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panied by recorded music, while others will have narrative.
"I provide an opportunity for Jews to learn about them-
selves as Jews through kinetic-spatial energy," explains
Tucker, who became interested in this pursuit as a teen-
he Avodah Dance Ensemble is not exactly poet-
ager at a Jewish summer camp. "I think the same princi-
ry in motion. More aptly, the four-member
ples apply to non-Jewish members of the audience, and
troupe is Torah — and other religious texts —
when we deal with emotions through movement, there's a
in motion.
chance for more commonality."
That's the purpose of choreographer and teacher
Tucker's troupe has changed performers over the years and
JoAnne Tucker, who founded the group some 25 years ago
includes dancers of varying ethnic backgrounds.
and returns to Michigan April 9 and 10 for a
Their dance style has remained modern.
concert and two workshops.
The Avoda h Dance
"The women in the company are outstanding
Dance Recital: Revisiting Judaism Through the Ensemble: Tucker's
troupe has changed
technicians in their early 20s," says Tucker, who
Art of Dance will be performed 2:30 -4 p.m.
pe ormers over the
hopes to extend their full-time January-April
Sunday, April 9, at Congregation Beth Ahm in
years and i ncludes
programming. "It's important for me to find
West Bloomfield. "A Children's Dance
dancers of varying
good people comfortable with the material."
Workshop," for youngsters up to eighth grade,
ethnic bac kgrounds.
The troupe includes Ilana Shtayer, who grew
will be held 9:30-11 a.m. on the day of the
up in a kibbutz and belonged to an Israeli
recital, and "A Dance Workshop Featuring
dance company, as well as Tanya Alexander, who came
JoAnne Tucker" is scheduled at 2 p.m. Monday, April 10,
with a U.S. theater background, touring with The Wiz and
at Wayne State University
recording artists. Kate Ashby, who trained at the London
"I want to increase Jewish identity and build bridges," says
Contemporary Dance School and with the Paul Taylor
Tucker, who has planned a six-number concert for Michigan.
organization, toured with The Magic Flute. Laureve
"Jewish ritual is filled with choreography --- such as the cir-
Blackstone, whose parents teach dance, also was a student
cling of hands when lighting candles as well as bending and
of Paul Taylor and graduated from New York University
bowing while praying — and there's a lot of physical cues in
with a concentration in religion and anthropology.
the text. We will be stepping inside the passages."
"The process of midrash is a springboard for me," says
Tucker's troupe, whose name translates to "worship" or
Tucker, whose doctoral dissertation covered the use of cre-
"work of the priest," will be performing pieces that go
ative movement and creative dramatics in early education.
from expressing biblical stories to communicating the cele-
"We are blessed in the Jewish religion to have a model of
bration of Israel's 50th year. Some segments will be accom-

SUZANNE CHESSLER
Special to the Jewish News

UPTOWN PARTHENON
4301 Orchard Lake Rd.
West Bloomfield
(248) 538-6000

4711

JoAnne Tucker creates modern dances
based on Jewish traditions.

MI