Dance Artist to Perform with UT Dallas Group

UT Dallas welcomes aerial dance artist and Orts Theatre of Dance founder Anne Bunker  this month in a residence that will conclude with performance collaborations between her and  the UTDance Ensemble.

The performances, on March 28 at 8 p.m. and March 29 at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the University Theatre, are part of the School of Arts and Humanities’ fourth dance residency program.

Bunker will be in residence March 17 to 29.  UT Dallas faculty members Monica Saba and Michele Hanlon will work with her and UT Dallas students throughout the residency and performances.

Bunker is the artistic director of Tucson-based O-T-O Dance, the performing wing of Orts Theatre of Dance; and the co-director of the multi-disciplinary teaching company, Art Gecko.  She has taught dancers of all ages and abilities for 30 years in public and private educational and arts institutions.

Bunker’s professional experience includes Pilobolus Dance Theatre, the Bill T. Jones Company, the Cleo-Parker-Robinson Dance and the Ensemble Heights Dance Company.  She has toured throughout the United States, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, the United Kingdom, Mexico and Central and South America.

As a choreographer, Bunker has created more than 90 works since 1976.  She has produced commissioned choreography works for organizations such as Kim Robards Dance, Wishbone Dance Theatre, Webster Dance Theatre, the Jan Justis Dance Company, Arizona Dance Theatre, Arizona Theatre Company, Colorado Repertory Dance Company, In Motion Dance Theatre, Arts Express!, Semaphor Danceworks, Third St. Kids, Desert Voices and Odaiko Sonora.

In 1990, 1995 and 1997, the Tucson Arts District Partnership presented her with Artist-in-Residence awards.  In 1993 and in 2001, the Tucson Pima Arts Council awarded Bunker choreographer fellowships.  In 1994, the Arizona Commission on the Arts awarded her an Artist Project Grant.  Three years later, the Arizona Commission on the Arts gave Bunker a choreography award.

In 2005, she received the prestigious Artist Award from the Community Foundation of Southern Arizona and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Tucson Pima Arts Council.

More information about the residency and performances is available at http://ah.utdallas.edu/season0708/bunker-oto.htm.

Tickets for the performances are $20 for general admission and free at the door to UT Dallas students with valid Comet Cards.  UT Dallas ticket office hours are from 2 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and at the door one hour prior to concert time.  For advance ticket purchases using Visa, MasterCard or Discover, please call 972-883-2552. 

For information about the many musical, arts, theatre, dance and other performances and exhibitions held throughout the year at UT Dallas, please call 972-UTD-ARTS (972-883-2787) or e-mail utdarts@utdallas.edu.  People with disabilities in need of special accommodations may call 972-883-2982, Texas Relay Operator: 1-800-RELAYVV.

---