Thursday, April 30, 2009

Renowned Guest Choreographers at SCPA

News Release from the San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts, April 30, 2009


Guest Choreographers Creating Dances for San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts'
SPRING DANCE CONCERT running June 4-6, 2009


A principal dancer with the Jose Limon Company, a veteran Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater dancer, and a lead dancer for Broadway's The Lion King are slated to create dance pieces for the final concert scheduled for the 2008-2009 San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA) Performance Season. These three renowned dancers/teachers/choreographers will see their works performed in the SPRING DANCE CONCERT June 4-6, 2009 at 7 p.m. in the Florence Johnson Grand Theatre.

Pablo Fransisco Ruvalcaba has been a principal dancer with the Jose Limon Company for the last 15 years. A native of Tijuana, Mexico, he is a Juilliard School graduate with a BFA in dance who regularly tours internationally, teaching master classes and choreographing. This is Mr. Ruvalcaba's second visit to SCPA as a guest teacher/choreographer in the past three years.

For the past 16 years Christopher Huggins has worked as a freelance artist throughout the world, following his departure from the renowned Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Hailing from Boston, Massachusetts, Mr. Huggins attended the State University of New York at Purchase and the Juilliard School. He has been featured in several Broadway and regional theatre productions and is the recipient of the Ira Aldridge Award for best Choreography from the Black Theatre Alliance In Chicago. Mr. Huggins is presently in Italy performing, as well as currently choreographing for The Ailey School and the New York City Housing Authority.

Ray Mercer is a mainstay of the cast of The Lion King on Broadway, who is also very involved with Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, earning the Gypsy of the Year Award in 2005 when he performed at the Dancers Responding to AIDS event. Born in Omaha, Nebraska, Mr. Mercer studied at the University of New Orleans. When not performing eight shows a week in Disney's longstanding hit, he is pursuing choreographic opportunities with his own dance group. "Choreography for me is like being a painter or a songwriter," he explains. "I've always had a story to tell. Whether it's a lie, or the truth, or a personal experience. It has to come from a real place for me."

The SPRING DANCE CONCERT is the final show of the SCPA 2008-2009 Performance Season. Tickets are $8-$10 for adults and $7-$9 for students, seniors and military. Remember to purchase your tickets early before this concert sells out, online at www.scpa.sandi.net or call the box office at 619/475-8556.

Prior to this event, the Season includes the DRAMA SHOWCASE May 6-8 in the Little Theatre and the very popular SPRING MUSIC CONCERT May 19-21 in the Grand Theatre, which is another expected sell-out.

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Please use the following as a listing for your publication or announcement schedules:


May 19-21. Spring Music Concert, Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). Featured are all levels of choral and instrumental talent, from "up-and-comers" to award-winning ensembles.
Tickets are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students, senior and military. Performances at 7 p.m. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.


June 4-6. Spring Dance Concert, Florence Johnson Grand Theatre, San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts (SCPA), 2425 Dusk Drive (92139). Showcasing SCPA's Dance Ensembles as well as intermediate and new dancers, and pre-majors in a variety of different styles including ballet, tap, jazz, modern, and musical theatre. Tickets are $8-$10 adults, $7-$9 for students, senior and military. Performances at 7 p.m. Box office: (619) 475- 8556 or go to www.scpa.sandi.net. Open to the public.

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For Immediate Release
Contact: David Donadio
Press and Promotions
San Diego School of Creative and Performing Arts
619/470-0555

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