renewing the spirit through movement
by heather l. jones

In many cultures, the mountains represent spiritual power, a symbol of strength, a meeting place between heaven and earth. Perhaps that is what inspires people to live in the mountains of Western North Carolina. It certainly has been an inspirational environment for Kathy Meyers to explore her art. A professional dancer, choreographer and dance educator for the past 20 years, Kathy moved to Asheville four years ago and quickly discovered a very welcoming and supportive dance community. Working as a member of the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theater (ACDT), and subsequently as an adjunct instructor at the University of North Carolina Dance Department, she has been able to create several well-received works and now takes on a new challenge: Passages, an original dance theatre and performance art concert that will be presented in the BeBe Theatre on October 17th, 18th, and 19th.

Conceived and directed by Ms. Meyers, the performance will include works that explore the destinations and detours on the journey through life; the innocence of childhood, adolescence and self-image, battles with inner demons, marriage and divorce, the frenetic pace of life, and remembrance of loved ones. Although the subject matter is very personal for her, Kathy feels everyone will be able to relate to the issues.The concert is presented in memory of Ms. Meyers’ parents and honors them with the premiere of “Remembrance”. “This new work reveals what we discover about loved ones after they are gone and incorporates excerpts from my father’s WW II journal as a B-17 radio man, his poetry and my parents’ love letters.

“I kept finding treasures about them, things I didn’t know, and the ideas began...”Ideas for the concert have been dancing around in Ms Meyers head ever since the recent loss of both her parents to cancer. Directors of the Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre—Susan and Giles Collard—were interested in Kathy’s ideas and suggested she apply for the ACDT Production Grant to underwrite the project. This grant is an opportunity for company members to learn the process of producing their own work and provides the opportunity for growth as an artist.

“Susan and Giles have given me an enormous amount of support over the past several years, both personally and professionally. They are amazing people who know how to bring dance to the entire community.” The Asheville Contemporary Dance Theatre has been a contributor to the mountain arts scene since 1979 and has “a diverse repertory that reflects both traditional and experimental forms of modern dance.

”Working at UNCA over the past year has expanded Kathy’s teaching experience and given her a great respect for her students and for Connie Schrader, the head of the dance program. Kathy felt honored that several of the UNCA dancers, as well as professionals from the community and ACDT were interested in joining the collaborative creative process under her direction. “It’s wonderful to work with such talented artists.

Every dancer is so unique and I try to incorporate their individuality into my concepts while finding a sense of unity to the piece,” explains Kathy, “Ideas evolve as we work together and with the help of video I can later review, edit and reflect without using valuable rehearsal time.”

Finding rehearsal time and creative inspiration on a deadline can be a challenge, but even the issues that arise can become content for a piece of work. “Rat Race” deals with the crazy pace of our lives as we try to succeed. This work along with “The Ideal Homemaker” and “Sylph Image” all express the dark comedy found in the absurdities of societal expectations. Other works will include live music and voice as well as slide and video projection.

“ I am using some of my family’s old home movies; I not only like the images from the 60’s, but also the rhythm created by the old reel to reel film.” Ms Meyers further explains that her children have always been around her work and will participate in the concert, dancing and playing classical guitar. “I am trying some multi-media work and am very excited about the chance to experiment with so many kinds of movement, music, text, and props and set.

“All the pieces in the show come from place in me that needs to express myself through movement. We need rituals to deal with the passages of our lives, so that we can move through, celebrate and/or grieve, then learn from the experience. I feel our culture doesn’t encourage that process enough, if at all. The challenges presented in my life have made me realize that for me, healing or rejoicing come with dance. Spiritually I feel renewed when I can express myself through movement. Passages invites the audience to share in the cathartic experience of movement as an expression of the joys and sorrows of life.”

Ms Meyers feels fortunate to have such a great support system in the mountains of Asheville and realizes that without it she would not be able to follow her inspiration. As thanks for that, the Passages performance will benefit the community by donating a portion of the ticket sales to Mountain Area Hospice and Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity. “I realize it will be small donation, but I think it is important to raise awareness of these two great organizations.”

Passages will be held on October 17th and 18th at 8:00 PM, and October 19th at 3:00 PM. Tickets are $12.00 general admission and $6.00 for students. Reservations are strongly recommended. For more information and/or reservation you may call the BeBe Theatre, 20 Commerce Street, at 828-254-2621.

Local writer Heather L. Jones has written for the internationally published magazine, The New Art Examiner, as well as for Mountain Xpress and the Asheville Citizen Times. She also writes plays, one of which, Where There is Darkness, was staged at the BeBe Theatre last year. She lives in Asheville with her two children and tutors writing at the UNCA writing center.