Renowned Limón Dance Company to Hold Summer Workshop

Students Will Immerse Themselves in Dance Technique, Repertory and Composition Over Two-Week Session

March 26, 2007

By Gail Matsunaga

Dance students will have a chance to learn from some of the best artists in contemporary dance when the Theatre and Dance Department hosts the Limón West Coast summer workshop, “Dancing as a Creative Act,” June 18-30.

Coordinated by Debra L. Noble, assistant professor of theatre and dance, the two-week offering will include intensive training from master teachers in dance technique, repertory and composition, plus video screenings, panel discussions and individual coaching — all culminating with a performance featuring learned repertory and student choreography.

Cal State Fullerton students, in addition to high school seniors, students from other colleges and professional dancers are being invited to take advantage of the workshop that, says Noble, will inspire participants.

“For our students, it’s like giving them a scholarship,” she says. “To be able to bring that kind of legacy here — Limón has been generous in their efforts to help us.”

Roxane D’Orleans-Juste, artistic associate of the Limón Dance Company, will lead “Dancing as a Creative Act,” along with choreographer Colin Connor, who danced as a soloist with Limón for eight years, and Noble, who has performed with and taught at Limón as a guest artist.

José Limón founded his namesake dance company with Doris Humphrey in 1946. The company’s repertory balances classic works with commissions from contemporary choreographers.

The university’s relationship with Limón also will extend into the classroom. “Concerto Grosso,” a 1945 piece choreographed by Jose Limón, will be presented during the Spring Dance Theatre May 4-12. Former Limón dancer and retired teacher Alice Condodina is currently reconstructing and rehearsing — along with Noble — the dance with 10 dancers, who will alternate in the three roles. This piece will become part of the repertoire of the new CSUF student touring Dance Repertory Company being developed.

A faculty member since 2002, Noble has enjoyed a varied 20-year career in dance. She has worked with a wide range of American choreographers, performed nationally and internationally as a soloist, taught a broad range of dance techniques and related studies, choreographed, and for eight years, directed her own company, In Forward Motion.

Noble’s master’s thesis was on video dance and in that vein, she choreographed and performed in the Dave Matthews Band music video “Crash.” She dances with the American Repertory Dance Company in Los Angeles, and as a guest for several choreographers. Recently, she founded, with Connor, the Connor/Noble Dance Company, which has performed in the United States , Canada, Mexico and Guatemala.

A lifelong dancer, Noble says, “It makes me feel most alive, especially with modern dance. The challenge is always astounding — the combination of mind, body and spirit that you don’t find in other activities.
“What it demands of you, day-in and day-out — it keeps you honest and evolving, learning constantly.”