Cedar Lake II Dance Ensemble Comes to SU April 9-10

SALISBURY, MD---One of the most celebrated programs of its kind in the United States, Cedar Lake II dance ensemble, comes to Salisbury University’s Holloway Hall Auditorium Saturday-Sunday, April 9-10, as part of its first national tour. Performances are 8 p.m. Saturday, April 9, 2 p.m. Sunday, April 10. The Missouri-based Cedar Lake II, owned and co-founded by Nancy Walton Laurie, whose family founded Wal-Mart Stores Inc., the nation’s largest employer, is the second company in the New York dance franchise. Cedar Lake II, a collaboration of artistic director Karen Mareck Grundy and Cedar Lake Ensemble executive director L. Jen Ballard, was designed to provide an opportunity for audiences to experience and appreciate dance, acting, and allied art disciplines. Comprised of 14 youthful dancers, both male and female, Cedar Lake II is a training ground for up-and-coming performing artists. The company performs a mixed repertory program choreographed by Benoit-Swan Puffer, Lauri Stallings, L. Jen Ballard, Lisa Morovitz-Geger, Dean France, Jamar Roberts, Adam Houghland and Karen Mareck Grundy. Performers include Uthman Ebrahim, Sarah Wenneker Foster, Amanda Glennon, Laura Jones, Dion Christine Leonhard, Claire Magee, David McAllister, Meredeth Miles, Abby Pitchford, Megan Puffer, Matt Rich, Katie Walker, Shannon West and Zach Young. The Cedar Lake program continues to grow as its reputation in the dance world soars. Groundbreaking of its new Cedar Lake Creative Center in New York is scheduled in April with a spring 2006 opening. The center will include a flexible main theatre, four rehearsal studios, a recording studio, a screening room and an art gallery. The center will be the home not only of Cedar Lake’s parent dance ensemble, but the newly formed Cedar Lake Theatre Ensemble. The Office of Cultural Affairs and Museum Programs and SU Dance Company co-sponsor Cedar Lake II’s performance. Admission is free and the public is invited. For more information call 410-543-6271 or visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.