center Stage in 2000. Mao's Last Dancer is the story of an impoverished boy from China who achieves international stardom as a world-class dancer. The movie stars Chi Cao, Principal of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, in his screen debut. Schull is cast in the role of Elizabeth.

The film showcases ballet sequences by Australian choreographer Graeme Murphy, formerly of Sydney Dance Company and who has been commisioned by many international ballet companies.

Directed by Bruce Beresford, Mao's Last Dancer stars veteran actors Joan Chen and Kyle MacLachlan. It opens in select theaters in Palo Alto, San Francisco, and San Jose on August 20th.

Western Ballet Auditions for Underprivileged Children Scholarship

Western Ballet welcomes girls 6-10 years old and boys 6-12 years old to audition for the Nina Novak Ballet Scholarships for underprivileged children. The audition will identify young children who display traits extremely promising for ballet. Scholarship recipients will enter Western Ballet's outstanding children's and pre-professional programs. Attire: Shorts to mid-thigh + tank top. Scholarship requirements: proof of family income and a signed parental commitment to bring the child to classes. Saturday, August 28, 2010 at 1-3 PM. Western Ballet Company & School, 914 N. Rengstorff Ave., Unit A, Mountain View, CA 94043. Free. 650.968.4455. www.westernballet.org/youthprogram/novak_scholarships.html

Selected Interviews

• Edward Stegge, dancer, April 29, 2010
• Frederick Wiseman, film director, December 8, 2009
• Robert Heindel, painter, January 2003
• Jamie Bell, actor, and Stephen Daldry, film director, September 15, 2000