Unlike most artistic mediums, the language of dance stands the test of time as human's most natural expression of emotion. The dialects of such a language are as varied as each artist's imagination.
"Nothing is more revealing than movement," the late Martha Graham, a modern dance legend, once said.
However, as time passes, the movement and style in which dancers express their craft adapts to an evolving pop-culture.
When UB's Zodiaque Dance Company was formed 29 years ago by then-director Linda Swiniuch, it was born of a passion to educate students about dance majors' disciplines - ballet, modern, jazz and tap.
"I wanted their training to be broad," Swiniuch said. "I wanted them to respect all forms of dance."
In addition to Zodiaque, the efforts of Swiniuch's goals, nearly 30 years later, remain as strong - if not stronger - due to the dance and musical theater departments she founded.
In anticipation of their 30th anniversary this fall, the company will present "5,6,7,8...Countdown to Celebration 30!" on Feb. 13 to 16, and 20 to 23, at the Center for the Arts Drama Theater.
The show is comprised of eight pieces choreographed by UB faculty and guest choreographers. Each student of the 31-member company will perform in two to three pieces. One of them, guest choreographer Leslie Wexler's "Rapid Motion Through Space Elates One," returns from last semester's show by popular demand.
Lynne Kurdziel-Formato and Tressa Forman Crehan are interim directors of the company while Director Tom Ralabate, who took over from Swiniuch in 1998, is on sabbatical. Kurdziel-Formato described the theme of this semester's show as a retrospective of the last 29 years.
"In some pieces, they explore the idea of looking back at the past, (though) not specifically Zodiaque's past," said Kurdziel-Formato.
"With These Hands," choreographed by guest alumni Jody Dombrowski, uses music from Frank Wildhorn's musical "The Civil War." The performance utilizes the song's poetic narrative to extend the casualties of war from the vocal to the physical. Its dance idiom is much the same as the music's theatrical origin, but its physical vocabulary is altogether different.
Kurdziel-Formato said the shifting of performance art forms - dance, musical theater, and acting - allows for new ways to interpret inspiration. The amalgam of disciplines makes Zodiaque not only a well-rounded group, but a progressive one as well.
"Sometimes they might interject," Kurdziel-Formato said. "Every art form is becoming more integrative."
Her piece, the most modern of the evening's program, is titled "Cold Blood Suite." The addictions dancers face - smoking, drinking and doughnuts - are all dealt with humorously, set to the music of D. Porter, Isaac Hayes and Hull & Stoltie.
Danielle Sheather, a senior dance and psychology double major, who will perform in the piece, said the demons of over-indulgence are relevant, but said the piece adds a healthy alternative to the noxious nightmares it suggests.
"It's about relieving yourself from addiction, in a positive way," Sheather said. "Dance is one way you can do that."
As tight as the company is today, both artistically and personally, it has been a long road cumulating in productions like "5,6,7,8..." and last semester's predecessor, "1,2,3,4..."
This year, more than 150 dancers auditioned for 60 roles in both the Zodiaque Dance Company and the Zodiaque Studio Ensemble. While Studio Ensemble is a one-semester commitment, Dance Company is a full year.
At the end of the fall semester, there is a re-audition, which allows for minor adjustments to the group's rosters. It can also mean an opportunity for a dancer in the Studio Ensemble to transfer to the Dance Company.
"(The auditions) are highly competitive," Kurdziel-Formato said. "Everyone has strengths and weaknesses."
Jeanne Palmer-Fornarola, choreographer of the opening "Alphanumeric," praised the students' talent and professionalism.
"I guarantee the dancers you watch in this spring's Zodiaque you will see in the future on the professional stage," stated Palmer-Fornarola, in an e-mail.
"Alphanumeric" is unique from the other works in that it uses an old Sesame Street concept to introduce the theme of counting down.
"It explores elements of shape, pattern, space and design," Palmer-Fornarola stated. "Metaphorically, it represents our lives in perfect order one minute and complete chaos and oblivion the next."
Paul Lansky composed the music for "Alphanumeric" on an Apple iMac computer. The repetitious roll call of the alphabet and numbers sounds a bit like a children's book-on-tape, but Palmer-Fornarola said she is open for the piece to be interpreted any way the audience likes.
"I encourage the audience to look for whatever meaning they choose, but mostly it's a fun celebration of movement interpreted by a wonderfully witty and talented cast," she said.
Despite the fact that the celebration is premature to the actual 30th anniversary next year, the company is steadfast in delivering their best work for the concert.
Kurdziel-Formato takes the celebration one step at a time. "("5,6,7,8...") shows how far we've come," she said.
Tickets cost $12 and can be purchased at the Center for the Arts Box Office, by phone at 645-ARTS or all Ticketmaster locations.
Photo: Meredith Forrest Kulwicki
