EUGENE–Glenna Anne Blessing, a University of Oregon master of fine arts degree candidate in dance, will present two performances of her thesis concert at 8 p.m. on Friday and Saturday,
April 20—21, in the Dougherty Dance Theatre at Gerlinger Annex, 1484 University St.

The concert, "Proceedings: An Exploration of Dance Invention, Manipulation and Structure," will include performance of two new works created by Blessing through a seven-month studio process. She explored diverse methods with 10 female UO undergraduate students to create the dances.

"Playful Formalities" developed out of Blessing’s desire to explore a sophisticated manner of intertwining music and movement. Working closely with the score of an inspiring concerto composed by Antonio Vivaldi, Blessing was able to invent a method of movement centered on the feelings she discovered in her physical analysis of the Vivaldi score.

The second dance, "Impromptu Qualities," was created through improvisation and collaboration between the dancers and the choreographer. Inside the choreographic structure Blessing designed, the dancers improvised percussive, vibratory, sustained and swinging actions. She orchestrated the performance outcome from the exploration and revelation of movement discovered in rehearsals.

Admission price for "Proceedings" is $3 for all seats. Tickets will be available at the door 30 minutes prior to each performance. Dougherty Dance Theatre on the third floor of Gerlinger Annex is wheelchair-accessible.

For information, call the UO Department of Dance, (541) 346-3386.

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