Practicing what they teach

Young Chang

The old saying, “those who can, do, and those who can’t, teach,” won’t

apply this weekend at Orange Coast College’s Faculty Dance Concert. For

students, it’s a chance to watch professors practice what they teach. For

the faculty, it’s their night on stage.

During rehearsal, dance department chair Karen Shanley wrapped her

body around former faculty member Alvin Mayes’ lower back. He stepped

slowly sideways, hunched with Shanley on him. They danced as if with the

same breath, graceful, yet seemingly grieving to Samuel Barber’s

mournful-sounding “Adagio for Strings.”

This number, which the pair will perform at the concert tonight, will

be Shanley’s last before she retires next month after 24 years. If you

ask her, it’s a nice way to go.

“The students are very enthusiastic,” Shanley, 59, said. “They like

watching their teachers dance and they feel very proud of us.”

The concert is an annual tradition that she has performed in for 23

years. Ballet, jazz, modern dance, tap and Middle Eastern styles are

included in the show, which will feature about 10 faculty members. Last

year, more than 750 people attended. Organizers anticipate at least that

many this year.

The pieces were choreographed by OCC faculty and guest instructors.

Some dances will be solos, others will be duets and some will feature

groups.

Jose Costas, a full-time member of the dance department, will dance

two pieces. “Swing While You Can” is a jazz number with a “little bit of

Fosse mixed with my own experience.” Four people are involved in the

dance. The second piece, a solo called “Idilio de Danza,” is done in a

modern ballet style with some Spanish influence.

Costas, who also participated in last year’s concert, said his

audience will be surprised by the contrasts between the two dances. When

it comes to his students, he knows he will be warmly received.

“They talk about it all the time,” Costas said. “They’re excited about

the fact that the faculty can put on a show and dance.”

For Marilyn Hassaniah, a dance student at OCC who has been taught by

most of the faculty members performing, the show is a chance for her to

learn.

“I see their style and their personality on stage, and it kind of

encourages me to show my personality or my style on stage,” she said.

Mayes, who now teaches at the University of Maryland at College Park,

flew to Orange County from Maryland to dance his last number with

Shanley. The two had partnered often when he taught at OCC. From separate

coasts, each dancer viewed videotapes of the Samuel Barber piece. This

week they practiced in person, perfecting the lifts and acrobatic moves.

The choreographer of the dance, El Gabriel, had once told Mayes and

Shanley that he designed the moves exactly as he visualized Barber’s

adagio in motion. Gabriel was thinking of his two friends -- a couple who

lost their child and grieved.

To portray this, Shanley and Mayes move together but, at times,

awkwardly. The technique is intentional, to convey that the mourning

couple had trouble staying together but had to.

“The beauty,” Mayes said. “Is how you transcend that awkwardness.”

FYI

* WHAT: Orange Coast College’s annual Faculty Dance Concert

* WHEN: 8 p.m. today

* WHERE: OCC’s Robert B. Moore Theatre, 2701 Fairview Road, Costa Mesa

* COST: $9 to $12.

* CALL: (714) 432-5880