Mark Morris Dance Group 2018 Engagement and Performances

In March 2018, Tryon Festival Theatre is again the site for the stunning artistry of the Mark Morris Dance Group. As the company returns to its Midwest home, Central Illinois audiences can experience a brilliant, evening-length love story from Middle-Eastern mythology entitled Layla and Majnun. The story is well-known across many Middle-Eastern and sub-continental cultures and will be staged in an operatic style with 16 dancers, revered Azerbaijan singers Alim Qasimov and Fargana Qasimov, and the Silk Road Ensemble.

In addition to its evocative, musical, and brazenly beautiful performances, a hallmark of each Mark Morris Dance Group residency is exceptional public engagement work. Between Monday, March 5 and Saturday, March 10, the company will conduct nearly 40 different workshops, masterclasses, and events to include a concert at the Levis Faculty Center featuring the music of Iran and Azerbaijan; guest teaching sessions for Dance at Illinois, Lyric Theatre @ Illinois, Illinois Theatre, and the Champaign Park District; Lorado Taft Lectureship on Art Fund/College of Fine & Applied Arts-sponsored pre-show conversations; special visits to Cunningham Children’s Home, Clark-Lindsey Village, and Lincoln’s ChalleNGe; the continuation of the MMDG Shadow Program for aspiring professional dancers; and two free group fitness opportunities for the community.

The public is invited to the ticketed performances on Thursday, March 8 and Friday, March 9 and two free fitness classes that will both take place at 11am on Saturday, March 10 (Get Fit with Mark Morris Dance Group; and Family Fun: Dance with Mark Morris Dance Group).