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Show .w ?. t , The arts and people behind the s 71 scenes .Wednesday January 20, 1983 " V '? V ' HV- - - 7 ,Ji 4wa ymr, xm ' iim Lr 5, ' ' ,'V "' irJsf t fSXAM' i '4 1 ? , smr : V i&u t 7 V. v" & . i ' S A- -' , , s'. wy I ,N ' ' 4A, fSi 'vS , V ' : - I 7 :l IS the dance of her teacher Jennifer Lawrence (left in left photo) and Clint Collins were dancers at Whitesides Elementary where Lynn Topovski (above) directed and choreographed program that included dancing feet (below.) Admiring T T ' V'V fo'V 77 ; -- , ' " 7'7-- . - TTJTf tt7Tv,bT,,,ibm ; '.vf,;. A&J..:AvcJrc A f 1 -- , - - I- i v.. j - A j f ,; , J Aw -- w w'i-- . -i , Vr r - 3v 4 ' . - , - A , a THryk!' '. - -. ill FARMINGTON Monica was made to dance. Her arms are long and graceful. Just looking at her face you can see the joy the music brings to her. A big smile fills her face as she is pushed back and ; forth with the rhythm. Monica is a participant in this years Very Special Arts in Davis program. This years theme is Together. Very Special Arts is a program designed for the enrichment of lives of people with disabilities. Through program sponsorship and the Davis School District, many artists in residence have visited the Davis County Schools. Lee Glad, principal of Monte Vista School for the handicapped in Farmington, explained that the program brings art into the lives of the handicapped, but it also enriches the V teachers. It helps our staff. After they see an artist work with the children, they are surprised that the child can accomplish the task. It gives the teacher the confidence to, try similar tasks with the students, he said. A major purpose of the Very Special Arts is to heighten community awareness about the value of arts programming for disabled children and adults. The artist in residence portion of the program provides an opportunity for handicapped students to work directly with skilled artists from the communi- i I I 11 in all of the planned activities should enhance their relationships with the 'Each time I come to Monte Vista my heart goes out to these kids who want to be disabled. Topovski said We have students from the normal classroom working with those in the contained rooms in part of the world. I hope many of the schools I have visited. I seen the mutual trust grow. When that I can help them ; haveextend you your body and must rely on Lynn Walter Topovski, someone else for support, it is a differdance instructor ent perspective for many children, he ; ;? said. A parent workshop was held at the Whitesides Elementary in Layton and reserved for the physically perfect. . Can people in wheelchairs dance? Of families of all students participating in course. These children swayed and the residency were invited to attend. We have made inroads into a mutu, stretched with the music. Each performed to the level of his ability. One al understanding through this experichild totally confined was helped ence. Parents at the parent workshop told me that the children have started through the movements. Joy was apto interact with each other at recess. parent on his face. Before, there were the regular stuAnother hearing impaired child was taken to the tape recorder where he was dents and the contained classroom stu-feeling the music. He watched and; " dents playing separately but now the when it was his turn, he knew what to . parents have noticed that the children do. He seemed to enjoy it as much as are starting to play with each other. the goals of the .the hearing children. . 7 , i VThat was one of Todd, a student at Monte Vista con- - ' program. That is why it is called Tofined to a wheelchair, extended his gether, said Topovski. hands to dance with Topovski, with a Topovski is assistant director for the . , Ririe Woodbury Dance Company and big smile on his face. has been a dance teacher for that com", Yes, anyone can dance. It is one of the most exciting things pany since 1973. He attended Ohio I have done, said Topovski. I come University and is a graduate of the home on a high every day: I am seeing University of Utah. He has worked in the students grow and extend them-- . the AIE programs for the state arts Tyler Larkin joins a pair of dancers in holding a selves. It is an example of trust, he ; councils in many states. Idance position while Beth McCormick holds Holly Mellinger He has choreographed for Springh- said using his hands more than his ty. in their version of a pose. ield Ballet Company, Brigham Young For two weeks in January, Lynn voice to express his feelings. , The body doesnt lie and you can; University,' and the University of Walter Topovski, a renowned dancer Photos by Robert Regan Callahan Story by n with the Ririe Woodbury Dance Com-- . -- tell ifa student understands hat is be- - Northern Colorado. He continues to conduct numerous dance residencies ing taught or if he is paying attention pany, worked with students in eight difIt is a tremendous program," he The regular students are finding out around the country. and this is exciting. ferent schools. said with his eyes sparkling. Each time life from the students about and special He served as a catalyst for the creHe helped the students with a variety, - The theme Together was selected I come stuto Monte Vista my heart goes the are that the student. of He self special ative finding they ..for this years, activities to highlight the discovery of dance activities geared to their '; offer. to these dents to out kids who want to be part have are knowlsomething their They the students between of the expand level of understanding. r , importance helps integration I hope that I can help At Monte Vista, each student was; handicapped students and the commu-- . edge of dance and movement as well as starting to care about each other, he of the world. them. lives. explained. reflect on their everyday participating. Dance is an emotion not nity. The involvement of normal peers . 1 - , . , : , self-creat- ed : ! Jo-An- , ;, .- par-ticul- ar Davis High's JO-AN- takeside CALLAHAN Review correspondent ' dition at the school. It is a good way to combine both mediums for: the enjoyment of the audi-enc- (under the direction of the Weber State performing arts scene shop with the set design by Robert', Hello Dolly KAYSVILLE presented by Davis High Schools Martin. musical productions class last Building costs for good sets run weekend was a pleasant surprise. in the thousands of dollars. Rent-- r In the past few years the proing them from the local colleges ductions have been less than not only helps the high schools grand,, but this year even the ibut also provides monies for the most critical would have to give college to use in their produc; ; the students an A for effort and tions.' The art department at Davis enthusiasm. The production was entertain.High also painted a beautiful ing and, with the beautiful sets, park scene on the back wall of the stage. This has become a tra povely to look at. The sets were e. ; - . t But hats must come off to the students who performed. The cast is what makes a good high school production - the enthusiasm of the performers. When the waiters began the dance at the Harmonia . Gardens, people in the audience started to clap. It was apparent how much work had gone in to this number. Debi Pincock was the wheeling and dealing Dolly Levi. She was delightful, particularly in the opening scene where she stood up in the middle of the audience and, with a voice that could draw attention away from the crowd, began the musical. She did an excellent job. Brent Cole played the wealthy bachelor, Horace Vandergelder, who is out to find a delicate woman. Cole showed a most unusual capacity to make the audience believe that he was actually an older man. The audience had . : ten in high school productions to look twice to reassure them- the orchestra is the weakest link. Not so in this one. Under the direction of the capable Richard excellent. But the young men in the cast Marsden, ihe orchestra was a dereally stole the show. Every time light to listen to. It had a clean they were on stage the audience sound not common in many procould feel their excitement. ductions. The production staff can make Things began to happen. In It takes a Woman they invaded the or break a show. This one had store in Yonkers to sing and sound that produced and lights dance. They looked good and that were exactly on cue. Scenes sang well. changed magically without delay. Another surprising thing about On the whole the production was the musical was the orchestra. Of both entertaining and beautiful. selves he was indeed a high school senior. His makeup was . |