Laurie Riccadonna Fine Artist and Educator

Beautiful paintings by an optimist and commited urban educator.

Take a look at this preview of Laurie Riccadonna's upcoming show. It's worth a trip
to Jersey City.

The White Room Choreographed by Jennifer Muller for JM|TW

Gala Pre Launch May 23

Jennifer Muller | The Works focuses their Cedar Lake Season on The White Room, June 22-26. Here is a video link to a description of the development of the piece through the eyes of the dancers and the choreographer. If you care about how we find our way in the world, you will want to see this dance. It begins with the story of a young girl, and it enlarges to include all of us.

AIDA by Washington Irving and Chelsea CTE High School New York City

Erin Woodward Introducing Aida at WIHS last night

Spring arrives, and long after lunch has been multiply videotaped by security cameras and food police cams in the lunch room, students stay after school and come in on the weekends to create the annual high school musical. Yesterday, it was my honor to attend the closing performance of Tim Rice and Elton John's Aida, a story of love and war, directed by Ms. Erin Woodward, produced with the combined efforts of principals, teachers, and students at two New York City High Schools: Washington Irving and Chelsea Technical Education. More than 40 students developed 80 roles and participated in the development this exciting and crowd-pleasing play, including live music, a beautiful modern set, designed in the style of periaktoi and built by Seung Lee's art club, all compelemented by the inspiring classic setting of the Washington Irving Theater.  Taking excellent advantage of the talent pool, Woodward cast two students each as Amneris (Amanda Castro, Samantha Lee Rivera), two as Ramades (Jonathan Catala, Victor Ramirez), and two Aidas (Johaira Nieves, Justine Bishop), and delivered a witty switchover two the second cast during the musical number, "Not Me," at approximately the halfway point in the show.

The production was sophisticated, requiring the services of a fight choreographer (Christian Kelly-Sordelet), vocal coach (Rosemarie Bray), lighting design (Jonathan Deutsch), scenic design (Seung Lee), and costume design (Emily Snyder). Rosemarie Bray was the Producer, and Stephen Rodriguez provided Musical Direction. The set was particularly ingenious, three flats, which were actually painted cubes, allowed for the visual depiction of multiple identities and secrets so crucial to the story. Choreography was developed by Suzanne Lamberg, with additional work by Alejandro Garcia, who also photographed the performance.  Principals Bernardo Ascona (WIHS) and Brian Rosenbloom (Chelsea CTE HS) have lent their generous support to the second year of this collaboration. (Last year: "Grease.")

From the "Director's Note," we learn that "This production was created during 40 days, with students...traveling to an unfamiliar school to work with unfamiliar students and teacher...juggling SAT, AP, and placement tests...coming in during Saturday and Spring Break...battling cast and family illness...singing for the first time and/or...dancing for the first time and/or...acting for the first time and/or...working backstage for the first time. This is an ensemble of funny, frank, and fierce warriors, and I am honored to work with them."

As an interesting sidelight, school ties are strong among this group of collaborators: Sarah Ickan (Guest Drummer) Christian (fight choreographer), and Jackie Deniz Young (technical and lighting assistance) attended the same high school as Woodward, and all carried their Arts Program affiliations forward. Alejandro (additional choreography) is an alum of the Washington Irving Arts Program.

The cast and crew honored Woodward with rousing cheers and applause at the conclusion of the production. This is the teacher you remember. This is the part of school that teaches you what to value. Spend the money better, America. Tear yourself away from TV news depictions of attacks on teachers and students. Be a community again. Go to a high school play and remember what was fine about school.

Curtain Call, AIDA

Director Woodward distributes flowers to the Cast & Musicians

Final touches to the set before the Show Opens

Tune In, Drop Out--The School Lunch Conundrum

So, the USDA has two million dollars to videotape what Texas children are (not) eating for lunch. If intimidation worked to change dietary habits, high school would be a significantly different experience for the student who has poor dietary habits.

Astounding, given the disrepair of much of our educational system, that the government can rub more than two nickles together to make this happen. Who will be minding these films? What will happen to everyone's privacy after they are all posted on the Internet? You have to wonder what human subjects research board dreamed it up. Fasten your seatbelts. It's going to be a bumpy landing. Imagine what else $2M might pay for! Iceberg, anyone?

How would it be if they used those same cameras to tape students performing a play or playing soccer. A little self-esteem goes a lot further than constant nagging or criticism. It's odd that no one seems to know that a simple request to a cafeteria worker could summarize what students leave behind on their trays. Health benefits, anyone?

Thinking of F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Shadow of Dr. T. J. Eckleberg Hovers at Sunset



Scribners, NYC 5/9/2011 Photo by D. S. Greenhut


The twilight of the reading world. The kind of beautiful day in New York that beckons a rereading of The Great Gatsby.

I know it's not West Egg, but there's something about that profile.

The Estate Project: Preserving Communities of Choreographers

Just posted: a new piece on the dance and choreographers' archive,  The Estate Project,  at Suite101, "The Estate Project: Choreographers Dealing with AIDS."

The Estate Project documents the careers of artists with AIDS. Uniquely, the choreographers' listings integrate dancers who support HIV-positive colleagues as well. The section of the site concerning dancers contains the most extensive information. It is a sad lineage from Rudolf Nureyev to (mostly) men in their 30s, many of whom died in the waning days of the twentieth century. There, too, you can find the works of several women choreographers who concerned themselves with making art about the victims of the epidemic, Heidi Latsky, Marguerite Pomerhn Derricks, and Ellen Webb among them.

Across the Ages Dance Project

Cambridge May 1, 2011 - Android Camera

Began documentary filming of rehearsals for Across the Ages Dance Project, produced by Eliza Mallouk and Marcie Mitler in Cambridge. Participants range from age 4 to the eighth decade of their lives. It is a wonderful group project where everyone is teaching everyone else. Choreographers Audra Carabetta, Joan Green, Daniel McCusker, Catherine Wagner, and Melody Ruffin Ward. High Def cinematography by James McCalmont.