In between two nearly sold-out performances at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, cast members Jonathan Ragsdale and Jonas Shumpert from the Tony award-winning Broadway musical "Memphis" led a master class with UNL students in Intermediate-Advanced Modern Dance on Nov. 13.
During the two hour long session, Ragsdale and Shumpert taught the students two dance combinations pulled straight from the rigorous choreography used on stage in "Memphis."
Winner of four 2010 Tony Awards including Best Musical and inspired by actual events, "Memphis" is about a white radio DJ who wants to change the world and a black club singer who is ready for her big break during the Civil Rights era in the heart of the deep South. The cast of "Memphis" performed two nights (Nov. 12-13) at the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
As Ragsdale and Shumpert coached the class through the routine to “Everybody Wants to be Black on a Saturday Night," students were encouraged to ask questions about dance technique, and Ragsdale and Shumpert offered career advice to Broadway hopefuls.
“Nearly every performer that comes to the Lied Center is asked to participate in activities that offer UNL students a chance to connect with artists from all over the world right here on campus. This is a truly rare opportunity for the students of Nebraska to gain access to world class performers and work with the masters in their fields of study,” said Bill Stephan, Executive Director of the Lied Center for Performing Arts.
UNL dance students will perform in December at the Student Dance Project on Dec. 6-7. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. each night in Mabel Lee Hall Rm. 304. Tickets are $5 general and $3 for students/seniors and are available at the door.