OU to host ‘Building Community,’ a multimedia performance, on Aug. 9-10

Oakland University’s School of Music, Theatre and Dance is partnering with The ARK Initiative to present Building Community — a vibrant dance event bringing together professional guest artists, dance companies, and OU dancers — on Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 in Varner Recital Hall on the OU campus in Rochester, Mich.

“Lauren Anderson, artistic director of The ARK Initiative,  is one of the most prominent African American ballerinas in the U.S. and has performed many of the principal roles from the classical repertory all over the world,” said Dr. Elizabeth Kattner, associate director of the School of Music, Theatre and Dance. “It is an honor for our students to have the opportunity to work with dance artists of this caliber and for Building Community  to be presented at Oakland University.”

The collaborative performance will feature two world premieres. The first was created for OU dancers by former Martha Graham principal dancer, Stephen Rooks, and the second was created for rising New York City Ballet artist, India Bradley, by Caleb Mitchell, a former Houston Ballet Company artist.

In addition, the evening will also feature guest appearances by The Troy Metropolitan Symphony Orchestra, Samantha Pille (ARK Initiative/Soloist,Texas Ballet Theater), David Cummings (ARK Initiative/former Ballet Arkansas company artist), Shannon Benton, (ARK Initiative - Storling Dance Theatre Company artist), Eliana Gibbs, Northville Ballet Theatre, Isabella Hunter, (ARK Initiative), and companies, The Link School of the Arts, Eisenhower Dance Detroit Youth Ensemble, Ballet Edge-Detroit, The Body of PraiZe Dance Factory and Singer/Halle Bond (NYC).

“The Link School has had a relationship with our dance department for quite some time now,” said Gregory Patterson, associate professor and chair of the Dance Department at OU. “I have known the school's director, Betty Mitchell, for years and a few of her students have attended OU's dance program. We are thrilled to be strengthening our relationship with this amazing ballet school."

Performances will take place at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9 and at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 10. Tickets can be purchased online at etix.com.