May 6, 2009

More than 350 Birmingham-area students in grades six through 12 will experience the thrill of live performance during a one-hour, interactive performance by H.T. Chen Dance Company. The performance is presented free by the Alys Stephens Center's Meet the Artist series, part of their ASC Arts in Action program. Arts in Action brings great education and outreach programs to more than 12,000 students, educators, and parents each season.

The program - "Eight Strokes and the Moving Word" - reveals the history behind Chinese calligraphy. A combination of dance works and vibrant video projections will guide students through a lesson in Chinese language and culture.

The performance will take place Thursday, May 7 at 10 a.m. at the Alys Stephens Center, 1200 10th Avenue South, on the UAB campus.

Choreographer H.T. Chen has been bridging East and West for decades. His company has created a uniquely Asian-American expression infusing Western modern dance with the strength and beauty of Asian tradition. The 12-member troupe is comprised of seven Chinese or Chinese-Americans, three Japanese and two Americans.

During its five-day residency in Birmingham, the company will give workshops at Birmingham-Southern College and the University of Montevallo, as well as two public performances Friday and Saturday at the Alys Stephens Center. During their first residency in the South, the company will present two of H.T. Chen's most distinctive works, "Heart of Grace" and "Big Brother." The 7:30 p.m. Friday, May 8, performance at the Alys Stephens Center will be followed by a "Meet the Performers" reception in the lobby. A matinee performance takes place at 2 p.m. Saturday, May 9. For information, call 205-975-2787 or visit www.AlysStephens.org.