WINSTON-SALEM – A number of guest artists are visiting the North Carolina School of the Arts during “Intensive Arts,” which began Nov. 29 and runs through Dec. 10.  

“Intensive Arts” is the two-week period (following the Thanksgiving holiday and preceding the winter break) devoted to focused arts studies. Traditionally, workshops, master classes and interdisciplinary endeavors substitute for the regular class schedule.  

This year, special guest teachers include: 

In the School of Dance:

·        Daniel Charon, a graduate of the North Carolina School of the Arts, has been a member of Doug Varone and Dancers since 1999
      and previously danced with the José Limón Dance Company for three years.

·        Annemarie Gero, a graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, is a member of the Cai Flamenco Spanish Dance Company.
      Her flamenco dance training includes studies at Carmen de las Cuevas (Grenada, Spain) and with Carlota Santana. 

·        Christopher Rudd, a native of Jamaica, began dancing at the age of 9 at Miami Conservatory, the school of the Miami Ballet. At 11, he was the first black person to dance the lead role in a professional “Nutcracker.” Because of this, ABC’s Peter Jennings named him “Person of the Week” in 1991. He graduated from the New World School of the Arts in Miami and has danced since 1993 with companies including Dance Theatre of Harlem and Maximum Dance Company. 

·        Wesley L. Williams, Jr., a native of Durham, is a dancer/choreographer/teacher of contemporary African dance and traditional West African dance. He trained with Chuck Davis and was a member of the African American Dance Ensemble based in Durham. In 1993, he began exploring the idea of starting his own dance company, and today his company, the Wesley Williams Urban Dance Theatre, is celebrating its 12th year in the world of dance theatre.

 In the School of Design and Production:

·        Bill Brewer of the University of Southern Florida, who will discuss specialized dye and paint techniques for costumes.

·        David Burke from Santa Fe Opera, who will discuss the costume designer in the “real world.”

·        Alumna Jamie Call-Blankinship, who will discuss issues for performing arts managers.

·        David D’Anjou and Dan McGuire, who will give a presentation on Cirque du Soleil.

·        Jim Guy of Milwaukee Repertory Theatre, who will give a workshop on theatrical firearms for prop artisans and stage managers.

·        Mike Minione of North Shore Music Theatre, who will discuss mechanical solutions for design ideas with technical directors.

·        Alumni Judy Schoenfeld of the Spoleto Festival, Alaric Hahn of Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre, and Johnny Motoc of Opera Carolina, who will participate in a panel discussion on stage management.

 In the School of Drama:

·        Alan Berryhill, who will conduct workshops in ballroom dancing.

·        Drama alumnus Dikki Ellis, who will teach movement and circus techniques. A native of Mt. Airy, Ellis has worked with the Big Apple Circus in New York.

·        NCSA drama alumni Ashley Gates, John Langs and Jeremy Skidmore, all graduates of Dean Gerald Freedman’s directing program. They are beginning work on plays they will direct this winter at NCSA.

·        Chuck Hudson, who will conduct period and style workshops. An actor, director, fight director and movement specialist, Hudson is one of only three Americans to have received a diploma from the Marcel Marceau International School of Mimedrama in Paris.

·        NCSA School of Dance alumnus Kelly Parsley, who will teach a movement workshop.

 In the School of Filmmaking:

·        Rebecca Green, who earned her B.F.A. in producing from the North Carolina School of the Arts School of Filmmaking in 2001, works as the story editor in the Production & Development Department at Lions Gate Entertainment, where she is responsible for developing and packaging projects for production. She is currently spearheading the theatrical release of the Japanese horror sensation JU-ON: THE GRUDGE.

 In the School of Music:

·        Alumnus Michael McCraw, a leading expert in the field of early music, has just been appointed director of the early music institute at the University of Indiana. He is coaching chamber music and giving a bassoon master class.

·        Alumnus Carlos Rodriguez, piano, will give master classes. A native of Venezuela, he has performed as soloist and chamber musician throughout the United States and in Europe, Central America, and South America.

·        Opera legend Virginia Zeani, soprano, will give a master class. Born in Romania, Zeani reigned as prima donna assoluta at the Teatro dell'Opera in Rome for 25 years

 For more information, or to schedule an interview, please contact Marla Carpenter at 336-770-3337 in the public relations office at NCSA.

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