Hutton Honors College

Dance, Darwin, and the Genome: Interactive Supper
with the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange

February 18, 2009

In Ferocious Beauty: Genome, renowned choreographer and MacArthur "genius" grant recipient Liz Lerman combines body movement, music, video, and spoken word to explore the modern world of science and its far-reaching impact on society. At this supper, students got to ask Liz Lerman, the founding artistic director of the company; Martha Wittman, a choreographer and dancer with the company; and Anya Peterson Royce, the IU professor who brought about the Liz Lerman Dance Exchange's residency at IU; about the company's innovative work and the inspirations for and experiences of creating its current and other productions.

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HHC student Courtney Ramm introduces Liz Lerman, Martha Wittman, and Anya Peterson Royce to the other students.

Liz Lerman talks about the choices she has made in her professional life, the varied worlds of dance, and the way she and her company approached science and scientists in the development of her most recent project, Ferocious Beauty: Genome. She also talked about the way she and members of her company immerse themselves in communities, listening and watching closely, to develop choreography that gives dance a power to illuminate and expand understanding, whether of advancing biotechnology or an economically distressed community.

Martha Wittman talks about memorable experiences working with the innovative Liz Lerman Dance Exchange.

Anya Peterson Royce talks to students about the Liz Lerman residency at IU and the way it has drawn together students and faculty from across the university and members of the community.